By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Avrohom Lipskier, a beloved educator who was the longtime Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivas Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown and later Yeshivas Tiferes Menachem in Sea Gate, and who introduced generations of Jewish students to Yiddishkeit and Chassidus, passed away on Thursday, 28 Elul, 5786.
He was 86.
R’ Avremel was born on 15 Adar 1, 5700, in Kutaisi, Georgia, to his parents R’ Yankel and Taibel Lipskier. He arrived in America with his family in 5708 and was zoche to be in Yechidus with the Frierdiker Rebbe. As a bochur he learned in 770, was sent by the Rebbe to Brunoy, France as part of the first kvutza of Shluchim in 5722.
Upon his return in 5723, in the early 1960s, while still a bochur, Rabbi Lipskier noticed the many young college students and “hippies” who came to 770 Eastern Parkway in search of meaning and inspiration. He took many of them under his wing, teaching them Torah and Chassidus and helping them discover their Jewish heritage.
He later joined the staff of the newly established Yeshiva Hadar Hatorah for Baalei Teshuva bochurim in Crown Heights.
He married Cirel (nee Baumgarten) on 11 Tishrei, 5726. In 5727, the couple was sent by the Rebbe on Shlichus to Milan, Italy.
In 1972, at the Rebbe’s instruction, Rabbi Lipskier and his wife moved to Morristown, New Jersey, where he was involved in the establishment of Yeshivas Tiferes Bachurim for young college students at the Rabbinical College of America, and where he guided thousands of students back to Yiddishkeit and the ways of Chassidus.
The Rebbe was personally invested in the development and growth of yeshivos for baalei teshuvah. When someone once referred to Hadar HaTorah, the Rebbe responded, “Ich hob gemacht der yeshiva,” meaning, “I founded that yeshiva.” The Rebbe also referred to baalei teshuvah as “meiner,” “my own.”
Through his warmth, patience and deep commitment to every student, Rabbi Lipskier helped countless young men build lives rooted in Torah and Chassidus.
In 1999, he established Yeshivas Tiferes Menachem in Sea Gate, Brooklyn, where he continued his lifelong mission of bringing the light of Yiddishkeit to those raised in secular environments.
Hundreds of Rabbi Lipskier’s students went on to become rabbonim and shluchim, while many hundreds more established vibrant Jewish families and became pillars of communities around the world.
Rabbi Lipskier was a revered figure in thousands of Chabad homes around the world, including those of the many students whom he taught, guided and inspired throughout a lifetime devoted to Jewish education and outreach.
He is survived by his wife Cirel and children, Chanie Kaminezki (Dnipro, Ukraine), Mendel Lipskier (Sherman Oaks, CA), Dinie Mangel (Cherry Hill, NJ), Shternie Backman (Glendale, CA), Chaya Mushka Silberberg (Crown Heights, NY) and Berel Lipskier (Crown Heights, NY), grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by siblings, Tzivia Jacobson, Esther Raskin, Leah Marmulstein, Rabbi Berel Lipskier, Rabbi Hirshel Lipskier, Rabbi Zalman Lipskier and Rabbi Shmuel Lipskier.
He was pre-deceased by his brother Fitzi Lipskier obm.
The Levaya will take place today, Thursday, passing by 770 at 3 PM and burial at Old Montefiore Cemetery at 4 PM.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
