The Jewish Community of Manchester was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Rav of the Machzikei Hadass Communities, Rav Menachem Mendel Schneebalg zatzal. The Rav was 99 years old.

Born to his distinguished parents, Harav Dovid Zvi and Babtche Scheebalg zichronom livracha, in Rumania in 1921, the Rav learned under the author of the Damesek Eliezer of Vizhnitz.  Having served as a Rav firstly in Damesek Eliezer in Prestwich, then as Rav of the Machzikei Haddass, Rav Schneebalg was not only a link to previous generations of Chassidic leaders, he was a much loved Torah personality, respected across the range of Orthodox communities in Manchester.

The development of Manchester into the world-renowned host of Torah that it is today, is largely due to the efforts of the late Rav, who invested much efforts into the development of its dozens of Torah institutions and his impact on hundreds of families over the many decades he served as Rav.

The author of numerous Torah works, including Sifsei Ani on Halacha and on the Torah, the Rav also leaves behind a distinguished family of Rabbonim both in the USA and in the UK.

His Levaya, which began at 12:00am on Motzaei Yom Tov, was scheduled to continue to London, with Kevurah in Eretz Yisrael.

Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet.