Another Great Chassid has passed away

gryp ↓

Wed, May 18 2005, 12:20 pm

R' Berel Junik has passed away after a long illness. baruch dayan emes.

from Shmais:

With sadness we inform you of the passing of Rabbi Dovber (Berel) Junik passed away this morning in Brooklyn, NY, after a long illness. He was 77 years old.

The Levaya will take place today-Wednesday. Leaving Shomrei Hadas @ 12:00noon and passing by 770 @ lerech 12:30pm.

Rabbi Junik will be laid to rest in the "Old Chelke" across from Rebbetzin Chana and in close proximity to the Ohel.

Rabbi Dovber (Berel) Junik was born in the Soviet Union to a devotedly Chassidishe family. After World War II he escaped the Communists and moved to America. Several years later he married Russian-born Fruma Pewvzner; Fruma's father had been murdered in a Siberian gulag.

Together they raised a family in a new land as Berel's reputation as an expert stonecutter grew within the tight and exclusive world of the New York's Diamond District.

True to his nature, Berel's passion lay elsewhere. He used his sharp eye and steady hand to teach shochtim-in-training the intricate art of shechita-knife preparation.

Also, when he escaped Russia, he did so with Rebbetzin Chana Shneerson, posing as her son. He remained close with her -- and soon afterwards became a devoted Chasid of her son, the Rebbe. This relationship defined much of his and his family's life for over five decades.

He is survived by his wife Fruma, six sons, two daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, three brothers, sister and nephews and nieces. Many of them were at the hospital with him over the last several days, sometimes forty strong filling the hospital room: davening together and singing the Chassidishe niggunim he loved and had taught them to love. After all the men and boys present put on tefillin this morning, Reb Berel passed on.

The family has asked us to thank all the family of Chassidim for their support and tefilos over the last several years and especially over the last few weeks. May the Giver of all life only increase our simchas.