A heavy pall of mourning fell over Kiryat Ramat Vishnitz and
Haifa residents, along with those close to the Seret-Vishnitz
chassidim at the bitter news of the petiroh of
the righteous Rebbetzin Chaya Tsirel Hagar, o"h. The
Rebbetzin returned her pure soul to its Maker on Shabbos
night, 20 Elul.
The levaya left on motzei Shabbos from the
courtyard in front of the Beis Medrash Hagodol in Ramat
Vishnitz. Headed by the Admor of Seret-Vishnitz and attended
by roshei yeshiva, admorim, rabbonim, dayanim and
thousands of local residents. The levaya left for the
Beis Hachaim cemetery in Zichron Mayer where the rebbetzin was
buried near the Seret-Vishnitz ohel. Thousands
participated in the levaya in Bnei Brak.
The rebbetzin, o"h, was born on the last day of Pesach,
5693 (1933), in the city of Sechen-Hermstat. She was the
daughter of the famous HaRav Sholom Ozer Braun and the
granddaughter of those who fought Hashem's battles with great
mesirus nefesh in Transylvania-Romania.
Since the petiroh of the Admor, her father-in-law the
Mekor Boruch of Seret-Vishnitz, she made extra efforts to
assist her husband, the current Admor, in leading the flock
and the many illustrious chassidishe institutions in
Haifa and throughout the world. The Rebbetzin headed the Toras
Imecho school for girls that is part of the Seret-Vishnitz
institutions in Haifa. She also headed the Neshei Seret-
Vishnitz organization, and played a central role in its many
blessed activities.
Those who knew the Rebbetzin personally note her nobility and
refinement, and relate that she was an eishes chayil
who visited and strengthened the women of the chassidic
community, both during times of simcha and times of
hardship.
She was a model of tsnius and simplicity, and was known
for the warm manner in which she received everyone. The right
words were always on her lips: be they words of encouragement
or consolation. Many consulted her and sought her brochos,
and she had a special grace for which she merited to be
considered an isho yiras Hashem hi tishalol and to be
esteemed by all.
She collapsed suddenly three months ago while in Tzfas and
never regained consciousness. Throughout the period of her
hospitalization, prayers and Tehillim for her recovery
were recited all over the world in Seret-Vishnitz
institutions. Special minyanim were also held beside
the Kosel and graves of tzaddikim. Last week,
her situation deteriorated, and it was learned that she was
suffering from a very serious illness.
She was nifteroh on Shabbos kodesh parshas Ki
Sovo, with her husband, the Admor; her son, the av beis
din; her sons-in-law, HaRav Naftoli Reuven Kornreich, rav
of the Tel Tzion neighborhood in Jerusalem; and HaRav Aharon
Tuvia Shpitz, rav of the Kehal Chassidei Vishnitz in Boro
Park, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren at her
bedside. As they recited Shema Yisroel, she returned
her pure soul to its Maker.
