BDE: Reb Hersh Sternheim, z”l, 101, Link to Lizensk

We are saddened to inform you of the petirah of Reb Hersh Sternheim, z”l, a remnant of old world Galicia, who brought over so much of the song and the spirit that lived in that bygone world.

Reb Hersh was born in Lizensk, in the year 1920. In his youth, he absorbed much of the ways of the old chassidim of Galicia. Along with his brother, he spent the war years in Holland. Following the war, he came

A grandchild describes him as a deeply regal presence, whom they never heard raise his voice in all the years that they knew him. Despite his suffering, having lost a daughter in his lifetime, he always carried himself with a smile, and never wanted to be a burden on anyone. “It is fitting that the levaya will take place on Rosh Chodesh, when hespedim are forbidden… it is exactly the way he would have wanted it,” they said.

Reb Hersh was a true Galicianer chossid, and with that came a deep eidelkeit, a refinement. You could never hear a bad word about another person emanate from his lips. He abhorred materialism, and always sought to stay out of the limelight.

“You didn’t find such people anymore,” observed an acquaintance.

He cared for his wife with incredible devotion, without limit.

The Sternheim’s davened in Bluzev all the years, and he was exceptionally close with the old Bluzever Rebbe.

Reb Hersh was an expert in chassidishe neginah, memorizing perfectly hundreds of niggunim that came from Poland and Galicia, along with precise dates and origins. He was also an incredible ba’al tefillah, who instilled tremendous feeling in his listeners.

His levaya will take place at the Bluzever Shul, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, with kevurah in the Bobover chelkah.

Yehi Zichro Baruch.