By Rabbi Eliyahu Krupnick

My father Mr. Samson Krupnick, z"l was born in 1913 in the city of Barditchov, a seventh generation descendant of the saintly Rav Levi Yitchak and of Rav Pinchas of Koretz. By the age of eight he had already experienced two pogroms, at which time his family fled to America.  After his studies and marriage, his first position was being a teacher of Jewish studies in Sioux City, Iowa. Although the economic depression forced him to go into the business world, he always considered teaching his favorite occupation, and wherever he was, he would give classes and lectures, particularly on Pirke Avoth, on which he eventually published a book.

At an early age he sensed the spiritual needs of his People, particularly the younger generation who were growing up in a spiritual wilderness before the Jewish day schools were established, and at a time when most of the rabbis who arrived from Europe could not yet communicate with the youth in English. Mr. Krupnick organized Friday night Oneg Shabbath get-togethers which were attended by 200 young people, giving them a taste of Shabbath and a taste of Torah. Subsequently he was active in setting up educational institutions and Yeshivos in Chicago and in the course of time emerged as one of the outstanding leaders of the American Jewish community. He was chairman of dozens of organizations for Torah and Chessed and the Land of Israel, contributing endlessly of his time, energy, and wealth for countless causes.

In 1965 he fulfilled his dream to make aliyah to Israel, abandoning his business enterprises and parting with close relatives. Within a short time he became involved in dozens of organizations and institutions. He served as chairman of the board of directors of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the Talmudic Encyclopedia, Kerem Beyavne Yeshiva, and many others, and was recognized as an expert adviser and outstanding fundraiser. He once said that when wealthy people would see him from far, they already knew that it would cost them money. But nevertheless they loved him and respected him since they knew that he was sincere and gained no personal benefit, and contributed much his own money as well.

He was famous for bringing the dinner method of fundraising to Israel. One of the first and favorite institutions for which he organized dinners was Dvar Yerushalayim, in the early years in the succah of his building, and in recent years in the Yeshiva. A director of an organization for whom Mr. Krupnick used to organize annual dinners recently informed him that since he had reached the age of 65 he could no longer make the effort. Mr. Krupnick at the age of 95 would not hear of that, and encouraged him to continue.

Beside his tireless efforts on behalf of large organizations and institutions, his door was always open to countless individuals to whom he opened his heart and his mind to give advice and encouragement, as well as financial aid.

At a time when the trend is to be egoistic and to seek personal comfort, it is important for us to remember this exemplary personality who was always first to volunteer when something had to be done, and would contribute endless amounts of time, energy, and money until the mission was carried out.

He was also an example of unshakable belief and trust in HaShem, professing constantly that all that He does is for our ultimate good. This is what gave him the strength to endure strife and anguish and huge financial losses without losing his joy in life. Perhaps one of the reasons that he was granted longevity was the merit that he was always the first to come to Shul and the last to leave. He inherited the Ahavath Yisrael of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Barditchov, and had a close brotherly relationship with all segments of the Jewish People, and contributed to a wide variety of institutions. He enjoyed visiting Jewish communities all over the world, learning their needs, and then tried to help them.

Mr. Krupnick had a remarkable power of prayer. One of example was when his wife underwent open-heart surgery: suddenly a nurse came out of the operating room and notified him that her heart stopped beating, and that they are trying to revive her. Mr. Krupnick closed his eyes and prayed, and a few minutes later the nurse emerged again to announce that they had succeeded. Afterwards Mrs. Krupnick described what she had experienced during those critical moments of clinical death. She said that when her heart stopped, she – the soul – left the body, and began drifting away. Then she felt a beaming light (perhaps of the Shechina) that gave her such spiritual joy that she had no more desire to return to physical life. But then she felt her husband grabbing her hand and pulling her back to her body.

Mr. Krupnick served as a "shliach tzibur" on the High Holidays for 70 years, including the last Yom Kippur of his life. He knew well the needs of his people, and felt their suffering, and would beseech Heavenly mercy in the tradition of his holy ancestors.  It is our hope and trust that he will continue to be our faithful "sheliach tzibur" before the "kisai Hakavod" on behalf of his family, his People, and all the institutions of Torah and Chessed, that they may continue to spread and increase Torah and kindness until the final redemption and Techiyath Hamesim.

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