BDE: R’ Meir Shammai Helfgott, z”l

YS Gold 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Meir Shammai Helfgott, z”l, a longtime Boro Park resident, and an ardent Viznitzer chossid. He was 93 years of age, and leaves behind an incredible legacy. 

The niftar was born on the Lower East Side of New York— a born-and-bred American who would go on to become a serious Talmid chochom. 

He learned in Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef and was close to his rebbeim there. He later went to Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon, and received semicha from Rav Dovid Liphshitz, zt”l. 

With the influx of post-Holocaust Yidden—including the Viznitzer Rebbe, the Toras Mordechai of Monsey—Reb Meir Shammai became extremely close to him, and remained an ardent Viznitzer chossid for his entire life. 

Simultaneously, he was exceptionally meticulous in mitzvos and Halacha. 

He davened for decades in the Viznitzer shul on 53rd Street in Boro Park, and was respected and beloved by the chassidim there. 

He leaves behind generations of chassidim and bnei Torah who are a credit to his legacy. 

The levaya will take place at 10:00 this morning at the Viznitzer shul on 53rd Street. 

Yehi zichro baruch.