Yaakov Weinberg - Death and Legacy

Death and Legacy

Rabbi Weinberg succumbed to cancer that spread very quickly, surprising many people who knew him. His funeral was held at the Ner Israel yeshiva and was attended by several important rosh yeshivas, such as Rabbi Aaron Schechter the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin and Rabbi Yaakov Perlow the Novominsker Rebbe and rosh yeshiva, both senior members of Agudath Israel of America's Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. They, like Weinberg, were all originally proteges and disciples of Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin in Brooklyn.

Weinberg was succeeded as the senior rosh yeshiva of Ner Israel yeshiva by Rabbi Kulefsky, another disciple of both Rabbi Hutner and Rabbi Ruderman; Rabbi Aharon Feldman took his place after a short time. Unlike Rabbi Weinberg, Rabbi Feldman was accepted and serves as a full member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of the American Agudath Israel.

Following Rabbi Weinberg's death, it has been mostly the family of Rabbi Herman N. Neuberger that has dominated the yeshiva and none of Weinberg's sons have succeeded him in any official role in the Ner Israel yeshiva. Rabbi Weinberg's son-in-law, Rabbi Beryl Weisbord, was appointed as Ner Israel yeshiva's mashgiach ruchani (spiritual guide); he is married to Rabbi Weinberg's daughter Dr. Aviva Weisbord who has a doctorate in psychology.

Rabbi Weinberg's son, Rabbi Matis Weinberg, has also served as rosh yeshiva of a number of institutions in America and Israel. He is presently an international lecturer on Judaism and an author of a number of Torah works. Another son, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, is a lecturer on Judaism. He was married to the daughter of Rabbi Maurice Lamm and had served in a number of rabbinical posts, including that of rabbi of the prestigious Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan.