On motzei Shabbos 2 Shevat, throngs of
brokenhearted
Bnei Brak residents accompanied the avreich, Rav Osher
Yitzchok
Gerstenkorn, z"l, on his last earthly journey. He was
niftar
on Shabbos night after davening. He was only 29 years
old.
He is survived by his wife and tender orphans: one who is two-
and-a-half
and the other only nine months old. The petirah was
sudden
and unexpected.
Rav Osher was the son of Rav Chaim Ozer
Gerstenkorn,
yibodel lechayim arukim. Rav Chaim Ozer served as a
volunteer
in Bnei Brak's first aid centers for many years, and was
actually
one of the spearheads of these organizations. As a young
child, Rav
Osher studied in outstanding Torah institutions, where he
excelled
in his ahavas Torah and diligence. He was well known
for his
sincere davening as well as for his integrity.
On erev rosh chodesh Shevat, he set
out for
kabolas Shabbos. At the end of davening, he
scheduled
a shiur for after the meal with a certain talmid
chochom.
When he arrived home he felt ill and, in a matter of moments,
he returned
his soul to its Maker.
Before the levaya left for the
cemetery, a
stirring hesped was delivered by HaRav Shmuel
Rosenberg (Shoshan)
to a weeping throng. The weeping of those in attendance
intensified
when the niftar's father recited Kaddish and
tzidduk
hadin beside his oldest son's bier.
Bnei Brak askonim are conducting an
emergency
drive to establish a fund to benefit the widow and her
orphans.
This bitter tragedy is one in a long line of
shocking
calamities which have recently befallen chareidi Jewry. The
community
is called upon to increase its teshuvah and good
deeds. May
He Who told His world, "dai" say "dai"
to all of our troubles.
Those wishing to contribute to the fund with
bank
orders or credit cards may call the rabbinical committee at 1-
800-
223636. Contributions may also be deposited in Bank Poalei
Agudat
Yisrael, Bnei Brak, Chazon Ish Street, account number 52-188-
105363359,
earmarked for Keren Osher Gerstenkorn, zt"l.
