Rabbi Binyamin David Libkind, legendary administrator of the 'Kol Torah' yeshiva, has passed away
Libkind, 74, managed the Jerusalem yeshiva for about a quarter of a century and worked for the benefit of the needy and at-risk youth. In 1974, he immigrated to Israel alone, served as an officer in the Air Force, and was awarded the 'Yakir Yerushalayim' (Worthy Citizen of Jerusalem) title.
Rabbi Binyamin David Brian Libkind, who served for about 25 years as the administrator of the 'Kol Torah' yeshiva in the Bayit VeGan neighborhood of Jerusalem, has passed away. Libkind, who died tonight after a severe illness, was 74 years old.
Libkind was born in 1952 in Buffalo, New York. Even in his childhood, he was involved in Jewish and Zionist activities, and after the Six-Day War, he organized support rallies and fundraising for the development of Jerusalem, assistance to the needy, and support for IDF soldiers.
In the United States, he graduated with honors in sociology and began working in the field. In 1974, he immigrated to Israel alone, enlisted in the IDF, and served as an officer in the Air Force. After his discharge, he continued active reserve duty until nearly age 50, even though he was already a father of a large family.
In 1980, he was called to establish and manage the Department for the Elderly in the Bnei Brak municipality. Eight years later, his rabbi, the Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (of blessed memory), asked him to move to Jerusalem to help stabilize the 'Kol Torah' yeshiva and to stand by the side of the yeshiva's founder, Rabbi Elchanan Moshe Kunstadt (of blessed memory).
For about a quarter of a century, Libkind managed the yeshiva and worked to expand it and establish its institutions. Among other things, he was involved in the development and construction of the yeshiva campus in the Bayit VeGan neighborhood. Alongside his work at the yeshiva, he also worked on fundraising and encouraging immigration to Israel.
According to the Jerusalem Municipality, throughout the years, Libkind secretly helped the needy, including many students of the yeshiva, and worked to promote at-risk youth. He continued to contribute his money and skills to charity and kindness institutions in the city, and among other things, he established the 'LeTorah VeLeTefilah' synagogue in the Kiryat HaYovel neighborhood.
For his activity in establishing the world of Torah in Jerusalem and his work for the needy and at-risk youth, he was awarded the 'Yakir Yerushalayim' (Worthy Citizen of Jerusalem) honorary title.
In the final weeks of his life, while using his last remaining strength, he completed the writing of a Torah scroll. Libkind is survived by sons and daughters, sons-in-law, and descendants.
