London – Britain’s community of orthodox Jews is still in shock following the sudden death of the philanthropist who called himself “God’s postman”.
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The official period of mourning for Benzion Dunner ended at the weekend, but friends say his absence will be felt for much, much longer.
Mr Dunner was a one-off. Two days before his fatal road accident, Mr Dunner opened his home in Golders Green, north London, to any member of his community who had been hit by hard times. According to one witness, thousands joined the queue.
Every one was received with a smile and an attentive ear – including a few, it is said, that Mr Dunner knew and did not like, but who were treated courteously all the same. He stayed up until 4am, so that no one went away empty-handed.
By then, he had distributed cheques totalling about two million pounds, [4 million USD$.] Even by the standards of orthodox Jews, whose religion requires them to be charitable, Mr Dunner was well known for his exuberant generosity.
One man who approached him during one of his visits to New York asking for US$200 was given US$15,000.
Read extended article [new zeland herald]
In the New zealand Herald 10,000 miles away from London you’ll read it. In the Guardian, the I.T. Herald, and the BBC you won’t find it. I just searched BBC.CO.UK. The Only thing that came up was a story about a Bais Yaakov school that got lost and had be rescued. All of it portraying the girls very negatively. Halach biyadua….
He (Reb Bentzion Dunner ZTZ”L) was surely one of the LAMED VOV tzaddikim (Thirty Six Righteous people, the Pillars of this world), a Baal Madreiga in Tzedaka V’Chesed. It’s amazing that he lived his daily life to fulfill the Bracha of his Grandfather, who blessed him to be “A Poor Man with lots of money”!
I am sure he was very special. Maybe we can try to be a little bit like him in whatever way we can. To do Chesed whenever not when it is convenient.
The fact that this was picked up as far away as the New Zealand Herald shows how far reaching Mr. Dunner’s impact was. While I never knew him personally, it’s obvious that he will be sorely missed the world over.
great guy will be missed by klall yisroel
last sentence of article inaccurate.
the man went in “expecting a few hundred dollars” not ‘asking’ for two
hundred dollars when he received 15
thousand.
Harav Hatzadik V”kadush Ben Zion Dunner ZT”L You made Klal Yisroel Proud. You are an example for all of us. Torah,yiras shomaim and CHESED Etc.