Thursday afternoon, the 28th of Kislev, a large crowd
accompanied Rebbetzin Gittel Tova Kolitz, o'h, on her
last earthly journey. She was the wife of R' Yitzchok Kolitz,
the current rav of Yerushalayim. She passed away after a
difficult illness, and was 74 years old at the time of her
petirah.
Rebbetzin Kolitz was born in Tiveriya in Sivan, 5684. Her
father, R' Yaakov Shimshon Auerbach, was a prominent Karliner
chossid, in whose home the Admor, R' Yochonon of
Karlin resided for two years. Her unique character was formed
in this eminent home of Torah and chessed.
She married R' Yitzchok Kolitz when she came of age. After
their marriage they lived under dire conditions so that he
could completely devote himself to Torah study. After HaRav
Kolitz was appointed to his rabbinical positions, she
continued to help him with devotion, as a genuine embodiment
of the words, eishes chayil mi yimtzo.
Rebbetzin Kolitz o'h raised her children on the
wellsprings of Torah, imbuing them with love of Torah and
yiras Shomayim and with greatmesiras nefesh.
She was well known for her heartfelt prayers, and made great
efforts to pour out her heart to Hashem, even during the most
difficult times.
During recent years, she dedicated herself to helping needy
families, and performed many anonymous acts of
chessed.
Last year, she was afflicted by a severe illness, and
suffered greatly. Nonetheless she repeatedly told her sons
and grandchildren that she accepted all of her suffering with
complete love for Hashem yisborach.
No hespedim were delivered at her levaya
because of Chanukah. However, HaRav Kolitz's counterpart,
HaRav Sholom Mashash, the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of
Yerushalayim, as well as R' Yeshaya Goldschmidt, an av
beis din Tel Aviv, delivered brief words of parting.
She is survived by her husband, HaRav Yitzchok Kolitz, as
well as by sons and grandchildren, all of whom are striding
along Torah's paths.
