BDE: Shock and Grief Envelopes Satmar, as Legendary Gabbai Taken in Horrific Accident

By: Yitzy Fried 

At around 1:30 a.m. early Tuesday morning, reports began to filter in about a terrible accident on the southbound New York State Thruway. 

Scores of emergency and rescue crews raced to the scene, and at least one car involved in the accident was engulfed in flames. 

Within a short while, the shocking news emerged that one of the victims of the accident was Reb Yidel Weinstock, z”l, a legend in Satmar, and a familiar, distinguished presence around the Admorim over the decades. 

He began his privileged calling of serving the Satmar Rebbeim in the days of the Beirach Moshe of Satmar, and has continued to stand alongside his son, Rav Zalman Leib of Satmar, shlit”a. He has traveled tens of thousands of miles around the world together with the Rebbes, and appeared along with them at functions throughout the world. 

He was also known as a great ba’al tzeddakah, and active in supporting institutions and individuals. He always had a ready smile and a good word for everyone. Satmar Chassidim relate how, in addition to making the rounds collecting for Kollel Shomrei Hachomos, he would always run over to anyone else who was collecting money and give them from his own money. "He never wasted a second," recalled another. "Whenever you came to the Rebbe's home, he was always sitting with a sefer, always learning. We are all shocked and speechless this morning," he said.  

His passing, under these tragic circumstances, has plunged the community into terrible shock. 

The Levaya will take place on Tuesday at 11:00 in front of the main Satmar Beis Medrash on Rodney Street, where he will be mourned and escorted by the Rebbe and thousands of chassidim who knew and admired him. 

Yehi Zichro Baruch.