BDE: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Aronow, 93, OBM

With great sadness we report the passing of Rabbi Menachem Mendel (Hakohen) Aronow OBM, an elder chossid in Toronto, Canada. He passed away on Tuesday, the 5th of Tammuz, 5781.

He was 93 years old.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Aronow was born to his parents Horav Hatomim Reb Yehoshua Zelik Hahkohen and Rebbetzin Chava on the 6th of Shvat 5688 (1928) in Orsha USSR near the town of Lubavitch.

As a young boy he learnt in the underground Tomchei Temimim with great Mesirus Nefesh, and after his fathers passing in 1942, he helped care for his Mother and sister (Mrs. Rivkah Ceitlin).

He was a Shochet and Sofer with a direct Mesorah from the Alter Rebbe’s Sofer Reb Reuven. He left Russia together with Rebbetzin Chana listed as her son, and had the Zechus of assisting her with great Mesiras Nefesh.

After marrying his wife Golda o”h in France in 1951, he moved to Toronto where he was from the founders of the Lubavitch community there. He was a Shochet and a Sofer and had a local Judaica store, and was a Mapshpia of Anash, made countless baaly teshuva and revered by all other Chassidishe dynasties as well.

One non Lubavitch Rov said about him “Reb Mendel is in Toronto over 60 years, but he still never left Russia.” Reb Mendel was Zoche to see five generations Mekushor to the Rebbe.

He is predeceased by his wife, Mrs. Golda Aronow OBM, just over a month ago.

He is survived by his children, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aronow (Kfar Chabad, Israel), Rabbi Zelig Aronow (Florida), Mrs. Breyna Langzam (Crown Heights), Mrs. Bracha Wilhelm (Toronto, Canada), Mrs. Esther Rochel Moscowitz (Chicago), and Mrs. Sara Notik (Chicago).

The Levaya will take place Wednesday, and will be passing 770 at approximately 3:30pm.

Shiva information to be announced.

Boruch Dayan Hoemes

One Comment

  • Moshe Aron Shomer

    Rabbi Menachem Mendel Aronow was my Mashpia from 1979 to 1989, in fact I bought a house on his street to be close to him.
    He often would farbreng between Sukkas to Pesach till mincha. He was one of the four old timer real chosids in Toronto and the last one to survive.
    I attended his weekly shuir for decades and still have his special mezuzah he wrote for my wedding in 1979.
    40 years ago he was my eldest son’s sandek, Rabbi Aronow asked me just before my chupah and Rabbi Avraham Parshan asked me just after. I told Rabbi Parshan it was taken but he could have number two.
    May his family be comforted with the other mourners of Zion.

    Moshe Shomer