White Lake, NY (May 26, 2026)

The Jewish community is mourning the petirah of Harav Shmuel Yosef Fishbain ZT”L, who served for many decades as the Rav of Congregation Beth Sinai/White Lake Torah Center in White Lake, New York.

Under his leadership, the shul became a central address for Torah, tefillah and year-round Jewish life in the Town of Bethel. Founded in 1975, Congregation Beth Sinai/White Lake Torah Center grew into a respected makom Torah closely identified with Rav Fishbain’s steady guidance, warmth and deep devotion to every member of the kehillah.

Rav Fishbain was born in Chicago in 1927 and was raised in a home defined by mesiras nefesh for Torah and chinuch. His father, a Chernobyler chossid, was niftar when Rav Fishbain was still young, after devoting himself to building authentic Jewish education in Chicago during a time when many families were not yet sending their children to yeshivos.

His mother was known for her exceptional chessed and hachnasas orchim, opening her home to leading gedolei Yisroel and maintaining a deep commitment to Torah values despite difficult circumstances. She ensured that her sons attended Yeshiva Torah V’Daas and that her daughters received a Bais Yaakov education.

Rav Fishbain went on to learn in Telshe Yeshiva, Yeshiva Torah V’Daas and Yeshiva Netzach Yisrael, where he later served as a Ram. He was a talmid of Hagaon HaRav Yisrael Gustman and maintained close connections with many gedolei Torah throughout his life.

Before arriving in White Lake nearly five decades ago, Rav Fishbain served as Rav in Hurleyville, where he was already known for his humility, warmth and personal care for every Yid.

Hamakom Yinacheim.