On Friday erev Shabbos Parshas Pinchos, Mrs. Chana Zissel
Weiner o"h, an exemplary figure of modesty and
chessed, departed from this world.
The deceased was born in Chicago in 5692 (1932) to R' Shachna
Yosef and Miriam Leah Lewis, who had gone to the US from
Poland three decades earlier. With total dedication to Torah
and mitzvas they kept Shabbos, kashrus and family purity
uncompromisingly, even during times when other Jews faltered.
A talented woman, full of sensitivity and energy, Chana
Zissel held numerous teaching positions during her
lifetime.
In 5709 (1949) she married HaRav Aharon Weiner, an inspired
ben Torah. At their engagement they agreed that they
would work to promote Torah and mitzvas and move to Eretz
Yisroel if possible. Immediately after their wedding HaRav
Chaim Kreiswirth zt"l came to Chicago and Rav Weiner
spent five years learning Torah from him until HaRav
Kreiswirth was appointed rov of Antwerp. Even after he left,
Rav Weiner continued to maintain close ties with his rebbe
muvhok, drawing strength from him until HaRav
Kreiswirth's passing.
The deceased assisted her husband when he founded AFTA
(Association for Torah Advancement), an umbrella organization
for the promotion of Torah and mitzvas in Chicago. She helped
found a Shatnez laboratory in the city, which operates
to this day. She also organized annual dinners at which
prizes were handed out to boys and young men for excellence
in Torah study in accordance with HaRav Kreiswirth's
teachings that if there is no honor for Torah there is no
Torah.
Always happy to take part in public affairs selflessly, she
helped reorganize the Chevra Kadisha to bring its
operations up to halachic standards. While still young she
herself would perform the purification for women who passed
away. She also headed an organization that encouraged women
to observe family purity and helped build a mikveh
that meets high halachic standards.
She had a special way of relating to people. Many confided in
her, and asked her for advice and encouragement.
Her dedication to her family was remarkable. She educated her
children to live without luxuries, serving as an exemplar of
simplicity and humbleness. When others raised their children
to become doctors and lawyers, she sent her sons off to Eretz
Yisroel to study Torah.
All her life she yearned to move to Eretz Yisroel, until her
dream came true when she and her family moved here in 5736
(1976). In Eretz Yisroel she continued to engage in
tzorchei tzibbur as one of the heads of the main
clothing gemach in Har Nof, serving as treasurer for
several years. She also raised and disbursed large sums for
tzedokoh.
She started a youth library to provide kosher reading
material and would periodically lend her talents to teach at
schools without pay. Every day for years she would recite
Tehillim and study the halochos pertaining to
loshon hora. She never wanted her sons to cancel Torah
study and even when she was in the hospital she insisted they
continue their studies rather than coming to visit her. She
also maintained close, motherly ties with her
grandchildren.
Recently she suffered from a malignant disease, but continued
to function normally with all her former energy, hiding her
suffering from those around her. Even on her very last day
she managed to attend to the book gemach she ran and
went to the Kosel Maarovi to pray.
Mrs. Chana Zissel Weiner o"h is survived by her
husband, her sons Rav Reuven, Rav Shimon, Rav Yaakov and Rav
Meir, her sons-in-law Rav Mordechai Zaks and Rav Michoel
Kaplan, and grandchildren, all lomdei Torah and
marbitzei Torah, following in her path of Torah and
yir'oh.
