Rebbetzin Chana Greenbaum A”H, Daughter of Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz ZT”L and Pioneer of Torah Life in Monsey, Nifteres at 104
Monsey Scoop regrets to inform you of the petira of Rebbetzin Chana Greenbaum A”H, daughter of the Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz ZT”L, one of the founding figures of Torah chinuch in America. The Rebbetzin was nifteres at the age of 104, leaving behind a remarkable legacy closely connected to the development of Yiddishkeit in Monsey and Spring Valley.
Rebbetzin Greenbaum was the wife of Rav Dov Greenbaum ZT”L, a respected rov and mechanech who played a major role in establishing and expanding Torah education in Rockland County. In 1951, Rav Greenbaum assumed leadership of Yeshiva of Spring Valley, which at the time had approximately 30 students and faced significant financial challenges. Under his leadership, the yeshiva grew into a major Torah institution, with enrollment exceeding 700 students by 1983.
The Rebbetzin’s father, Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz ZT”L, was the legendary menahel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and a driving force behind Torah Umesorah and Bais Medrash Elyon. His efforts helped lay the foundation for the flourishing Torah communities and yeshivos across America.
Together with her husband, Rebbetzin Greenbaum witnessed and contributed to the transformation of Monsey and Spring Valley from small communities into thriving centers of Torah and Yiddishkeit. Following Rav Greenbaum’s petira in 1982, his extraordinary contributions to Jewish education were recognized in a tribute entered into the Congressional Record by Congressman Benjamin Gilman.
Her petira comes just months after the petira of her younger sister, Rebbetzin Shulamis Schiff A”H, wife of Rav Shea Schiff ZT”L, the longtime Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Bais Shraga in Monsey, who was nifteres in July at the age of 98.
Rebbetzin Greenbaum leaves behind five children, Reb Shlomo Greenbaum, Reb Shraga Greenbaum, Mrs. Risky Kirzner, Mrs. Yehudis Shain, and Mrs. Mimi Rosenbaum, along with many grandchildren and further generations of descendants.
