Spirited Shliach Passes Away

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Shmulevitz, a devoted Chabad Shliach who remained steadfast and spirited during his battle with a terrible illness, passed away on Thursday, 8 Shevat 5774.

He was 50 years old and celebrated his birthday this month.

Over the last 3 years, as he was facing a malignant disease, he continued his activities as Director of Chabad of Beit She’an, a Biblical city in the North District of Israel.

As a Shliach and rabbi of the city’s schools, he reached out to all segments of the community with love and care. Activities included holiday celebrations, classes and visitations to prisons and army bases.

He recovered from the illness that began in 5771, but a year later the disease attacked again. Despite going through chemotherapy, he led a campaign to build a women’s mikvah and saw his dream come true when it was completed 2 weeks ago, 1 Shevat, 5774.

On Wednesday morning, 7 Shevat, while hospitalized at the Haemek hospital in Afulah, Rabbi Shmulevitz requested to put on Tefillin. “He read ‘Shma Yisroel’ and fell asleep until his passing on Thursday, 8:00 AM,” his daughter said.

“He really wanted to live and never gave up,” she added. “We never stopped believing and planning his recovery celebration. He was a real chossid, happy, optimistic, full of life and a real leader.”

Born on 22 Teves 5724 in Belgium, Rabbi Shmulevitz emigrated with his family to Israel at the age of 4. He was later enrolled in the litvish Yeshivas Itri in Jerusalem.

‘Secret’ chassidus classes and farbrengens with R’ Berel Shur and other Lubavitchers led him to follow Chabad customs and go to the mikvah every morning, which he did in the Arab neighborhood of Beit Tzfafa.

“When we meet bochurim from other circles, litvish or chassidish, we should use the opportunity to tell them about the great light of chassidus,” he implored years later. “You never know how words will permeate. They might even run a Chabad House one day.”

In 5740 he started learning in the Central Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch Yeshiva in Kfar Chabad. With time, his parents embraced their heritage, as well as his brother Rabbi Eliezer Shmulevitz, today the Shliach in Or Akiva, Israel.

“My brother Yaakov, I know that sadness is the explicit antithesis of your personality and what you signify – but I am sad. Simply sad,” his childhood friend, Yirmiyahu Zalmanoff, wrote on Facebook after his passing.

“The only consolation is the large enterprise you left behind, the exemplary family you built and the continuation of the Shlichus and building of Beit She’an, as your son proclaimed in his final words to you.”

Zalmanoff said that since spending the Kevutza year 5744 at Lubavitch Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn together, alumni would gather yearly to recall the times they spent near the Rebbe.

The gathering last year was held at Shmulevitz’s home because he was not well enough to travel. “The farbrengen continued for hours and the atmosphere was sublime. It was clear that it rejuvenated his soul and he was present throughout, which his wife noted was a miracle.”

The Rebbe established the daily learning of Rambam in the year Shmulevitz was at 770. “Learning Rambam was for him a holy thing,” Zalmanoff said about his friend. “He didn’t miss a day, even during the hard times. It was astounding that he passed away on the day that the 32nd learning cycle was concluded.”

A father of 13, he was fortunate to have married off 5 of his children, who are now left orphans, the youngest of which is only 7 years old. Friends of the family established a fund to help their financial needs during this time. Support them here.

He is survived by his wife Mrs. Chana Shmulevitz and their children Mrs. Devorah Leah Ofen – Beitar Illit, Rabbi Sholom Ber Shmulevitz – a Shliach in Tel Aviv, Mrs. Chaya Mushka Blau – a Shlucha in Beit She’an, Mrs. Bluma Landa – Tzfas, Mrs. Rivka Lang – a Shlucha in Beit She’an, Schneur Zalman Shmulevitz, Menachem Mendel Shmulevitz, Shterna Sara Shmulevitz, Shoshana Raizel Shmulevitz, Yosef Yitzchok Shmulevitz, Shlomo Chaim Shmulevitz, Mindel Malka Shmulevitz and Shaina Shmulevitz; and grandchildren.

Baruch dayan haemes.