IN TRIBUTE: Chazzan Eliezer Rubinstein, z"l

YS GOLD 

Earlier this week, the Boro Park communiy lost Reb Eliezer Rubinstein, a chazzan and a beloved personality who inspired many Yidden with his tefillos over more than half a century. He was 90 years of age. 

Chazzan Rubinstein was born in the Hungarian town of Makava to a prominent family. He would later recall the town of his childhood, and the pious Yidden who lived there. He learned in the local yeshiva, where he excelled. 

He was only ten years old when the Nazis arrived and placed him into a concentration camp. He was fortunate to survive, as were other members of his family. Returning to Makava following the war, he threw himself back into learning, even as he developed his talent of chazzanus. 

A few years later, he made his way to America. His beatiful voice attracted the attention of a number of congregations in New York, and he soon had a position as a chazzan of the famed Romanishe Shul on the Lower East Side of New York. Although only in his late twenties, he neverthless gained quite a reputation. Already then, he went on an extensive concert tour in America and Europe. He was also invited to Eretz Yisroel to sing. 

For many years, Chazzan Rubinstein served in Cincinatti, Ohio, before coming to Boro Park. Here he davened in the Bercher Shul on 16th Avenue, occassionally delighting the kehillah with his sweet davening. 

In his last years, he donated a Mikva Tahara to the Belzer community in Lakewood in memory of his beloved wife who passed away about 20 years ago. 

Reb Eliezer passed away over Shabbos, leaving behind a beatiful legacy of a life spent praising the Ribbono shel Olam with the talent that He gave to him. 

The levaya drew a large of friends, relatives, and admirers, to Shomrei Hadas on Sunday afternoon--men and women who will not soon forget the beloved chazzan who spent his last years in Boro Park. 

Yehi zichro baruch.