BDE: Reb Yaakov (Yankele) Portugal, z"l

YS GOLD 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Yaakov Portugal, z"l, a longtime Williamsburg resident and an ardent Skulener chossid. He was 86 years of age. 

He was born in Tchernowitz, in war-torn Romania, and orphaned at a young age when his mother was killed in the war, and his father was drafted to the Romanian army. Like an angel of mercy, the Rebbe, Rav Eliezer Zusia of Skulen, zt"l, adoped him, along with many other orphans, treating Yankele like his own child. Not only the Rebbe, but his son, Rav Yisroel Avrohom as well, regarded him like family.

He spent a number of years with the Skulener Rebbe in Bucharest as the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin cared for hundreds of boys and girls, spiritually and materially with extraordinary care and devotion. 

The Rebbe married him off, and thanks to this, he was able to establish a beautiful Torah family. 

But the impressions and the experiences of being raised in such a lofty, holy, and spiritual home never left him. He remained a repository of stories and anecdotes, and he remained part of the Skulener family for all his life. He was a pillar of the Skulener kehillah in Williamsburg where he will be mourned and missed. 

The levaya will take place at the Skulener Beis Medrash in Williamsburg, 131 Keap Street, at 2:00, and at 4:00, it will take place at the Beis Hachaim in Monsey. 

Yehi zichro baruch.