A terrible tragedy struck at Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim on Thursday when Shimon Mendlowitz z”l, a member of the Zvhiller chassidus and one of the distinguished bochurim connected to the Vizhnitzer court in Beit Shemesh, was killed after falling into a pit while visiting his grandfather’s kever on his first yahrtzeit.

According to sources, the bochur had come together with family members to Har HaMenuchos to mark the yahrtzeit at his grandfather’s kever. At some point during the visit, he went aside to a secluded area and slipped, falling into a deep pit. Tragically, he was niftar at the scene.

Bentzion Oering, commander of ZAKA’s Yerushalayim district, together with volunteers Dudi Pines and Yehuda Hanfling, described what they encountered upon arriving at the scene.

“When we arrived at the scene, we were directed to the multi-level burial area at Har HaMenuchos. The deceased had come to his grandfather’s grave with family members to mark the first anniversary of his passing. According to relatives, while he was in a dark area of the cemetery he slipped and fell from a significant height. Sadly, MDA teams were forced to confirm his death. ZAKA volunteers from the Yerushalayim district are handling the deceased with dignity and collecting the findings at the scene.”

The levayah was held tonight, departing from Beis HaLevayos Shamgar in Yerushalayim and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos, where he was brought to kevurah.

Shimon, 26, was born on the 18th of Adar 5760 to his father, Reb Binyamin Yitzchak Mendlowitz, a respected member of the Zvhiller chassidus and a melamed at a Talmud Torah in Beit Shemesh, and to his mother, Mrs. Malka Rachel of the Binder family.

His grandfather, Rabbi Mordechai Shmerel Mendlowitz, was among the leading transmitters of the mesorah of safrus for decades. He was widely known for his efforts in strengthening the field of safrus and was the first to initiate the project known as Shulchan HaSoferim, which serves thousands of sofrim. He passed away one year ago on the 16th of Adar 5785, and now his grandson was niftar on the very day of his grandfather’s first yahrtzeit.

In his youth, Shimon learned in the yeshivah of Zvhil and later continued his limud haTorah at Yeshivas Mir. He was closely connected to the Vizhnitzer chatzer in Beit Shemesh.

Friends related that just the night before the tragedy he had participated in the Purim tish at Zvhill in Yerushalayim.

“He went to the Rebbe for a bracha, and we are in shock from his sudden petirah,” friends said.

Yehi zichro boruch.