Shmuel Leib (L) with his son Shimon (Spencer) at his Graduation from the Police Acadamy

It is with great sadness we inform you of the passing of Reb Shmuel Leib (Stu) Straus OBM, 66, a longtime resident of Crown Heights.

Reb Shmuel Leib came to Crown Heights from Seattle, Washington where he founded the Lubavitcher Shul, starting out of his garage there and later moving in to the ‘big shul’ where Rabbi Alter Levitin now serves as Rabbi. After moving to Crown Heights he founded another Shul in his basement on St. Johns Place.

He is survived by his wife, Nechama, and his children Mordechai (Mark) (Seattle, WA), Shloimy (Steven) (Seattle, WA), Shimon (Spencer) (Crown Heights).

The Levaya will be tomorrow morning, Friday and will be leaving from Shomrim Hadas Chapel and 9:00 am and will be passing by 770 at 9:30 am.

Baruch Dayan Hoemes

Boruch Dayan Hoemes – Reb Shmuel Leib Straus OBM

Shmuel Leib (L) with his son Shimon (Spencer) at his Graduation from the Police Acadamy

It is with great sadness we inform you of the passing of Reb Shmuel Leib (Stu) Straus OBM, 66, a longtime resident of Crown Heights.

Reb Shmuel Leib came to Crown Heights from Seattle, Washington where he founded the Lubavitcher Shul, starting out of his garage there and later moving in to the ‘big shul’ where Rabbi Alter Levitin now serves as Rabbi. After moving to Crown Heights he founded another Shul in his basement on St. Johns Place.

He is survived by his wife, Nechama, and his children Mordechai (Mark) (Seattle, WA), Shloimy (Steven) (Seattle, WA), Shimon (Spencer) (Crown Heights).

The Levaya will be tomorrow morning, Friday and will be leaving from Shomrim Hadas Chapel and 9:00 am and will be passing by 770 at 9:30 am.

Baruch Dayan Hoemes

19 Comments

  • Seattle

    What a loss. I have such fond memories of growning up in Seattle and going to NELM in the Strauss’s garage and playing in the empty pool.
    Baruch Dayon Haemes

  • SAT NEXT TO HIM IN SHUL

    What a wonderful person, just being next to him changed the atmosphere. I will truly miss him.

  • Leah

    BH“
    He will be greatly missed. His family was what brought me back to yiddishkeit. My husband will miss the endless shabbos rummy kube games(back in seattle). He was an awesome ”STRAUSS”
    Mrs. Leah Walker-Pedowitz

  • Moshe Gelber

    I am shocked and saddened at this sudden and tragic loss.

    Stu Strauss is a generous man, who spent his life helping others.Any time someone needed a favor, a bed, a meal, a loan , or just a kind word, Stu was always there to help.

    He would always say something funny to brighten your day.

    The world needs more good people like Stu Strauss.

  • Emanuels, formerly of Seattle

    We love you and miss you! Our deepest condolences to Nechama, Shimon and the rest of the mishopacha. Our dear, dear friend…

  • Tatyana and Arkadiy

    We are very sorry of what happened. We will miss Stuard very much. He was a very nice person and a good friend.
    Our dippest condolences to Nechama,Shimon and to all family.
    We will always remember you in our hearts.
    Love, Arkadiy and Tatyana

  • Tatyana and Arkadiy

    We are very sorry for what happend We are going to miss Stuard he was a nice person and a very good friend
    We will remember Stuard in our hearts
    Our dippest condolences to Nechama and the family.
    Love, Arkadiy and Tatyana

  • PAUL DANIEL NYPD SHOMRIM SOCIETY

    To the Strauss family,

    Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Reb Shmuel Leib Straus. He will be missed by all.

    Paul Daniel
    NYPD
    Shomrim Society

  • Rachel Greenberg

    Stuy was a such a sweet, generous guy with a great sense of humor. It is hard to think that such a big personality has been extinguished.

    Stuy and Nechama graciously hosted the shul shul in their garage for many years. They opened their home and their hearts to needs of the community.

    Nechama, may you and your family be comforted among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalyim.

    Rachel Greenberg
    Seattle, WA

  • shmuli

    I really miss shmuel leib and i hope his legacy of kindness,generosity, and humor live on in those he leaves behind. may they be comforted among the mourners of zion and jerusalem!

  • yossi

    OY! may you and your family be comforted among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalyim.

  • szm

    Didn’t Know him very well.
    however, I met Shmuel Leib this year.
    He was a very nice man. there was something special about him. he seemed very committed to Yidishkeit.

    He raised a wonderful Son. Spencer. Hashem should bless the whole family

  • Lewis and Andrea Filler

    Stu was a prince among men. We have the fondest memories of him.

    Nechama, may HaShem comfort you and your family among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.

    Lewis and Andrea Filler

  • Elisheva Loudon

    Nehema and Stewey were wonderful to me and my family in Seattle as I made my journey back to Yiddishkeit, their house and family were an institution here and they were like parents to us. I can hear Stewey laughing now outside the old Shul in Seattle on 65th St. He will me missed.

    Elisheva Loudon of Seattle Washington

  • Leah

    BH”
    Elisheva you phrased that so perfectly I too know the feeling of them being like parents to berel and I. When you said the laughing thing you forgot how he used to have this silly grin and put his hand on his chin a certian way. Every day my husband and I think of something else we are going to miss about him. I also cant stop thinking of the story he told me as a kid growing up playing stickball. I just want every one in the rest of the family to be healthy.
    Have a gut shabbos Strauss family…
    Leah