Crown Heights Community Member Killed in Car Accident in Georgia

BROOKLYN, NY — The Crown Heights Jewish community is grieving the tragic loss of Menachem (Mendy) Raitport, who passed away Tuesday night in a devastating car accident while driving on I-95 in Georgia. He was 57.

Raitport, a longtime and widely respected figure in Crown Heights, was returning home from Florida with one of his sons when the accident occurred. Miraculously, his son escaped serious injury.

Born, raised, and educated in Brooklyn, Raitport was known for his deep commitment to Torah, mitzvos, and meticulous adherence to halacha—especially in the complex field of Nikur, the removal of forbidden fats and sinews from kosher meat. For many years, he owned and operated Crown Kosher Meat Market on Kingston Avenue, where he was known for upholding the highest standards of kashrus.

TRAFFIC ALERT
I-95 northbound is closed in the vicinity of the overpass that goes over Quacco Road after a three vehicle collision resulting in one fatality. GSP is investigating. Drivers should take alternate routes.

— Chatham County Police Department (@ChathamCountyPD) April 23, 2025

In recent years, he worked as a Menaker in shechita operations under the supervision of several prominent hechsherim, including CHK and Skver.

Raitport was also deeply active in community service. He served as an EMT and participated in emergency response efforts, often performing acts of kindness quietly and without recognition. Friends and neighbors recall him as someone whose sense of responsibility to his fellow Jew was constant and sincere.

He brought this same drive to public service, running for political office multiple times under the Conservative Party banner. Though never elected, he was widely admired for his passion and integrity, advocating for safer streets, improved education, and better support for small businesses and families.

Raitport came from a family renowned for their generosity and dedication to Jewish life. His parents, Yitzchok and Shaindel Raitport of Boro Park, are well-known philanthropists active in both local and international Jewish causes. His father is also a noted Torah scholar and author of several seforim.

He is survived by his wife, Esther, and their eight children—Eliyahu, Yehuda, Shloimy, Dovid, Dubi, Avrami, Zevi, and Chanoch—as well as his siblings and extended family. He was predeceased by his brother Sholom Dovber Raitport.

The levaya will take place Thursday in Crown Heights, passing by 770 Eastern Parkway at 12:00 PM, with burial at 1:00 PM at Montefiore Cemetery.