BDE: Rav Shmuel Dovid Weissmandel Passes Away During Flooding

NEW YORK (VINnews) — In a tragic turn of events, Rav Shmuel Weissmandel of Kiryat Nitra passed away Wednesday night, while driving through the flooding to Mount Kisco.

The incident occurred on the NY State Thruway near the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Rabbi Weissmandel was driving on his way to his home in Mount Kisco, when his car started to get submerged in the extreme flooding that was seen in much of New York and New Jersey throughout the night.

After he let his family know what was happening, his son Moshe put out a call for help on WhatsApp, looking for anyone who might have a stronger vehicle to help rescue his father.

Ultimately, Rabbi Weismmandel passed away in the vehicle before anyone reached him. The cause of death is unknown at this time, as it may have been caused by the water or a heart attack.

Rabbi Weissmandel was 69 years old. He was the son of Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandel, who served as the Rosh Yeshiva in Nitra, and is famous for his efforts to save Jews during WWII under extreme risk to his own self.