Michael Eisenberg A'H

2009-09-22T17:35:00.001-04:00

Inspiring Words

2008-12-21T09:32:00.003-05:00

Last night Hatzoloh made a Siyum/Melava Malkah for Michael's Shloshim. Rabbi Wosner, a close friend of Michale from 'back in the day' was one of the speakers. He spoke of many things but I found two topics very inspiring...

Hinay Lo Yanum V'lo Yishan Shomer Yisrael, The Guardian of Israel does not slumber nor sleep. He raised the question as to why is the word for sleep repeated, and further, why the double yud in the word Yishan? He answered that in every generation there are those 'helpers' that G-d does not let sleep...He keeps them restless so that they can 'help' Him with His work as the Guardian of Israel. He mentioned how Michael was always busy, always moving, whether it be from home to home, business to business, or to Israel and back. Anywhere he went there was a need to be filled, whether it be tradespeople to build the houses (and repair them even if not necessary) or the be in Israel to help R' Soloveitchik with dialysis. G-d did not let him sleep and he always stepped up as the Guardian's 'helper'.

Second, he was was speaking of Michael's incredible way of cheering people up and always seeking out the downtrodden to try and help them to their feet both emotionally and financially. He used these words to describe... "transforming a lawnmower into a motorcycle, making an air conditioner out of a washing machine..those are all mechanical feats...making a tzubruchena yid a Baal Simcha, that's something only an enormous heart like his could pull off"

Shloshim

2008-12-17T09:47:00.001-05:00

From Zehava Goldenberg

It's just unreal that's it's already shloshim. Not a day goes by that I don't think about Michael & Sandy. They were the epitome of a couple. Michael talked to us as equals. It didn't matter our age, bracket, religion. He taught me about marriage, bringing up children, how to help people without their knowing. We went to the Eisenberg's for Shabbos recently & Michael just sat & shmoozed with us, even though he really wasn't feeling well. Michael always gave us time and advice and was never too busy. I saw Michael just two days before he was niftar and am grateful for the zechus for that last time. My husband & I had a special connection with the Eisenberg's that I hope continues as Michael looks down upon us. May the whole family continue to carry on all the wonderful tovos that Michael did for the entire community.

Zehava

Teaching By Example

2008-12-13T21:10:00.003-05:00

Either last summer or two summers ago, I was in a car with my father. The car needed gas so we stopped at a gas station. While the car was being filled by the attendant, my father got into a lengthy conversation with him. He sat there and spoke and joked with the attendant for a few minutes. When we were back on the road, he explained me that it is very important to be nice to the attendants. He said many people make nasty comments about the gas prices and other things that aren't in their control and almost nobody appreciates them. He explained to me it is very important to be nice, polite, and make a Kiddush Hashem. He related to me a story about R' Ahron Kotler. He said it was known that when R' Ahron was in a car and they were coming to a toll booth, he would make sure to go to a manned toll booth over an unmanned toll booth so he could say Thank You and make a Kiddush Hashem. My father took lessons from Gedolim and helped pass them on to us!

Video Short Tribute

2008-12-11T12:32:00.003-05:00

More to come...

Mr. Fix-it

2008-12-08T17:43:00.003-05:00

The story of my father's elevator rescue is only one of many accounts where people relied on him for his impressive tool collection and skill in using them. My father's reputation as Mr. Fix-it followed him wherever we lived (and we lived in many places). Whether it was rescuing someone from a locked bathroom or fixing a malfunctioning computer, my father had the tools and skills to get the job done.

During shiva, a former neighbor shared with me one of many stories where my father helped a neighbor out. A few days after my father came home from one of his surgeries, he spotted a neighbor attempting to fix a broken garage door. Despite doctor recommendations to take it easy, my father had to go and see if he can help (Anyone who knew my father knows he had difficulty "taking it easy"). The neighbor insisted that he would call a handyman and that my father shouldn't strain himself trying to figure out what was wrong. The neighbor went into the house to call a handyman. When he returned to the garage, he noticed that the garage door was fixed and my father was gone. While I had never heard this story before, it didn't surprise me in any way. Helping others was my father's only hobby and addiction. He would have never been able to go back into the house if he knew how to fix the garage and was able to do it.

Always caring

2008-12-04T23:45:00.002-05:00

His daughter Miriam attended Manhattan High School in N.Y.C. One Friday afternoon, she called home to say that one of the School’s vans had slipped and overturned- but she was not on it- just calling to say she was all right. Michael immediately drove to the hospital in New Jersey to check on the girls who had been involved in the accident, and then called the parents individually to report that their daughters were all right. He returned home shortly before Shabbos. What a z’chus!

MLM

Elevator Rescue

2008-12-04T23:44:00.001-05:00

During their years in Eretz Yisroel, there was a blackout in Har Nof, not an unusual occurrence, but this was a major one. The elevator was stuck between floors, with passengers inside. Michael’s familiarity with machinery enabled him to find the right tool to open the elevator and release the terrified passengers.

He then went on to open the elevators in the other buildings. Being stuck in an elevator is a most horrible experience- but as usual, Michael was in the right place at the right time.

MLM

Confidentiality

2008-12-03T09:26:00.002-05:00

Email from Chanina Klahr...

Yes I knew Mikey. When I was almost 13, he was already working (as a bachur) and worked for a refrigeration company and he installed the motors on Bais Dovid's new walk-in fridge (back in 1980). Wow! He was of course from the founding members of Monsey Hatzoloh. He married a girl from our block! Lenore Ave. Her name was Sandy Cohen! Can't forget her family. He always had a smile and did favors for anyone.

When Rabbi Myski A"H expanded the Gmach, I came up with a suggestion and Mikey was able to develop it; a special sound system, with continuous music from a regular cassette - unheard of in home stereos in those days, but available as a car stereo with "auto-reverse. He bought one in Radio Shack and converted the power supply to 110 and mounted it on to a wooden shelf. After that, no more issues with "confidentiality" in the Gmach cubicles as soft music played just high enough to drown out sound from next cubicle. And on and on and on.

He always made himself available.

May he have a Lichtegen Gan Eden!

Tribute - English

2008-12-01T14:28:00.001-05:00

From Chananya & Zehava Goldenberg... (Hebrew Here )

May I ask who can replace him, a man whose value was more precious than pearls?

Incomparable fear and awe of heaven, he loved others more than a father loves his son

Cherished and honored others immeasurably, with his pleasant kind ways

He was loved by all who knew him, young and old, friend and neighbor

And his heart was awakened to all holy things

Every time he was among the first

Loved by all and cared for by them

Bountiful good deeds poured forth from his home which was always open to all

In his duty as a member of the Chevra Kaddisha Burial society he is remembered

Noteworthy was his position in the Tomchei Shabbos who helped feed the poor hungry and destitute

Yearning to always do more he helped found Hatzoloh of Monsey with his myriad talents and abilities

Always did he love Eretz Yisroel!

Many times did he visit our holy land, and cherished its dust and its worth

It is clear that he shall advocate on behalf of his beloved family and loved ones with the Father of all orphans above

Never shall we forget that his soul be bound for all eternity to everlasting life

For Who's Benefit?

2008-11-29T20:43:00.002-05:00

One night my father was at a restaurant. At the restaurant he met a man who did roofing and siding. He asked the friend how business was. The man answered that recently he was hired for a big job and then they took away the job. He had a great loss of money because he had already purchased materials. My father told him he would call him the next day because he may have a job for him.

The next day my father called and told him he had a job for him. At that point my father owned a house which he was planning on selling anyways. The roof of the house had a small leak. My father told him he wanted the whole roof redone and while he was at it he should also redo the siding. The man happily accepted the job and while he was doing it my father was with him the whole time and offered him help and guidance. In reality the roof only needed a little patchwork and the siding was fine, but my father was looking to give him help and Chizuk because he was honest and hardworking.

Don't Almost Give

2008-11-27T15:47:00.001-05:00

Just a bit of commentary...

There is a very powerful series of ads floating around entitled "Don't almost give" (one linked below). I found these ads most inspiring and in a way a reflection of what Michael's legacy to us is. Both from knowing him and from all the stories collected thus far it is rather apparent that the underlying theme of Michael's life was to "do". There were no committee meetings, no focus groups, no ‘almost giving’. If something was lacking it was quickly rectified. If someone needed something, they quickly had it. Michael embodied the adage “there are those who talk and there are those who do”, Michael was a ‘doer’ in every way. We have to carry his legacy forth by following in those footsteps, righting wrongs, helping those less fortunate, and looking out for our fellow Jew; anticipating his every need, but most importantly by actually doing it. As the ad’s final line goes, ‘almost giving is like not giving at all’.

Kibud Av V’eim

2008-11-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

Upon my father’s release from the hospital/rehab following his illness, Michael & Sandy insisted on caring for my parents in their own home. After meticulously tending to my parents’ every need for some weeks, my mother thought it best to return to her own home and normal routine. As much as Michael attempted to dissuade her, her mind was set; she desired to be home in time for Rosh Hashannah, which was two days away. Michael, a man of action, enlisted the help of my nephew Gedalya, and worked tirelessly, throughout the night, preparing the house & upgrading the plumbing to ensure a smooth transition for our parents.

Michoel Binyomin ben Dov should be a Meilitz Yosher for our Choshuva Parents, his dear wife, Sandy, and his wonderful children.

Leah

Matan Beseyser

2008-11-26T17:39:00.003-05:00

When my father gave tzeddaka to private people, he always tried to do it in a way the reciever would not find out where it came from.
Several years ago, on a friday afternoon, my father was notified that someone in the neighborhood needed money. My father prepared a large check for this family. Even though it was only several hours to shabbos, my father did not immediately send the check to the family. Rather, he sent one of us children to a Tzedaka organization to exchange checks, so his name would not appear on the check being given. Only after all evidence of his association was cleared did my father allow the check to be delivered.

Always for the little guy

2008-11-26T13:51:00.002-05:00

From Unit 73...

About 20 years ago, before I lived in Monsey I came to visit my brother who was in a Yeshiva on Seidell Lane (now Halberg Pkway) When I went back to my car to return to NY the car wouldn't start. At this point it was snowing fiercely and I resigned myself to staying. My brother said he knew someone on the block that could help us and he'd go get him. A few minutes later he came back with Michael in tow who proceeded to inspect the car. He spent two hours! in the snow trying to get my car started. I begged him many times to forget about it but he insisted on trying. Only after exhausting everything did he finally give up.

Many years later I was looking to buy a business and when I found something I asked him if I could come over to go over it with him, "sure" he said. When I explained the deal to him he said, "you don't want to go into the city every day"...."I know of a business for sale right around the corner from me, lets go check it out - it looks like a better deal for you" It was and I did end up buying it.

To sum Michael up... He was always about the doing for the regular guy because that's where he'd go unnoticed. He could have had his name on buildings and funds but that was not his way.

Hatzoloh - The early days

2008-11-26T13:18:00.002-05:00

Michael was one of the early members of Hatzoloh in Monsey. Back then the volunteers were regularly harassed by the police on their way to calls. One day Michael was responding to Willow Tree Park for someone who had fallen by the lake and was hurt. The police were chasing Michael the whole way there and there were others awaiting his arrival at the park. While he was treating the patient he was asked, and explained the situation to the patient. The patient identified himself as a NY Supreme Court judge and took the officers' information and warned them to cease and desist. That chance meeting and Michael's selfless dedication to getting the job done at any cost, paved the way for Hatzoloh to eventually get the lights and sirens permits that the members now have, speeding up response times to the lowest in the world

Dialysis Technician

2008-11-26T13:12:00.004-05:00

When Michael lived in Israel he found out that R' Rafael Soloveitchik needed to receive dialysis treatment in his home. Michael took the nightshift three nights a week, leaving his house at midnight, and returning home in middle of the night.

A/C Installer

2008-11-26T13:06:00.002-05:00

Michael went on a Hatzoloh call one evening and found himself in the home of an elderly cancer patient who was all alone. The man was quite sick and didn't seem to have anyone looking after him. Moreover, the apartment he was in did not have air conditioning and the room was 100 degrees plus! Michael ran to the store, bought a wall unit and brought it back to the apartment. He then proceeded to wire the room to power the A/C. Only after the job was done (after 3am) and the A/C was working did he leave.

The friends you keep

2008-11-26T12:45:00.005-05:00

Michael was exceedingly close with Rabbi Myski A'H, the founder of the gemach. Michael held him in the highest regard and was very hurt when he was niftar. When he was asked by a close friend why he liked R' Myski so much, he answered with a story that gets to the essence of who Michael was and the friends he chose to associate himself with. He related that once he was sitting with R' Myski and the committee that met to approve the various loan requests made of the gemach. They were considering the request of person that was making a wedding and was in desperate need of a $5000 loan. After analyzing the request it was decided that unfortunately the man could not be given the loan based on the criteria the gemach uses to approve loans. Thereupon R' Myski burst into tears, "how will he make the wedding" he cried. He cried for a while for this man's plight

Micheal was teary eyed when he told over the story and said "now you know why I like this guy" To some Michael did not come across as an emotionally sensitive guy but he really was. He cried for the guy that couldn't get the loan and cried for R' Myski's pain.

Please see the following links about Rabbi Myski. He was Michael's Rebbi in every way.

A Tradition of Kindness
Hashem Helps the Givers

Pension Plans

2008-11-26T12:15:00.002-05:00

A friend just called with this gem... About 10 years ago I tried to sell Michael a pension plan for himself and his company. I explained all the tax benefits to him and really tried to get him to sign up. His answer to me, however, was something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. He explained that he keeps his money in the Gemach and said to me "there are two types of pension plans, one here and one 'up there', they both pay interest, but the one 'up there' pays a much higher rate" I had no sales answer for him but I know he is cashing in big time.

A tribute

2008-11-26T11:09:00.009-05:00

From Chananya & Zehava Goldenberg...

Click to enlarge

Kupas Ezra

2008-11-26T08:38:00.009-05:00

I spoke with Tante Malka to get an idea of Michael's involvement with Kupath Ezra and she explained that Michael had his own 'Kupas Ezra' He gave so much money directly to individuals in need he didn't need to give it to Kupath Ezra to distribute. She also related how Michael helped the Kupa stay in their office long after the landlord and town wanted them out. Whatever it took he got it done.

Kiddush Hashem

2008-11-26T08:34:00.001-05:00

From CZK...

Many years ago, (probably before he was married),I got a ride with MB from Monsey to Brooklyn. There was much traffic on the FDR and when we finally got through, we saw that it was due to a disabled car. MB quickly pulled over and changed the elderly womens flat tire. She offered him money for his help which of course he refused. She asked him his name and when he replied "it doesn't matter" she said "One thing I know for sure is that you're Jewish." What a kiddush Hashem.

Guestbook

2008-11-25T23:48:00.000-05:00

A post for comments, thoughts, well wishes, etc.

Kidney Donor

2008-11-25T18:06:00.007-05:00

It was brought to Michael's attention that there was a man in desperate need of a kidney. He could not afford the huge medical costs associated with the transplant. Michael paid a substantial amount towards the transplant, saving his life.

Always Happy to Lend

2008-11-25T00:23:00.002-05:00

Although my father is known for being generous with his time, he was also gracious with lending out tangible things. I have countless memories of tools, appliances, furniture, etc being picked up and dropped off...

At his Levaya, one of my father's eulogizers mentioned how his cars/trucks were always available to transport bodies from fatal accidents and other unfortunate situations.

When someone came into NY and needed to borrow a car, my father would try his utmost to work things out so he can lend them one. Whenever I would ask him how he didn't mind just lending them out, he would always say "A car is a car." He never stressed about the "what if" 's, he always kept it simple.

Whenever I would tell anyone that we were going to Israel for Pessach, one of the first responses I always got was, "You're lucky! No Pessach cleaning." However, this was usually not the case. I can't even count how many times my father "lent out" our house for others to use for Pessach. This involved completely Pessach cleaning our whole house, instead of taking the easy way out and selling the whole thing to a goy for the holidays. My father didn't need the easy route, he was happy to help others in any way possible.

Everyone's "Go To" Person

2008-11-24T23:52:00.004-05:00

I will definitely remember my father as many people's "go to" person. I grew up thinking it was common for fathers to have "meetings" with people all night. It wasn't until later that I realized how generous my father was with his time. There were always people calling and coming over to discuss things with him. Whether they were asking his advice on business, construction, tzedaka, or parenting, my father seemed to make time for everyone.

As I got older, I began to really comprehend his selflessness. I would see him come home exhausted from work and go straight into a "meeting." My mother would try to "borrow him" for five minutes so he could eat, or have us bring him dinner if he was too busy, but he always brushed it off, waiting until his guest left. This treatment wasn't limited to his friends. I've seen strangers come over, as well as have had my own friends and friends' husbands seek his advice while at my house, and witnessed his patience and willingness to listen and help.

Always Helping Others

2008-11-24T23:32:00.004-05:00

During Shiva, many people related memories of how my father had helped them. I can honestly say I have never heard a percentage of these stories, as my father always kept things quiet. I was more suprised by his silence, than by the amazing things I heard he's done.

One story was told to me by a woman I knew as a family friend, but never by this story. She explained to me that when she moved into the neighborhood, her and her husband, as newlyweds, had a hard time buying a house, with not enough credit for a mortgage. My father, barely knowing them, gave them a copy of his own bank records, with their name on top, which then allowed them to buy a house. The woman stressed to me how their friendship didn't extend passed familiarity at that time. She was amazed at how willing he was to help a stranger.

Matan BiSeiter-- Giving Anonymously

2008-11-24T22:11:00.005-05:00

My father was known for doing things quietly, behind the scenes. I can think of many times that I heard about things he did and people he helped, months after it occurred. Never did I hear them from him. My father didn't do it for the recognition, and always tried changing the topic when I confronted him about things I heard he was involved in.

I was once at someones house when they received an anonymous gift. A Rabbi that was close to the person pulled him aside after a lecture, and handed him a brand new set of Tefillin, telling him he didn't have to worry about Kashrut, as they were "top of the line." The man was shocked and asked who they came from. The Rabbi just nodded and said, "Someone heard you didn't have your own Tefillin."

It wasn't until later that I connected all the dots. The previous week, I had told my father that this person, a Baal Teshuva, had been using his fathers Tefillin, since he never received his own. I was mentioning it to my father as a point of interest, since this person's father, a non-observant Jew, had held onto his own Tefillin, even though he never used them. I found it convenient that this man didn't have to purchase new Tefillin when he became religious. I shared this thought with my father late one night. It was a fleeting conversation and I even doubted that my father took note of it beyond face value.

I was struck with the reality of my father's generosity when I confronted the Rabbi and got confirmation that my father did, in fact, purchase the Tefillin. When I asked my father about it, his simple response was, "Every man deserves his own Tefillin."

Giving His Time So Others Can Pray

2008-11-24T20:46:00.003-05:00

Although he always loved to be in Israel for the Chagim, there were some times when we weren't able to go. One particular year, we spent our Pessach at a hotel. Each morning we would go downstairs for Shachris, with the rest of the hotel's guests. My father noticed that the Mashgiach wasn't there, and was concerned about where he was catching a Minyan in an otherwise non-Jewish area. The Mashgiach explained to him that he was unable to go to Minyan because the hotel management said it would be Genaivah for him to attend, as he was being paid for the time. My father arranged that him and his friend would work in the kitchen to make up for the time the Mashgiach would have to "waste" to go to Minyan.

Chesed Shel Emes

2008-11-24T20:03:00.005-05:00

At the shiva, I heard a story of a woman who was divorced from her husband because she didn't want anything to do with Yiddishkeit. They had a son that would go back and forth between them.

One day the woman killed herself together with her child so that he would not be religious. In her suicide note she wrote that both she and the boy should be cremated.

Now, when there was action, there was Michael. It was decided that they would bury the child, but there was no money for the burial. Michael paid for the kevurah and was afraid that her family would dig up the child's body to cremate it. For 2 days the case was being decided by a court and during that time, Michael had his truck parked on top of the grave so no one could touch it. We know that Michael stayed in the truck overnight on the 1st night and possibly the 2nd as well.

Money with Interest

2008-11-24T19:52:00.004-05:00

Michael was a magnet to charity and good deeds. He used to lend his money to the gemach instead of putting it in the bank.

Once Michael sold his house and wasn't going to need the money in the immediate future. The broker who sold the house offered him an investment deal which was "guaranteed" to earn a high interest. After giving it some thought, Michael told the broker no. He had always kept his money in the gemach and he would do so now as well.

A while later, he found out that the "guaranteed high interest investment" had collapsed and many people lost huge sums of money with that investor. His money was safeguarded in the gemach and earning him interest in the world to come.

R' Rottenberg's Shul

2008-11-24T14:36:00.001-05:00

We are all aware that Michael put his sweat and blood into establishing R' Rottenberg's shul in Monsey....If anyone can shed some light on the details please do so below...

A Model for Charity

2008-11-24T14:10:00.003-05:00

A certain Kollel benefitted from a sizeable donation from Michael twice a year.

Recently, Michael told his wife, Sandy yb'l, to send out the check in the envelope on his desk. She did so, only to be asked once again to send out the check. When she said that she had already sent it out, Michael asked her what envelope she had used since it was still on his desk. She told him where she had taken the envelope from and he realized that she had sent the big check in an evelope in which he had intended to put $10.

Michael immediately told Sandy to write another check to the Kollel that he supported. Michael didn't mess with Tzedaka. He called R' Meir Baal Hanes his partner, and would donate generously to that tzedaka before any deal he made.

One of his friends said that Michael was his Rebbe and taught him how to give tzedakah. Previously, the friend would give small amounts when people asked, but when Michael saw, he told him to donate more generously. "Tzedaka is not a joke. You were blessed with money, you have to do your share. The people in the tzedakah organization do the work. We have to pay."

More recently, when he started a new business, money was sometimes tight. One day he made a cheshbon of his Maaser and realized that he owed. Not being able to take cash out of his pocket at the time, he borrowed money to pay his maaser! How many people do you know that would do that?

I would also like to mention here that Sandy did not only work with him in business during most of their marriage, she was also a partner in all of his chesed and tzedakah projects, always encouraging him and approving of his good deeds, despite the fact that it surely infringed on her time with him.

He Got the Job Done

2008-11-24T13:27:00.005-05:00

For the most part, Michael, a"h and his family, yb"l, spent Yomim Tovim in Eretz Yisroel. The few times that they stayed in America for Pesach were usually spent at a hotel.

One Pesach, the waiters on staff at the hotel in which he was staying, went on strike. The guests were in an uproar. "What's gonna be?" "How are we gonna eat?" "This is crazy."

Michael simply turned to his friend and said "Why don't we just go into the kitchen and serve?" I'm sure he didn't wait for his friend to answer. He was already headed in that direction. Eventually others joined and assisted them.

When I told this story to a family member, he said "Of course! That was him." If there was something that had to get done, Michael did it. He didn't wait to be asked. And with all that, he managed to stay out of the limelight.

Michael was niftar the same way that he lived. Quietly. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Pictures?

2008-11-24T13:11:00.002-05:00

Some of us looking through family simcha or party pictures can't seem to find many pictures of Michael....If we do it is always a profile or somewhere in the background..then again he never really sat still for too long..he must have been in the kitchen or cleaning something...

Friends of All Kinds

2008-11-24T12:39:00.006-05:00

A woman had a broken central air system and, being that her husband had just lost his job, could not afford to spend much money on the repair. She called a trusted A/C repairman, who was not religious, to repair it, if it would not cost to much.

The repairman came to the house and told her that he would repair the air conditioner for free if she would pray for his friend Michael. The woman said that he is already on her list of people to pray for. The repairman answered her "You don't understand. My friend is sick and I don't really know how to pray. If you say a prayer for him instead of me, I will fix your AC for free."

Michael, A"H had friends from all walks of life. From the most Chassidish, to the most modern, and from young to old. It didn't matter if they were rich or poor - countless people considered him a close friend.

No Loopholes

2008-11-24T11:47:00.000-05:00

Rabbi Rottenberg said that he overheard Michael asking the Rav a shayla. The Rav responded with his answer whereupon Michal told him "I'm not looking for loopholes..just tell me what the right thing is and I will do it"

Never left a tzedaka pledge sit

2008-11-24T11:38:00.004-05:00

From unit 93....
Michael A'H never let a tzedaka pledge wait! Not even overnight! He always mentioned, when discussing business deals or ventures, the minute the money came in, the Tzedaka checks for the full maaser were written immediately! They went out in the next morning's mail or were personally delivered. He did not want to dissapoint his partner - Hashem.

Aside from him being a close personal friend and sounding board for anything I cared to discuss with him, he put his money where his mouth was in a big way. No matter what the cause he always delivered. When I first became a paramedic he was first on line to donate very generously for my Life Pack 12 (heart monitor), quietly without fanfare, never being machzik tovah laatzmo. He also donated another one or two lifepaks to Hatzoloh. He was there front and center donating very generously to help put up the Forshay Garage. He was always there b'gufo u'bmomono for Hatzoloh.

On another note his Yashrus was incredible - he had a real sense for what was right. He always joked about himself and made light of his attitude but he was right on the money when it came to Hashkofo and "doing what Hashem wanted".

Never beneath him

2008-11-24T11:31:00.002-05:00

From Yitzchok Zimmerman... We were at a hotel with Michael one Pesach and the waiters went on strike....without question or fanfare Michael was in that kitchen making sure everyone got served... Nothing was ever beneath him when it came to getting the "job" done...

Undercover Chesed

2008-11-23T17:38:00.000-05:00

Michael was a friend to all. He had a very keen vision in seeing who needed what and when. He was able to get the job done in a very efficient and subtle way, in a way that almost no one knew who did it. He did chesed with no fanfare, no coaching, little discussion.
I was amazed at his “chochmah” which he applied to all of facets of life, but above all he was a gaon in undercover chesed. Whether the need was mild or severe, family or not, a sick person, a sad person, a lonely person, a needy person or a person that needed practical advice, he knew how to deliver right on target, without delay and without any embarrassment. He just did what he had to do and truly did it l’shem shomayim.

Michael could turn over mountains without any attention pointed at himself!

May Michaels parents, wife and children and all of us gain comfort from the inspiration that he selflessly impacted so many people with. We will all be better people because Michael elevated the bar of chesed and inspired us to maximize our potential with strength and seichel to always reach higher when it comes to acheinu bnei yisroel! Let us hope that through the z’chus of the chesed that Michael lived for, his family should have a nechamah and we all could be zoche to yeshuos, refuos, heavenly protection and the ultimate geulah bekorov beyamainu.

Besoros tovos.

Hamakom yenachaim eschem bsoch shaar availai tzion veyurushalayim.

Nosson Schwab (47)

Always thinking..

2008-11-23T11:17:00.003-05:00

29 tells me that Michael was seen at a Levayah whispering at the graveside of someone that was just buried. The niftar's son-in-law told him that Michael was owed money by the niftar and he was whispering a mechilah of the loan so he could go "up" in peace...

Always doing

2008-11-23T10:15:00.003-05:00

A childhood friend of Michael's reminisced to me about how he remembers that when Michael got his first car he was always going somewhere, always had to take someone somewhere, pick some thing up, get something for someone...etc. He also said that he spent many Hoshana Rabbah with Michael at Zaidy Felsenburg's house. It was always evident to him how close Michael was with them. Anyone that knew the Felsenburgs can clearly see where Michael's influences came from.

A shul can't be left this way

2008-11-23T09:57:00.002-05:00

Someone at the Shiva today told over what he witnessed on Monday, Michael's last day with us. He was in shul and having not seen him for a while ended up talking for quite some time until they were the last two in the shul. That morning there had been a yarzeit meal in the shul and the shul was left quite messy. Michael started cleaning up the tables and leftover food. His friend asked him why he was cleaning as he knew that there was a cleaning crew that would be by soon to clean up. Michael said "a shul can't be left like this.." Only after the shul was back to looking like one, did he leave.

Cemetery Sand

2008-11-21T11:58:00.000-05:00

For many years Michael would go to the Cemetery soon after someone was buried in order to make sure that all the sand removed was back in the hole. He felt that it was not proper to let the goyim finish the burial and so he did it himself, by hand if necessary. Not sure how long this was going on but he was “caught” coming out of the cemetery on the Wednesday before he died..He told 05 with a smile “sorry but you’re too late”

Shul Building

2008-11-21T10:22:00.003-05:00

Rabbi Worfman of Betchutch (sp) told over how when he he moved into the neighborhood he wanted to start a shul. Michael passed by one Friday and saw him standing outside....I didn't get the whole story but suffice it to say that Michael cleaned up the construction site, installed the plumbing and sink and the shul was ready for shabbos. But that was not enough...that Friday night he was out on Forshay road flagging down people to make a minyan... then again on shabbos morning... Rabbi Worfman thought he had Eliyahu Hanavi on his hands! He asked Michael why he was doing all this..Michael said "you want to have a shul, you'll have one" (There are more details to this story...please fell free to fill us in on any missing details)

Business Building

2008-11-21T10:02:00.004-05:00

I was at the Shiva last night.... I kept hearing people, one after the other speaking about how Michael either started their business, encouraged it, loaned money to them, etc.. These were people he didn't necessarily know, but such was his way. One guy told of how he met Michael and started talking about his new sign business. Michael asked him how it was going and he said that he really didn't have any business yet nor did he really know how to make signs! Michael told him to call him when he had some orders and they'd "figure out" how to work the machines. Shortly thereafter Michael came in for a new sign and then sent some other by... slowly but surely business took off and is now a thriving business in town.

On a personal note, Michael would often come by my business to buy things that he "needed" Many times he would call ahead and tell me that he was at Sammy's or wherever and ask if I wanted lunch. We'd eat lunch, he'd stick around for an hour, ask about business, offer advice, etc..

Done and Forgotten

2008-11-20T10:40:00.002-05:00

I spoke with 05.... too many stories together to even start... "We were like brothers, we spoke or saw each other every day....it was an odd relationship, me being a chossid and him not...but he was something you don't find in this world..." I asked him for some anecdotes and he said that he wouldn't know were to start.. it would take him days just to scrape the surface..."what we did was done and forgotten" it was never done for anyone to know about and so it wasn't recorded...

Live for others

2008-11-20T09:25:00.002-05:00

From unit 94... When I was a kid of around 9, I lived across the street from where Michael was building the Gemach building on Blauvelt rd. I was watching work, pulling wires, and I asked him why he was doing this. He said to me "You're not supposed to live for yourself, you're supposed to live for others" This line has stuck with me since then...

No complaints...

2008-11-20T09:04:00.000-05:00

From unit 120... Unfortunately, I joined Hatzoloh [too late] to spend much time with Michael. However, I do recall the first time I went on a call with him. It was a daytime transfer to Mt. Sinai. Michael drove and so I had little interaction with him on the way to the hospital. On the way back we struck up a conversation. Michael’s voice at that point was already very hoarse and it must have been difficult for him to speak. However, he never at any point brought up his own troubles and focused solely on the tribulations and the correct course of treatment of the patient we had brought to the hospital.

Paying on time

2008-11-20T08:51:00.000-05:00

Unit 41 tells me how important it was to Michael that workers always got paid on time. When Michael built the Hatzoloh garage on Grove Street he was responsible for signing off on work that was complete. When he heard that someone was not paid right away despite him having signed off on it, he stormed into a board meeting and said "if my name is on it you pay it on time" Such was his way, black and white..there was no room for gray

Memories....

2008-11-19T10:12:00.000-05:00

I will start with this beautiful post from YWN...

Yes chaza”l say that Hashem takes those he loves to Himself as He were picking a beautiful rose from a garden.

Mechoel Z”l was by all definitions a very special person, who lived for everyone but himself. Totally selfless, always getting involved in other peoples needs.I remember him when he was yet a young bochur, he was always talking about people in trouble, or with problems, and how they could be helped.

In his business he always found new ways to give a break or help those in need. His whole life was one huge kiddush Hashem.

Truly a great loss to klal yisroel in general, and to his family and acquaintances, in particular, and to all those he helped without seeking any publicity or fanfare.

Since he was niftar after much yesurim, he has received any kaporoh he needed, and will surely go straight to gan eden where he will surely beseech all the other tzadikim there to join him in begging Hashem to finally end all the suffering and hardships of klal yisroel.

He will surely be a “meilitz yosher” for his wonderful wife/almana and his children which in all his activities he has never neglected in any way.

Tehay nishmosso tzrura bitzror hachaim. Zechuso yogen oleinu

Tzedaka Links

2008-11-18T12:05:00.004-05:00

If you'd like to make donations in memory of R Michoel Binyomin ben R' Dov, the following is a list of Tzedaka organizations that he was actively involved in. Tizku L'Mitzvos

Hatzoloh EMS
19 Grove St, Monsey NY 10952

Bikur Cholim
25 Robert Pitt Dr, Monsey NY 10952

Tomche Shabbos
POB 847, Monsey NY 10952

Gemach Keren Hachesed
6 Blauvelt Rd, Monsey NY 10952

Kupath Ezra
28 Blauvelt Rd, Monsey NY 10952

Kolel Shomre Hachamos Reb Meir Baal Haness
18 Heyward St. Brooklyn, NY 11211

Cong. Zichron Yochanan
4 Meadow Lane, Monsey NY 10952