BDE: Rav Shmuel Dovid Weissmandl, z”l, Casualty of Tri-State Storm

We regret to inform you of the unfortunate passing of Rav Weissmandl, a son of the ga’on, tsaddik, and hero of Holocaust rescue, Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandl, zt”l. He was seventy years of age.

He was making his way from Monsey to Mt. Kisco last night, when his car was flooded by high water on the Tappan Zee Bridge. He tragically did not make it out… bringing the tragedy of 1000-year-storm much closer to home for our community.

Rav Weissmandl was one of the pillars of the Nitra-Mount Kisco community, which was founded by his illustrious father who transplanted the glory of prewar Nitra yeshiva to the Westchester suburb. Rav Michoel Ber was the son in law of the previous Nitra Rov, Rav Shmuel Dovid Ungar, zt”l, for whom the niftar was named. Rav Weissmandl was a prominent askan in the community.

Compounding the tragedy was the fact that his family made valiant efforts to rescue him from the high flood waters, sending out urgent calls for anyone with larger cars to retrieve him from the bridge. Sadly, the decree had been sealed.

Rescue and relief organizations in our community worked hard with the authorities to ensure kavod hameis, and he will be laid to rest in Nitra, alongside his illustrious family.

Yehi Zichro Baruch.