Gutnick Family Welcomes Torah in Mother’s Memory

A new Sefer Torah was dedicated today with a joyous ceremony, which began with a procession marching through the streets of Crown Heights accompanied by lively music and dancing. The new Torah was dedicated in the memory of Rebbetzin Devorah Gutnick OBM by her children.

The procession began on Kingston Avenue and Montgomery Street where it proceeded to the Reinitz Shul (Oholei Torah Mesivta).

Rebbetzin Devorah Gutnick was born in Shepparton, Australia, in 1927 to Reb Avrohom and Zelda Feiglin. Her father was the eldest child of Reb Moshe Zalmen and Shprintza Leah Feiglin, the first Chabad family to settle in Australia in 1929 from Eretz Yisroel.

Rebbetzin Devorah Gutnick served faithfully, alongside her husband Rabbi Sholem Gutnick ybl”t, as rebbetzin of Caulfield shul for over 48 years. Her family connection to the Lubavitcher Rebbe was a close one.

She merited receiving detailed and encouraging letters, as well as many blessings from the Rebbe throughout her life. In 1954 at the behest of the Rebbe, she founded the N’shei Chabad Women’s organization and was its president for over 35 years.

In the late 1980’s the Lubavitcher Rebbe called for the establishment of special Torah-study groups, where older people could learn and study Torah in the companionship of others of similar age. Rebbetzin Gutnick established such a group in Melbourne entitled Tiferes Chochmas Noshim, which till today gathers on a weekly basis.

She passed away on the 23 of Elul 5775, 2015, after spending her final Shabbos at home with her family.

The new Torah was sponsored by Reb’ Meyer and Shaindy Gutnick and Family.