BDE: Reb Sheftel Kugelman, z”l

YS Gold 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Shefta Zev (Sheftel) Kugelman, z”l, a one of the senior, chashuve Stoliner chassidim in the Boro Park community, and a longtime mechanech in Boro Park. He was 88 years of age. 

The niftar was born in Germany, as the Hitler youth were marching beneath the window. His father was Reb Naftoli Kugelman, who hailed from generations of upstanding yekkishe Yidden. 

Reb Sheftel would be known by generations of Stoliner chassidim in Brooklyn for the meticulousness in Torah and mitzvos that he inherited from his yekkishe ancestors. For decades, he regularly made the long trek to daven in Stolin, located more than a mile from his home, even into his eighth decade of life—rarely missing a Shabbos tefillah or an early Shachris in his makom kavuah. 

Reb Sheftel spent his life in chinuch. Many decades ago, he was one of the first shomer Shabbos bus drivers in Boro Park, driving the children to and from Yeshiva Be’er Shmuel. In later years, he was an English principal in the Krasna Yeshiva, in addition to his decades in the classroom in Chadorim and yeshivos. 

The niftar is remembered by generations of campers as the tireless director of the Sheves Achim day camp—one of the first in Boro Park—and recall Reb Sheftel’s dedication to giving them summers to remember. 

He is remembered by multiple generations of young chassidim as a demus of an upstanding Torah Yid, and he leaves behind generations who follow in his ways. 

The Levaya will take place this morning at 10:00 at the Stoliner shul on 16th Avenue and 48th Street, and will pass the Stoliner yeshiva approximately at 10:30. Kevurah will be in Deans, New Jersey. 

Yehi zichro baruch.