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BDE: Rabbi Hertz Frankel, z”l, Legendary Satmar Principal and Spokesman

BDE: Rabbi Hertz Frankel, z”l, Legendary Satmar Principal and Spokesman

We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of Rabbi Hertz Frankel, a Boro Park resident for many decades. He was 90 years of age.

Reb Hertz was a legend, a right hand of the Divrei Yoel of Satmar, a fearless spokesman for Satmar, and—despite his deep Galician roots, and his more modern dress—came to appreciate the zealous philosophy of the Divrei Yoel, his deep scepticism of the status quo of American Jewry, and his desire to transplant the Yiddishkeit of der heim without apology.

He was born in the town of Lizensk, to his father, Rav Menashe Frankel, the last Rov of the town, and a scion of great Rabbinic dynasties, in the year 1930. With the arrival of WWII, the family fled through Uzbekistan, ane they were miraculously spared. They arrived in America in 1948, and Rav Menashe served as a distinguished Rov in East New York.

He soon distinguished himself through his talent and brilliance, and was entrusted by the Satmar Rebbe to serve as the principal of Beis Ruchel d’Satmar— an institution that would grow exponentially, to many thousands of students, under his leadership.

But, far more than a principal; he was a bridge from Satmar to the outside world, serving as its primary spokesman whenever the need arose. And there were many.

In 2015, he published a memoir, `The Satmar Rebbe and his English Principal,” in which he takes his readers through his journey, to the many battles that were fought for the cause of Torah Yiddishkeit in America, and its flourishing on these shores. He played a pivotal role in the growth of Satmar, only returning when he was into his eighth decade.

All the while, he resided in Boro Park, and moved to Lakewood a few years ago to be near his children.

With his passing this shabbos, we bid farewell to another link to leeward Yiddishkeit, and to a legend that lived within our midst.



Memory Lane: Rav Avraham Ever Hirschowitz
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BDE: Mrs. Mindy Kugelman, a”h
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