We regret to inform you of the passing of Rabbi Mendel Okunov, a venerated chossid who grew up in the Soviet Union, maintaining a strong yiddishkeit with great mesiras nefesh, and went on to be a major force in the F.R.E.E. organization, dedicating his life to reaching out to Russian speaking Jews. He passed away on Wednesday, Ta’anis Esther • Full Story
We regret to inform you of the passing of Rabbi Mendel Okunov, a venerated chossid who grew up in the Soviet Union, maintaining a strong yiddishkeit with great mesiras nefesh, and went on to be a major force in the F.R.E.E. organization, dedicating his life to reaching out to Russian speaking Jews.
He passed away on Wednesday, Ta’anis Esther. He was 70 years old.
R’ Mendel was born and grew up in the USSR under the constant gaze of the KGB, who actively worked to counter Jewish life and activities in the country. He and his family maintained their yiddishkeit with great mesirus nefesh.
Following his arrival in the USA, Reb Mendel, devoted his life to the Rebbe’s Shlichus. He came to direct Yeshivas Ohel Dovid and Camp Gan Yisroel, both under the auspices of the Friends of Refugees from Eastern Europe, showing thousands of Russian speaking students the warmth and light of Yiddishkeit.
Reb Mendel embodied a true chossid. He showed tremendous love to all and was dearly loved by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Zahava, children Dovid, Levi Yitzchok, Aharon, Moshe, Yosef, Chaya Mushka Rutman, Bassia Rivkah, Sholom Dov Ber, Shneur Zalman, Shmuel, Yisroel Arye Leib and Boruch.
He is also survived by his siblings Rabbi Meir Okunov, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Okunov, and sister Mrs. Ita Altein.
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