BDE: Mrs. Reizel Bleich, a”h

YS Gold 

This past week, Mrs. Reizel Bleich—an Auschwitz survivor who rebuilt a beautiful Torah family—left this world at the age of 99. 

The nifteres was born in Salgótarján, a town near Budapest, where her father, R' Usher Zelig Rosenthal, ran a large department store where many other Jews and locals were employed. There, the  earned a nice and ehrlich income. She would always say, "We always had what we needed..."

It was an idyllic life in Salgótarján—until the Nazis, YM”sh, arrived in 1944 and sent the town’s Jews to Auschwitz, where most of Reizel’s family perished. 

Along with her brother Chaim, she survived the horrors of Auschwitz—two out of ten siblings. She never spoke much about what she witnessed, but rather focused on rebuilding from the ashes. 

She came to America where she married Reb Aaron Bleich, together with whom she built a beautiful Torah family. 

She was always full of life, always taking joy in the simple pleasures of life… taking walks, playing board games, getting sunlight and fresh air—and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. 

She remained active until her last days, and worked in a store on Lee Avenue until well into her nineties. 

Mrs. Bleich leaves behind an incredible legacy of optimism and perseverance, and a Torah family that continues in her beautiful ways. 

Yehi zichra baruch.