A Community in Mourning: The Legacy of Yisroel Shalom Oshry, z"l

YS Gold 

The Boro Park community, and Klal Yisroel more generally, remain in utter shock and mourning following the twin tragedy of the petirah of two of Boro Park’s finest yungeleit—individuals who were known for their devotion to others, and always seeking to bring joy to their fellow Yid, no matter their stature or their situation. 

BoroPark24 spoke with friends and family of the niftarim, and emerged with a portrait of individuals who were mature and sensitive way beyond their years—whose loss is an especially searing and painful one for their family, their loved ones, and their extended circle of friends who cannot find solace in the aftermath of this tragedy. 

Yisroel Shalom Oshry was born to his parents, ybl”ch, Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Baruch Oshry, in the Boro Park community. He was a descendant of Rav Ephraim Oshry, zt”l, the legendary rov of the Beis Hamedrash Hagodol on the Lower East Side of New York, and a talmid of the Slabodka Yeshiva in Europe.  

From the youngest age, Sruly showed deep sensitivity to his peers, his family, and his friends—a theme that would continue to grow over his short twenty-seven years on this earth. “He was always seen conversing with the weaker boys in yeshiva, those who struggled socially,” recalled a friend from the yeshiva. “He would sit with them during meals, and strengthen and uplift them.” 

This was the foundation of chessed of Sruly’s formative years; an open heart to everyone in need, a deeply loving person to one and all. As Hashem would bless Sruly with means, his chessed and tzedakah activities would manifest themselves to incredible levels… a heart so matured and attuned to his fellow Yid…levels unheard of for someone so young.  

An acquaintance who could not contain his emotions as we spoke about Sruly relates that there are dozens (!) of children enjoying camp this very summer season as a direct result of Sruly’s largesse. 

The sums that he distributed to his fellow Yidden—those whom he knew, and those whom he did not know, those from America, and those from overseas, to friends, and to friends of friends—boggle the mind. 

An ardent Belzer chossid—the Belzer mosdos had a special place in his heart. He was at the center of a number of buildings and acquisitions for Belzer shtieblach and institutions in Boro Park, in Monsey and beyond. 

"Just in recent weeks," a friend of his shared with BoroPark24, "our shteeble was in the process of purchasing a house for a new shul. And who do you think led the negotiations? Sruly, of course. Sadly, the shul will now be built in his memory."

Sruly’s heart was outsized. Every Klal Yisroel organization found an open door by him, but the plight of cholei Yisroel more than others. In his trademark quiet and unassuming manner, he footed the bill for entire transports of sick people from overseas. He paid for the apartments for their loved ones while they were in the states. This was in addition to he himself making his way to the bedsides of sick people to lend and ear, to give chizuk, and to uplift and heal. 

Friends relate that Sruly always remained the same sensitive boy of his youth. “Whenever anyone needed a listening ear, Sruly was there. He would take them out to eat or go with them for a walk—and they would always emerge uplifted and strengthened—never giving the impression that he had to go back to his myriads of business obligations,” related a grief-stricken friend. 

This was Sruly: He woke up in the morning, and went to sleep in the evening with one thought on his mind; how can I help make another Yid happy… how can I uplift a fellow Yid from his suffering. 

The gabbai at Sruly’s shtiebel relates how every appeal in the shul had one outsized donor who came in first and gave the most by far; Sruly Oshry. Another friend observed that one would expect a young man Sruly’s age who was blessed with means to splurge and spend on himself. But Sruly saw it differently; he understood that everything he had for others. 

Sruly’s chavrusa relates his mesirus nefesh to make time for learn. “He would literally tear himself away from his business and come running to the beis medrash to learn—this after an entire day at the office, often until 9:00 at night!”  

For all of his chessed and his ever-present smile for others, Sruly reserved his heart for his beloved young family, always making the most time for them and prioritizing them above all else. 

Tragically, they are now left alone and bereft—along with countless friends and beneficiaries of Sruly’s kindness and largesse. 

The tragedy seems to difficult to bear, and perhaps the words of a grieving friend can help put it into perspective. “It’s impossible to fill the void you left behind,” he writes. But together, we can try to emulate your personality. Try to be nice to every person, make everyone feel good, make everyone feel important—no matter how big or small they are. Take it from Sruly; make them feel even bigger! Make them feel special.”  

As friends, family, and the Boro Park community seek to cope with the shock and the loss, may Sruly’s shining example continue to illuminate and brighten the lives of the countless people that he touched. 

Yehi Zichro Burich.