BDE: Mrs. Miriam Perl Mertz, a”h

We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Mertz, a”h. She was 94 years of age.

The nifteres was born in Vishive, Romania, to the Wegh family. Her maternal grandfather was the legendary Viznitzer chosid, Reb Avrohom Nissan Neiman. 

She went through the gehinom of Auschwitz. Her mother instructed her, “whatever happens, do not let your sister be alone.” So when Mengele, ym”sh, sent her and her entire family to the left, she smuggled over to where her sister was—a move that saved her life.  

When she survived the war, a young girl. Her paternal grandfather sent her pictures from Argentina. He wrote, “In all my years, I never took pictures. But I want you to remember where you come from.” 

Indeed, while so many of her friends chose a secular life, she remained steadfast in her Yiddishkeit. 

She married Reb Lipa Mertz in Bnei Brak, a Satmar chosid, and when they came to America they were instrumental in establishing the Satmar Beis Medrash on 10th avenue. 

The couple was not wealthy, but they gave of themselves above and beyond their abilities. 

They donated a cheder to satmer in Yerushalayim, and they donated a Sefer Torah. For years, she had twenty grandchildren learning in kollel, and they would each receive a monthly check from Mrs. Mertz. “She had her own kollel,” quipped a son. 

She was a learned woman, and for any questions in the Satmar womens section, everyone would turn to her. 

The nifteres leaves behind a golden chain of generations who uphold the beautiful ways that she and her husband set before them.  

The Levaya took place at the Satmar Beis Medrash in Willimaburg and later in Monroe, where she was interred in the Satmar Beis Hachaim. 

Yehi Zichra baruch.