Mrs. Baila Sztillerman, 97, OBM

Mrs. Baila Sztillerman, beloved mother and grandmother from Melbourne, Australia, passed away on on Friday, the 16th of Shvat, 5784 – 2024.

She was 97.

Mrs. Baila Sztillerman was born in Voronezh, Russia, in 1927, to the devout Chassid Reb Betzalel and Chaya Wilschanski. Despite being born in a bustling city, the Jewish community faced significant challenges due to the anti-Semitic climate under the Communist regime. Her father, a dedicated shochet, played a pivotal role in maintaining the local shul. As a young girl, Baila assisted her mother in caring for the Yeshiva boys, while her father taught them. She often feigned illness on Shabbos to avoid attending public school.

In the spring of 1945, she married Reb Shimon Sztillerman, a tomim in Samarkand, a match suggested by Reb Michoel Teitelboum. After enduring the trials of being refugees in France, they settled in Sydney, Australia, in 1950, joining her parents who had been sent there by the Freierdike Rebbe. Eventually, they relocated to Melbourne, where Reb Shimon also served as a shochet.

Mrs. Sztillerman was known for her extra strict adherence to Kashrus and was frequently seen clutching a Tehilim. She held a deep reverence for the Rebbe and instilled in her children a profound love for the Rebbe and Yiras Shomayim. She and Reb Shimon were meticulous about observing Melave Malka.

She was the last surviving member of the original Wilschansky siblings. Mrs. Sztillerman is survived by her children: Fayga Vishedsky – Kfar Chabad, Israel; Raizel Minkowitz – Crown Heights; Zushe Sztillerman – Crown Heights; Rivka Raskin – London, England; and Elisheva Laufer – Crown Heights; as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The levaya took place in Melbourne.

The Shiva will be held through Monday at 1/560 Inkerman Rd, Caulfield North.

Minyonim:
Friday – Mincha 5pm
Motzei Shabbos – Maariv
Sunday – Shacharis 9am, Mincha/Maariv bizman
Rest period 12-2, 5:30-7
Monday – Shacharis 6:45am

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday morning in Crown Heights
at 744 Eastern Pkwy
Shachris 8 am
Break from 1-3p m and 7-8 pm
Mincha 4:45
Maariv bizmano

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.