Meir Ronnes
Rabbi Meir Ronnes (Teves 21, 5701 - Teves 24, 5775) was a Shliach and energetic activist in the New York areas.
Life History
Born on Teves 21, 5701 in Montreal to his parents R' Avraham and Gitel Rance. After his Bar Mitzvah, influenced by the Chabad education he received, he wanted to learn in close proximity to The Rebbe, and traveled to New York to Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim on Bedford.
Even at a young age, he was recognized as a G-d-fearing student who was meticulous about chassidic customs, and sometimes would even walk for an hour to immerse in a mikvah.
He began his activities in spreading the wellsprings at Camp Gan Israel where he was a counselor from the end of the 5710s until the middle of the 5720s.
Over the years, R' Meir developed connections with many children who became bachurim and were then studying in non-Chabad yeshivas, and he influenced them.
When Rabbi Elbaski wrote a letter to the Rebbe about Tzach activities in Crown Heights, the Rebbe commented about R' Meir: "Great is his merit (and even more so) and fortunate is his portion."
He was known for having a mobile caravan and Jewish library in Crown Heights.
Alongside the Rebbe
Over the years, he would collect funds for yeshivas, and helped many yeshivas find rabbis.
For fifty years, he continued his activities and shiurim which took place in camps, yeshivas, and more.
Rabbi Ronnes was known in 770 and Crown Heights for establishing and strengthening Tanya and Chassidus shiurim in various circles and Chassidic groups.
He passed away at age 74 on the night of Teves 24, 5775.
After his passing, a fund was established called Keren Meir in his memory.
His Family
- His son-in-law, R' Yisroel Batnik - Mashpia and Melamed at Cheder Ohr Menachem Crown Heights.
Further Reading
- Dov Levanon and Avraham Reinitz Chassid Fund Collector Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 959.