Rabbi Reuven Tzvi Yehuda (Hershel) Feigelstock (5683-9 Kislev 5781/1923-November 25, 2020) was an elder Chabad chassid, one of the founders of the Chabad community in Montreal, and director of the local Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva for over forty years. He previously served as chairman of the Education Committee in Montreal.

Life History edit

Born in 5683/1923 in Vienna, Austria, to a family that was not affiliated with Chabad chassidim. During his childhood, he merited to see the Frierdiker Rebbe when he visited the healing springs near Vienna.

When he was a young boy, World War II broke out, and he fled together with his brother, R' Moshe, and several other bochurim toward England. While at sea, they were detained by British security forces who suspected they might be spying for the Germans since they spoke both English and German. They were sent to a detention camp in New Brunswick, Canada.

Although they were not Chabad chassidim, the bochurim wrote to the Frierdiker Rebbe, who worked to secure their release and instructed Rabbi Shmuel Levitin to handle the matter. These efforts bore fruit, and toward Pesach 5702/1942, the young men (including R' Aaron Klein and R' Yehuda Shpatz) were released. They entered to study at Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Montreal, and subsequently became Chabad chassidim over time.

While still a bochur, he began helping with the management of local educational institutions in Montreal. His wedding to his wife, Mrs. Sarah Esther, took place on 3 Cheshvan 5710/1949, and he merited that the Rebbe arranged the kiddushin at his chuppah.

In 5713/1953, he was appointed as the director of the local Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva, a position he held for about forty years until 5754/1994. Even when he asked the Rebbe to leave his position, the Rebbe instructed him to continue his work.

Alongside his role in the yeshiva, he was involved in Chabad activities in Montreal and its surroundings. In 5719/1959, together with Rabbi Shalom DovBer Mochkin, he established "Gan Israel - Montreal" camp in the Quebec mountains, and was also among the founders of the local branch of Tzeirei Agudas Chabad.

He passed away on 9 Kislev 5781/2020, at the age of 98.

Family edit

His son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Feigelstock - Rabbi of the Chabad community, Rosh Yeshiva of Tomchei Tmimim, and the Rebbe's shliach in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
His son, Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock - Av Beis Din and the Rebbe's shliach in Vancouver, Canada.
His son, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Feigelstock - Montreal, Canada.
His son, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Feigelstock - Los Angeles, California.
His son, Rabbi Yehoshua Feigelstock - Los Angeles, California.
His son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Feigelstock, of blessed memory.
His daughter, Sterna Greisman - Crown Heights.
His daughter, Rivka Teitelbaum - Miami, Florida.
His daughter, Chaya Medalie - Johannesburg, South Africa.
His daughter, Devorah Leah Davidson - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

External Links edit

Private Entrance • A Few Blocks Away • Through the Eyes of a Child • Matters of Management - Rabbi Feigelstock is interviewed for the 'My Encounter' program by JEM
The Resignation Was Not Accepted, in the 'My Encounter' bulletin published by JEM - 280 Shabbos Parshas Noach 5781
Rabbi Feigelstock shares his personal memories from his days as a bochur in the Rebbe's court
Dedicated Educator in Montreal for 75 Years • Pioneer of Jewish Education in North America (English)
Montreal Educator Looks Back on 70 Years as a Chabad Shliach (English)