Thousands gathered in Yerushalayim on Wednesday to accompany Rav Moshe Mordechai Chalkowski zt”l, a revered mechanech and man of chessed, to his final resting place. He was 86.

Rav Chalkowski served for decades as the spiritual director of Neve Yerushalayim Seminary and was among the founders and longtime gabbai of the Perushim Shul in the Givat Shaul neighborhood.

Born in England on the 9th of Teves 5698 (1938), he was the son of Rav Meir and Mrs. Devorah Chalkowski. From a young age, he displayed a deep commitment to Torah and avodas Hashem.

He later married Mrs. Rachel Chalkowski, know as “Bambi,” a well-known midwife who served for many years as the head of the delivery room at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. She is the daughter of Rav Yona Bamberger of France, who was involved in helping Jews escape Eastern Europe, at times facilitating their passage to neutral Switzerland before being captured by the Gestapo, after which his fate remained unknown.

Mrs. Chalkowski was awarded the Yakir Yerushalayim Honor in recognition of her decades of service and dedication to acts of kindness, having helped bring tens of thousands of children into the world over the course of fifty years.

Together, the couple built their home in Yerushalayim, which became a center of kindness and generosity. Rav Chalkowski was known as a devoted oveid Hashem, whose home was open to those in need and whose life was marked by genuine compassion.

Over more than fifty years at Neve Yerushalayim Seminary, he guided and inspired generations of students, drawing thousands of young women closer to Torah and mitzvos with unwavering dedication. To many, he was not only a teacher, but a father figure, mentor, and trusted guide. His counsel was sought by countless individuals, and his words, delivered with calm and clarity, illuminated the path for many.

In addition to his work at the seminary, he played a central role in the Perushim Shul, where he was among its founders and served faithfully as gabbai for many years. He also delivered shiurim at other shuls in the neighborhood, building a devoted group of talmidim who remained closely connected to him.

Rav Chalkowski maintained close relationships with leading gedolei Torah in the community, including Rav Shlomo Wolbe and Rav Mordechai Zuckerman, from whom he drew inspiration and guidance.

Throughout his life, he bore personal suffering with remarkable strength and acceptance, serving as a living example of enduring hardship with dignity and faith.

The levayah began at 2 Rechov Panim Meiros in Yerushalayim, proceeded through the Perushim Shul on Rechov Rav Amram Gaon in Givat Shaul, and was attended by large crowds before continuing to Har HaMenuchos for kevurah.

The family is sitting shivah at his home, located at 3 Rechov Azriel in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Yerushalayim.

{Matzav.com}