BDE: Reb Yosef Yoel Grossman, z”l, Spinka Rosh Hakohol

YS GOLD 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Yosef Yoel Grossman, a native of Spinka and a lifelong Spinka Chossid and supporter. He was 97 years of age. 

Reb Yosef Yoel was born in the town of Spinka, Romania, close to one hundred years ago, and belonged to the family of the Imrei Yosef of Spinka. 

He merited to see the Chaka Yitzchok of Spinka, Hy”d, on a number of occasions when he returned to Spinka (he had been residing in Selish and Munkatch during the interwar period), and always recalled how the entire town bustled with excitement at the Rebbes arrival. He is likely the last person who was alive to remember the Chakal Yitzchok. 

Immediately upon his arrival in America, he set about rebuilding Spinka. He helped purchase the Beis Medrash and stood at the rebbes side throughout the building process. 

Spinka was his lifeblood. He did well in business, and was a great Ba’al tzeddakah—especially for the Spinka institutions. Everything in Spinka went through Reb Yoel. For everything that was needed, Reb Yoel was there. 

He would always speak at every event of the chassidus—and over the last fifty years, rarely an event went by where the Rebbe shlit”a didn’t mention Reb Yoel Grossman and all that he did for the chassidus.  

His davening was always with deep warmth and bren… in the Spinka Nusach, and until recently, he would speak with the Rebbe by phone every day. 

The levaya will take place at 1:30 at Shomrei Hadas (to watch it live click here) and at 2:00 at the Spinka Shul on 56th Street. Reb Yoel will be laid to rest on the plot of Kehal Chakal Yitzchok in Deans, New Jersey. 

Yehi zichro baruch.