Rabbi Yosef Goldberg, a resident of Boro Park, Brooklyn who was a dear friend of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, passed away on Wednesday, 11 Sivan, 5783.
He was 92.
Rabbi Goldberg was a child when his parents passed away and with brochos and support from the Frierdiker Rebbe, he supported his siblings and developed a close relationship with the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka.
In 1950, after the passing of the previous Rebbe, he had a dire need and approached the Rebbe for help. The Rebbe said to him, “go ask the Rebbe (meaning the previous Rebbe). Rabbi Goldberg quipped back, “which Rebbe are you referring to?” The Rebbe responded, “Yossel you are also playing games.”
He had a longtime friendship with the Rebbetzin, and taught the Rebbetzin to drive in 1952-53.
While teaching her to drive on a spring day, she made a sharp turn on Eastern Parkway, and his hat flew out the window and was ruined by cars on the road. The next day, when arriving for lessons, she brought the Rebbe’s hat as a replacement, which he would not accept, Rabbi Goldberg told.
He and his brother Levi Goldberg ran a car rental on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn for many years and would service the Rebbetzin’s Cadillac at their shop. When the car was in the shop, so as not to have the Rebbetzin wait on the repairs, he would give her a lift to her home on President Street, all the while chatting together. When the car was done, R’ Yossel would deliver the car to her. He was never willing to accept any payments for the repairs.
The Rebbetzin once expressed herself to Rabbi Krinsky that “her dearest friend is Yossel Goldberg.”
He is survived by his wife Tzupi Goldberg, and children Menachem Goldberg (Boro Park), Rochel Bukiet (Chicago, IL), Bassie Spalter (Toronto, Ontario), Devorah Munitz (Monsey, New York), Yehuda Goldberg (Monsey, New York), Shmuel Goldberg (Scranton, PA).
He is also survived by his siblings Devora Marcovich (Mexico City), Yaspah Werner and Levi Goldberg (Boro Park).
The Levaya will take place today, Wednesday at 1:00 Shomrei Hadas Chapel, 2:00 passing 770, 3:30 Wellwood Cemetery.
Shiva information:
Shiva for the entire week will be at: 15 Olympia Lane, Monsey, NY.
Davening in Monsey: Shachris: 7:30 and 9:00. Mincha and Maariv 8:00 and later. Shiva home is open all day long until 10:00 pm.
Yaspah Werner and Levi Goldberg at their homes in Boro Park.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
There are Mosdos Hatorah that are in existence today because of his hidden generosity. Yehi Zichroh Boruch!
BD’E a true Chosid in every way, always had a smile, a good word. He made a Kiddish Lubavitch wherever he went.
He leaves behind an amazing family of children and grandchildren, oozing with kindness! Our condolences to the whole Goldberg family.
Reb Yosef ע״ה was an amazing בעל תוקעה every sound was perfect. He blew shofar in the tzemech tzedek shuls for the past 20 years