BDE: Mrs. Chana Friedman, a”h, Holocaust Survivor

YS GOLD 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Chana Friedman, a Boro Park resident for seventy years, and a matriarch of a large and prominent Torah family. She was 98 years of age, and survived the Holocaust. 

She was born in the town of Ratzfert. Her father was Reb Yechezkel Shraga Lebovics, a prominent personality in the town who was close to the legendary Rav Shulem Leizer Halberstam of Ratzfert, zt"l, Hy"d, a son of the Divrei Chaim. 

Along with two of her sisters, she escaped to Budapest, where they were fortunate to survive the war. Everyone else in her family was murdered al kiddush Hashem by the Nazis. 

Following the war, she married Reb Yitzchok Friedman of Nirbater, a son of Reb Chaim Friedman, Hy"d, in the DP Camp in Krumbach. He endured the infamous concentration camps, but nevertheless remained with his emunah intact, and began growing a full beard right after the war.  

After living in Williamsburg for a few years, the Friedmans came to Boro Park, where they were among the founders in the Satmar Beis Medrash on 53rd Street. Reb Yitzchok remained a fixture in the shul, and would learn there for many hours. He also davened in Nirbater, having known the family of the Nirbater Rov from back home. 

Both Reb Yitzchok and his wife worked in Korns Bakery on 16th Avenue. Many people remembered Mrs. Friedman from there. 

She has a remarkable memory. She was a wise and intelligent woman, and was social and friendly. She was lucid and sharp until her last day. 

With her passing, she leaves behind incredible Torah generations. Among her generations are dayonim and rabbonim. She remembered all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren by name, and loved them all dearly. 

The levaya will take place at the Satmar Beis Medrash on 53rd Street at 10:30 this morning. 

Yehi zichra baruch.