BDE: Mrs. Shifra Stone, 80 OBM
With great sadness we report the passing of Mrs. Shifra Stone OBM, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and educator. She passed away suddenly on Sunday, the 3rd of Elul, 5786.
She was 80 years old.
Rebbetzin Stone was born to Rabbi Eliyahu and Rebbetzin Sarah Machlis OBM, pioneers in the world of Jewish education and leaders of Yeshivas Ohel Moshe.
Following her marriage to Rabbi Avraham Stone, she and her husband went out in 5733 (1973) as Shluchim of the Rebbe to spread Torah and Yiddishkeit in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn.
For decades, Rebbetzin Stone worked devotedly alongside her husband in the Young Israel of Vanderveer Park and Adas Yeshurun communities in Flatbush, where she became a respected and central figure in community life.
She stood steadfastly at her husband’s side throughout his decades of holy work at ULY Ocean Parkway and Tomchei Temimim, as well as in his Torah and Chassidic endeavors. She supported and assisted him in writing his articles and in his efforts to disseminate Torah and Chassidus, including the publication of books on Chassidus and the Rebbe’s holy talks, as well as articles he published in The Jewish Press and other publications for more than 40 years.
Following the passing of her mother, Rebbetzin Stone joined her brother, Rabbi Dov Machlis, in the administration of Yeshivas Ohel Moshe, where she served for more than 30 years.
She was particularly devoted to the Mivtza Chinuch campaign, working to bring children from public schools into Jewish education based on the purity of Torah and mitzvos. She was also active in Mivtza Taharas Hamishpacha, assisted extensively with shidduchim, and maintained a home that was always open to guests and to those in need of assistance.
For many years, she delivered classes for the women of Flatbush. She was meticulous about davening with a minyan and in shul, proper head covering, and sharing in the joyous occasions of the families in the community.
Rebbetzin Stone is survived by her husband, Rabbi Avraham Stone, and their children: Rabbi Levi Stone (Westport, CT), Rabbi Yisroel Stone (Manhattan, NY), Mrs. Malka Rivkin (New Orleans, LA), and Rabbi Mendy Stone (Crown Heights), along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including shluchim throughout the United States.
She is also survived by her siblings: Rabbi Mordechai Machlis (Jerusalem, EY), Rabbi Gedaliah Machlis (Boro Park, Brooklyn), Rabbi Dov Machlis (Flatbush, Brooklyn), and Mrs. Mashi Schatzkes (Lakewood, NJ).
The levaya will take place Monday, the 4th of Elul, at the following locations:
12:15 p.m. — Yeshivas Ohel Moshe, 7914 Bay Parkway
12:30 p.m. — Adas Yeshurun, 3418 Avenue N
12:45 p.m. — Stone Family Home, 1051 E. 28th Street
1:30 p.m. — 770 Eastern Parkway
2:30 p.m. — The Ohel, Old Montefiore Cemetery
Shiva will take place at 2215 Avenue I.
Baruch Dayan Hoemes
