Avrohom Dovid Wilhelm

Rabbi Avrohom Dovid Wilhelm (19 Shevat 5689 - 5 Tammuz 5763, 1928-2003) was a Holocaust survivor, a man of chesed, and one of the prominent askanim of Crown Heights.

Life History

Born to Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Aryeh (Leib) Wilhelm and Mrs. Reizel on 19 Shevat 5689 in Mihalifalva, Romania.

At age two, he became an orphan from his father. When the Holocaust broke out, he was taken with his family to labor camps until they reached Auschwitz, where he lost his mother, brother, and two sisters. He miraculously survived after being sent to the gas chambers when a sudden order came requesting 50 strong workers for a coal mine. Due to his physical strength, he was selected and his life was saved. With mesiras nefesh, he did everything possible to continue observing mitzvos even within the camp, and even managed to build a sukkah during Sukkos.

He was later sent to Bergen-Belsen, where he stayed until the end of the war. He then moved to a displaced persons camp where he studied in the temporary yeshiva established there (which later moved to Paris and became known as 'Beis Yosef - Novardok'). Later, when his friend got married in the Pocking DP camp, he first came into contact with Lubavitcher chassidim and was captivated by them, which led him to draw closer to chassidus until he himself became a Chabad chassid.

On 3 Tammuz 5714, he married his wife Mrs. (Chana) Rivka, daughter of the chassid Reb Mordechai Dober Lokshin in Paris. They lived in Paris for three years, and in 5717 immigrated to the United States and settled in Crown Heights, where he became known for his acts of chesed and involvement for the benefit of all neighborhood residents.

He was known for his simchas hachaim and refused to speak about his wartime experiences. He also refused to accept reparations offered by the German government.

When he went into yechidus for his eldest son Moshe Aryeh's bar mitzvah, he asked whether to send his son to study English after finishing his studies at Oholei Torah. The Rebbe rejected this, saying that Moshiach is coming and therefore there is no need.

On Friday, 4 Tammuz, he was involved in a car accident and suffered broken ribs. After several hours, there was a sudden deterioration and he passed away at age 74 on Shabbos night Parshas Korach, 5 Tammuz 5763 in Crown Heights. He was buried in Montefiore Cemetery, New York.

Commemoration

For his first yahrtzeit, a siyum sefer Torah was held. The family conducted a raffle, and after Rabbi Zusha Wilhelm won, he transferred the privilege to the eldest granddaughter Mrs. Batya Rosenblum, who brought it to the Chabad synagogue at her shlichus location in South Hills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

With the establishment of Machon Ohr HaChassidus, family members joined as founders and main supporters of the institute, with many of the institute's activities and publications dedicated to his memory and for the elevation of his soul.

Family

• His siblings Yisroel Yitzchok Eizik, Chana Necha, and Rivka perished in the Holocaust
• His sister, Mrs. Rivka Grunwald, wife of Rabbi Nachum Grunwald - among the prominent Belzer chassidim
• His son, Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Wilhelm, son-in-law of the shadar Rabbi Menachem Shmuel Dovid Raichik - among the Rebbe's shluchim in Portland, Oregon
• His son, Rabbi Yeshaya Zusha Wilhelm - Rosh Mesivta Oholei Torah Crown Heights - passed away 4 Shevat 5782
• His son, R' Yisroel Wilhelm - Crown Heights
• His son, Rabbi Nachman Wilhelm - Head of online Semicha L'Rabbanus Institute (formerly - Rosh Yeshiva of Chabad Minnesota)
• His son, R' Zalman Wilhelm - Crown Heights
• His son, R' Mordechai Dober (Motti) Wilhelm - R"M in Yeshivas Lubavitch Toronto
• His daughter, Mrs. Reizel Wolvovsky - Crown Heights - passed away 18 Kislev 5782
• His daughter, Mrs. Leah - wife of Rabbi Yona Fradkin, the Rebbe's shliach in San Diego, California
• His daughter, Mrs. Chaya Sarah Barber - Crown Heights
• His daughter, Mrs. Rachel Lapidot