Elyakim Rosenblatt
Rabbi Elyakim Rosenblatt zt"l | |
|---|---|
| Title | Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Kesser Torah |
| Personal | |
| Born | 1933 |
| Died | March 27, 2019 (aged 85–86) |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Spouse | Mrs. Trani Rosenblatt |
| Children | Batsheva Rothberg (née Roenblatt) Yaakov Moshe |
| Parent(s) | Yechiel Michel Sara |
| Denomination | Orthodox Judaism |
| Alma mater | Beth Medrash Govoha Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim |
| Position | Rosh Yeshiva |
| Yeshiva | Yeshiva Kesser Torah |
| Main work | Ohr Lensivisi |
| Yahrtzeit | 20 Adar II, 5779 |
| Buried | Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, NY |
| Residence | Queens, NY |
| Semikhah | Yoreh Yoreh Yadin Yadin |
Rabbi Elyakim Getzel Rosenblatt was the founder and rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Kesser Torah, a yeshiva in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens. He was born in 1933 in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, and founded his yeshiva, Yeshiva Kesser Torah, in the 1970s.[1]
Biography
Rosenblatt was born in 1933 in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn.[1] His maternal grandfather was Rabbi Yaakov Aizer Dubrow, the rav of Kesher Israel in Washington D.C..[2] He attended Yeshiva Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin for elementary and high school, before going to learn in the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland and the Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim in Williamsburg.[1] Due to a his wanting to dorm, in 1951, at the age of 18, he went to learn in Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, NJ and became a student of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, whom he served tea to every day. While there, he was appointed the "veker" of the yeshiva, or someone who wakes everyone up for shacharis. Among the people who he woke every day was Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, a leading rabbi of today's generation.[3] Shlomo Carlebach was his study-partner there for some time.[4] In 1958, he married his wife, Mrs. Trani Rosenblatt, who would remain with him for the rest of his life and would one day be referred to by Rabbi Rosenblatt as "my partner in Torah".[4] Rabbi Rosenblatt returned to Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim, then located in Queens, NY at the age of 27, and became a student of Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz. Both Rabbi Henoch Leibowitz and Rabbi Aharon Kotler are both known to be the teachers of Rabbi Rosenblatt.[5][6][3]
Rosenblatt remained in Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim where he became a ninth grade mussar rebbi. Among his students from Chafetz Chaim are Rabbi Dovid Harris. He eventually went on to become a rabbi in Corona, Queens where he and his wife inspired non-religious Jews, teaching Torah and hosting them for Shabbos meals.[3] His students in Corona urged him to open a yeshiva.[1]
In the 1970s, Rosenblatt opened Yeshiva Kesser Torah in the Briarwood section of Queens. Interestingly, the yeshiva was named after a sefer. 1980, a dorm was built. The yeshiva remained in Briarwood for several year. In 1994, a rebbi in the yeshiva suggested that they relocate to Kew Gardens Hills, where they would be able to attract more people.[4] Rosenblatt agreed and a plot was purchased in the center of Kew Gardens Hills' Jewish community.
Many stressed Rosenblatt's love for all Jews.[1][5] His classes in Yeshiva Kesser Torah were geared toward Jews of all backgrounds and professions.[3] Over 500 of his classes are available for free online.[7]
On March 27, 2019, Rosenblatt passed away.[8] His funeral was held at Yeshiva Kesser Torah that same day and he was buried at the Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, NY.[6]
Works
Rabbi Rosenblatt authored four sefarim on the Torah, under the name Ohr Lensivisi.[9] Rabbi Rosenblatt was also known to be very musical, and it's said Rabbi Aharon Kotler would ask him and two other students in the Beth Medrash Govoha to sing at shalosh seudos of Shabbos.[1] He composed many songs which are available on his Shaar Haneginah CDs.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Garber, Susie. "Remembering Rabbi Elyakim Getzel Rosenblatt On His First Yahrzeit". Queens Jewish Link | Connecting the Queens Jewish Community.
- ^ "Rabbi Yaakov Aizer Dubrow - A Pioneer of Chabad in the U.S." www.chabad.org.
- ^ a b c d [1][dead link]
- ^ a b c Garber, Susie. "Queens Community Mourns The Passing Of HaRav Elyakim Getzel Rosenblatt, Rav Of Yeshiva Kesser Torah". Queens Jewish Link | Connecting the Queens Jewish Community.
- ^ a b Editor, Y. W. (March 28, 2019). "Levaya of HaRav Elyakim Rosenblatt ZATZAL, Rosh Yeshiva of Kesser Torah In Queens".
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Rav Eliyakim Rosenblatt zt"l | Matzav.com".
- ^ "TorahAnytime.com". www.torahanytime.com.
- ^ "Rabbi Elyakim ROSENBLATT Obituary - Forest Hills, NY". Dignity Memorial.
- ^ "Store | Yeshiva Kesser Torah".