Obituary: Rabbi Leima Minkowicz

Rabbi Leima Minkowicz, a lifelong Jewish educator, community builder, and devoted family man, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, at the age of 85.

Rabbi Minkowicz was born in 1940 near Moscow, Russia, to Rabbi Naftali Hertz and Tonia Minkowicz. Shortly after his birth, as World War II engulfed Europe, he and his family spent the next several years on the run, moving from place to place in search of safety. After the war, the family reached Paris, where they lived for several years before immigrating to the United States in 1953. It was in New York that Rabbi Minkowicz would ultimately build his life and devote decades to Jewish education and communal service.

For many years, Rabbi Minkowicz served as the administrator of Associated Beth Rivkah Schools in Crown Heights, the flagship Chabad school for girls. His work was marked by consistency, integrity, and quiet leadership. He played an important role in the school’s growth and stability, helping guide the institution through years of expansion while remaining deeply committed to the well-being and education of its students.

Beyond his professional role, Rabbi Minkowicz was a steady and trusted presence in local community life. He served in synagogue leadership in Crown Heights and was known as someone people could always turn to — for a listening ear, a caring heart, and wise, practical advice.

Above all, Rabbi Minkowicz was deeply devoted to his family. He shared a strong and loving partnership with his wife, Shoshana, and took great pride in being actively involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family was central to his life, and his values are reflected in the generations he leaves behind.

Although much of his life was centered in New York, Rabbi Minkowicz had a meaningful impact on the Atlanta-area Jewish community, particularly in Alpharetta and North Fulton. He was instrumental in supporting and strengthening the emerging community there by serving — until his very last day — as a source of unwavering moral support and guidance to his son, Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz, who moved to Alpharetta in August 1998 to help build Jewish life in North Fulton. Behind the scenes, Rabbi Minkowicz acted as a trusted mentor and coach, offering wisdom, perspective, and encouragement to his son in building and leading the community.

Rabbi Minkowicz is survived by his wife, Shoshana Minkowicz, and his children: Sholom Minkowicz (Crown Heights), Yitzchok Minkowicz (Fort Myers, Fla.), Gitty Rosenfeld (Crown Heights), Chaya Abelsky (Crown Heights), Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz (Alpharetta, Ga.), Kenny Feigenson (Crown Heights), Laykie Donin (Houston, Texas), Ari Minkowicz (Crown Heights), and Rochie Lieberman (Crown Heights). He is also survived by his siblings: Rabbi Yosef Minkowicz (Montreal), Chana Schmukler (Montreal), Freidel Goldshmidt (Crown Heights), and Rivie Hildeshaim (Crown Heights).

Rabbi Leima Minkowicz will be remembered as a man of quiet strength, unwavering dedication, and deep integrity — someone who believed in building Jewish life thoughtfully, supporting others generously, and putting family first. His legacy lives on in the communities he helped strengthen and the many lives he touched.