By COLlive Reporter
Mrs. Leah Block, Shlucha in London, Ontario, Canada for 50 years, passed away on Shabbos morning, 25 Elul 5773.
She was 79.
Mrs. Block was the daughter of the distinguished Chosid R’ Eliyahu Nochum Sklar who learned in Lubavitch, and prepared the parchment for the Moshiach’s Sefer Torah written in 5730.
Mrs. Block stood beside her husband, Dr. Yitzchak Block, in spreading Judaism in London, Ontario, hosting dozens of people every Friday night and Shabbos day, and bringing many people closer to Yiddishkeit.
Together, the Blocks established and ran the London Hebrew Day School and Chabad on Campus at the University of Western Ontario where Dr. Block was a professor.
Mrs. Block opened and directed the city’s only women’s Mikvah, hosted monthly Rosh Chodesh women’s gatherings and founded and taught in the ‘Gan Gani’ preschool in London.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Yitzchak Block and children: Rabbi Chaim Block – Shliach in S. Antonio, Texas, Rabbi Levi Block – Shliach in Westfield, NJ, Rabbi Mendy Block – Shliach in Plano, Texas, Mrs. Chani Zalmanov – Shluchah in Hollis Hills, Queens, Rabbi Shmuli Block – Shliach in Melbourne, Australia, Mrs. Rivkie Baron – Crown Heights, Mr. Avraham Block, and Mrs. Bassie Gurkow – Shlucha in London, Ont. Canada.
Levaya and Shiva
The levaya will be passing by Chabad Gate, Toronto, Sunday at 12:00 pm.
The Levaya in New York will be held Monday, 27 Elul, passing by 770 at 9:00 am and at 10:00 am at the main gate of Montefiore Cemetery on Springfield Blvd.
Shiva will be at the Baron residence, 1385 Carroll St. bet. Kingston and Albany. (5 minyanim needed).
Shacharis 8:30 am
Mincha 7:00 pm
Maariv – bezmano, until Rosh Hashana.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
such a fine lady, I was her guest when I went to speak for her…. I will never forget her special aidelkeit, and dignity.. boruch dayan haemes..
Baruch dayan HaEmes. Lilly-Leah was a very special person and will be sorely missed. Her smile and her laugh could take away all worries! I met the Block’s many years ago in London – Dr. and Mrs. Block were actually extraordinary! Open, warm hearts – full of Chassidishe emes – may their children continue to carry on and emulate all the wonderful attributes that their parents truly lived and be zoche to be matzliach in the derech that they have learned. Dr. Block should IY”H continue being the Chassid that he is – a living example of a true Chassid.… Read more »
that really counts, is to be a good person – bein adam lachaveiro. you can have a hundred other good things, – and just miss the point. that is was mrs. Block emulated: 100% frumkeit, not on the cheshbon, – on the contrary – with an immense dose of goodness to ones fellow.
Barry and I are deeply saddened over the loss of Mrs. Lilly Block. We had the great fortune of getting to know Lilly extremely well when we lived in London. Whenever we thought about Lilly, which was often, we would reminisce about her kindness, generosity of spirit, love and devotion to all of her kindelach and many more attributes. It has been an honour and a privilege to have known Laya. Our love and condolences we send to our dear Dr. Block, who has always been and continues to be a role model for us. To all of the Block… Read more »
Hamakom yinachem eschem b’soch she”ar avaylay tzion
viyrushalayim. Mrs. Block a”h left a lasting impression on our
N’shei Chabad women when she spoke together with libadel
l’chaim Mrs. Chana Sharfstein at a N’shei gathering which
took place in the midst of a Minnesota blizzard a number of
decades ago.
Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Feller
May you know no more tza’ar with the coming of Moshiach NOW!
Sincerely,
The Sasson’s
a few times in the 80’s with her husband as “tourists”, to spread yidishkeit to the thirsty yiden there.
If you have any memories of Mrs. block please share them with the family at leahblockmemories@gmail.com.
Thank you
Boruch Dayan Ha’Emet. We were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Block. She and Dr. Block welcomed me many times to their table on Shabbat & Yom Tov, and played an important role in my life when I was a student and Western.. She was an exceptionally warm person with a wonderful sense of humour. Erin joins me in extending our condolences to the family.
Ben Gailor, Ottawa
Bobby was an extraordinary women and a true eishes chayil, she will forever be missed.
I had the blessing of meeting Mrs. Block and I was immediately captivated as she began her shiur. Her mere presence exuded love care, kindness, and compassion which was magnified by her knowledge and intelligence.
My sincerest deeply heartfelt condolences to the Block family.
Sarah Beard
It will pass by 770 at 9am and then continue on to the ohel
To our Dear sister and brother in law, Bassie and Lazer may the aibershter give you from now on only simchas…you both are such wonderful people you deserve only the best- may the coming year be a much better year for you…may your mother be a gute oisbetter….. Wishing you a שנה טובה ומתוקה
Dear Block Family. Mrs. Block was an extraordinary woman. Caring, compassionate, thoughtful. May your many good memories of her bring you some comfort whenever you think of her. And, may you continue to honor her in all the mitzvos that you do. My deepest condolences. Alexander Tzadik ben Zavell Nachman HaLevi (S. Antonio, Texas)
I am very sad to hear this news. Mrs. Block was a lovely and kind woman. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
She was a wonderful woman who had a profound influence on sara and becca.She loved her students and they loved her.
So sorry to hear. The block family is amazing! They should know only simchos from now on!
So sorry to hear the sad news. She was such a special lady. May you only have Simchas.
Sincerely, the Lubin Family (Chicago)
Any information on where and when the levaya will be, please?
Does anyone have an email address to reach the family, please?
I assume it is Toronto Canada.
She was a tzdeikis. Comfort to all the family. Dr. Block will carry on with yiddishkeit.
he was a shochet (who also provided meat to the Rebbe sometimes). the frierdiker rebbe wrote him a letter to help get klaf from shechted animals (which i don’t think ended happening.
Rabbi Sklar was a shochet. He collected the skins that were used for the klaf of the Torah.
It was not sudden, Mrs Block had not been well for a while.
Mrs. Block a”h was truly a lovely lady, so pleasant, with a smile on her face and a friendly word on her lips. I was so taken aback by her petirah. Does anyone know if her passing was sudden, or had she been ill? Thank you.
Years ago when her children were small, I still remember the beautiful way she put them to bed at night…so chassidish and loving…I don’t know any of her children today as adults, but I am positive they must all be very special.
She will be greatly missed.
Fay Kranz
Always one to go out of her way for another . She will be sorely missed – what a loss
The article mentions that her father, Rabbi Sklar, prepared the parchment for the Moshiach Sefer Torah. As far as I know Rabbi Sklar was not a sofer. Can someone please explain what this means, what it is referring to?
Our sincere condolences… thinking of you… the world is a little darker now…. what a special woman.
HaMakom Yenachem eschem besoch shaar availei tziyon u’viyerushalayim.
Bortmans in Toronto
Another great person from Canada. Another Shabbos. Moshiach MUST be coming. Be ready!
BD”E
She is also survived by her siblings Mrs Edith Bloch, Mrs Shirley Lerner, Rabbi Moshe Sklar and Mrs Chana (Sklar Israel) Levy.
Rabbi Sklar was a Shliach of the Frierdike Rebbe to the United States. Mrs Block was a second generation Shlucha and mother to third generation and even grandmother to 4th generation Shluchim.
My condolences and deepest sympathies are with the whole Block family. Baruch Dayan Haemes.
A great woman and Shlucha
of the rebbehs girls school bais rivkah
Our sincere heartfelt condolences. Mrs. Leah Block was not only a Shlucha par excellence, but a mashpia for many, many women. We knew that if we followed her advice, we would be doing the right thing. She was an eishes chayil and a smart, wise and kind wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. HaMakom Yenachem eschem besoch shaar availei tziyon u’viyerushalayim.
We have been close with the Block’s for many years now. Mrs. Block was a true tzaddekis. She is beloved by multitudes & will be missed more than you can ever imagine. Mrs. Block, please plead with the Abeischter to bring Moshiach now!!! Love to the entire Block mishpacha, the Brown’s from London, ON/Oak Park, MI