BDE: The Bercher Rebbe, zt”l

YS Gold 

We regret to inform you of the passing of the Bercher Rebbe, Rav Menachem Pinchos Rokeach, zt”l. He was 98 years old, and served in rabbonus for more than seventy years. 

The rebbe descended from the greatest luminaries in the Chassidic movement, including the Bnei Yisoschor and the Admorim of Belz. 

He was born in Berch to Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech and Rebbetzin Chaya Hinda Rokeach in 1925. 

The family arrived in America in 1938, seeing the writing on the wall about the churban that was to come. 

Menachem Pinchos enrolled in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, and became an ardent talmid of Rav Reuven Grozovsky, zt”l.  He moved on to the elite chaburah of Beis Medrash Elyon in Monsey where he continued to grow in his learning.  

He married, tbl”ch, his rebbetzin who hailed from the Yolles family of Montreal, and began his career in Rabbonus— a calling that would span more than seven decades. 

He served in communities small and large, bringing a passion and a kindness to his rabbinic work that left an indelible impression on his congregants. 

With the petirah of his father, the Bercher Rebbe, he took over the Bercher shul, which he faithfully presided over, preserving the legacy of his holy ancestors. 

He had a special place for the mitzvah of kibbud aim, caring with great dedication for his mother, the previous rebbetzin, who passed away at the age of 103. 

The rebbe continued his dedicated work for all his years and was known in the Boro Park community for his kindness to all. 

The rebbe was niftar over Shabbos at the age of 98, leaving behind beautiful Torah generations. 

The levaya will take place at 10:30 this evening at the Bercher shul, on the corner of 16th Avenue and 54th Street. 

Yehi zichro baruch.