BDE: Mrs. Raya Rivkin, 92, OBM

With great sadness we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Raya Rivkin obm, a long time resident of Crown Heights, who passed away on 9 Nissan, 5779. She was 92 years old.

Raya was born on Gimmel Tammuz to R’ Yosef Yehuda and Ita Henya Chein. Her paternal grandfather, R’ Mayer Simcha Chein, was the illustrious chosid as well as a yoetz of the Rebbe Rashab. Her father was sent by the Frierdike Rebbe, R’ Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, to teach Jewish children near the city of Novgrod, risking his life to continue spreading Judaism.

At 18, Raya was the last of her family to leave Russia towards the end of WWII. She stayed behind working as an underground courier with R’ Mendel Futerfas and others, risking their lives to secure visas for their fellow Jews desperate to escape Russia.

Raya and her husband, R’ Chonye Rivkin Obm, from the Rivkin’s of Klimavitch -who’s ancestry dates directly back to the Alter Rebbe’s brother R’ Mordchai Pevsner, both emigrated to America in 1953 with their two young children.

She continued to help people by being a baalas Tzedaka within the Crown Heights community,  where people know for her kindness and love for helping others.

Raya built a successful jewelry business and worked for over 40 years.

She is survived by her daughter Riva Cohen (Crown Heights), and her son Mayer Rivkin (Florida), grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The Levaya will take place tomorrow, Monday, leaving Shomrei Hadas in Boro Park at 1pm, and passing by 770 at 2 pm.

Baruch Dayan Hoemes