By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Gimpel Orimland, a former resident of Florida who helped establish the Chabad school in Miami Beach, Florida passed away Wednesday, 10 Kislev, 5774.
He was 89.
Rabbi Orimland was born in Poland in 1923, and moved with his family to Israel. At the age of 18 he joined the British army to fight the Nazis in World War II.
In 1963, while serving as a rabbi in the McKee City Jewish community in New Jersey, his parents and 3-year-old son Yaakov were in a fatal accident. While the doctors gave up hope for his son, he survived and recovered after receiving a blessing from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
VIDEO: Rabbi Orimland recounted the story:
Following the miracle, he became close to the Rebbe and Chabad, and attended many Farbrengens in 770. He continued to have a close connection with the Rebbe for years.
Rabbi Orimland, who lived in Miami for over 30 years and was involved in real estate and hotel management, helped establish the Lubavitch school in Miami Beach.
In his later years he moved to Netanya, Israel, where he was close to the Lubavitch community as well.
He is survived by his children: Mrs. Debbie Nagler, Miami Beach FL, Mrs. Riva Evers, Jerusalem, Israel and Rabbi Yaacov Orimand, Margate City NJ/Tzfas, Israel and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who follow in the ways of Torah and Chassidus.
His wife Sonia passed away 10 years ago after an illness.
The Levaya will be held on Friday at 12:00 in the Netanya cemetery in Israel.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
His qualities of warmth and love for family and for the Jewish community were palpable. To be in his presence was an education and a privilege. He will be greatly missed.
Laya Seghi
We lost an amazing man. We had the privilege of visiting him this summer. So happy to have been able to see him before his passing. Bde.
Waiting for that part!
The story is an amazing,was written up years ago in Kfar Chabad Magazine. One part of the story has yet to be told, the Rebbe told Rabbi Orimland something that Rabbi Orimland wrote on a piece of paper sealed it in an envelope only for his son to open it after he passed away…..
He was 89 years old.
How do you remember when he was born?
The world is dimmer today because of this loss. The Ormland’s are such an amazing family and we wish them only simchas for here on out!
Shelly and Shmueli Newman
i remember when he was born what a amazing person we lost
May the family only share good things!!
BD’E. He was the most amazing and caring person we have ever have had the privilege to meet. We are so honored to have been a part of his “extended family.” Zeidy Gimpel will be sorely missed. Our condolences to the family.
Interviews were so inspiring I am so happy he was able to be interviewed.
My parents used to buy chicken, turkey and eggs from R. Gimpel in McKee City, NJ. I have wonderful memories of his family and his delivery man who made the rounds each week. A wonderful man and lovely family.