Reb Kalman, son of Rabbi Mayer Mendelsohn obm, a Gerrer Chossid from Israel, passed away this past Shabbos Parshas Pinchus, 21 Tammuz at his home in Jerusalem.
Reb Kalman studied at the famous Yeshivas Chiddushei Harim where he maintained a close connection with the famed Mashgiach, Reb Gadl Eisner.
After his marriage, he worked with his father at Mosdos Bobov and Klauzenberg where his father Rav Meir served as Rosh HaYeshiva, and he was one of the founders of the Ger Mesivta in New York.
Reb Kalman also assisted his father in managing and building the famous Mendelsohn’s Pizza and Dairy Restaurant in Boro Park, Brooklyn, making it a place for families to be able to enjoy a fresh, nourishing and affordable hot meal in a proper environment.
When his father moved to Israel Reb Kalman completely took over the daily operations, where we served the community with his warm heart and broad smile and always providing words of Chizuk and encouragement to everyone.
The store, at “the crossroads of Boro Park and Flatbush and also frequented by families from Crown Heights and as far away as Williamsburg and Manhattan”.
Mendelsohn’s, under the ownership of R’ Kalman also became a place of Chesed for the entire New York community and beyond. Shiva homes would receive large orders with full meals for the entire family, at no charge.
Newly-married couples would come to Mendelsohn’s during Sheva Brachos for a free delicious lunch as a wedding gift and would also receive Brachos from Reb Kalman.
Travelers representing organizations and those collecting for personal family and health matters, from Eretz Yisroel or Europe to seek help in America, knew that they could get a fresh hot meal, a warm smile, a listening ear and good advice, at Reb Kalman’s restaurant on 18th Avenue, and all at no charge.
Often over the years, reb Kalman was observed with his Gemora under his arm while serving his customers.
The Mendelsohn’s home in Boro Park was open to guests at all times. Their Shabbos table often had up to twenty Yeshiva boys in addition to many others.
Reb Kalman moved to Zichron Moshe in Yerushalayim several years ago and would come often to visit his family in New York.
Reb Kalman would often visit the Ohel Moshe Chevra Thilim Lubavitch Shul on Ocean Parkway, where he felt at home and where his son Motti serves as the Gabbai. His close relationship with Lubavitch began when Growing up in Crown Heights within the than blossoming Lubavitch community. Kalman soon developed a strong connection to the Rebbe and the Lubavitch community.
He would often tell us of an incident which happened when he was about 5 years old. While playing ball at the corner of Kingston Avenue and President Street near Raskin’s Fruit, he recalled running to retrieve the ball, he ran into the street and directly into oncoming traffic. Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shirt, pulling him to safety. Looking up, he saw that it was the Lubavitcher Rebbe who had saved him.
The Mendelsohn home in Zichron Moshe became a home of Chesed as it was in New York. Even on his final Shabbos, there were many guests at the Friday night Shabbos table at the Mendelsohn home in Jerusalem.
Reb kalman was Niftar while resting on Shabbos morning at home.
Reb Kalman Mendelsohn is survived by his wife, Basya and his children Motti Mendelsohn, Heshy Mendelsohn, Meyer Mendelsohn, Chaya Friedman, Devorah Weinberg and Esther Chana Nussbaum, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings, Miriam Weber, Rochele Abramowitz, Leah Greenbaum, Menachem Mendelsohn, Yankel Mendelsohn.
The levayah took place on Motzei Shabbos in Yerushalayim and the Kevurah is at Har HaZeisim, near his father.
Shiva in New York is at 1809 – 51 Street in Boro Park, Brooklyn NY, until Friday midday.
Yehei Zichro Baruch.