Staten Island, NY – Mother Eulogizes Son As Hundreds Attend Funeral Of Dovid Winiarz

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    Mrs. Chaya Subar mother of Reb Dovid eulogizes son (Shimon Gifter/VINnews)Staten Island, NY – Approximately 500 people turned out this morning at the Young Israel of Staten Island to bid farewell to Dovid Winiarz, a 49 year old local man known for his communal activities and his outreach efforts on Facebook, using social media to bring unaffiliated Jews back to their religious roots.

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    As previously reported on VIN News, Winiarz was killed in a fatal collision yesterday, caused by icy road conditions on his way to a kiruv convention in the Baltimore area.

    Winiarz was eulogized by Reb Reuven Feinstein, Rabbi Dovid Harris, Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss, Rabbi Yaakov Lehrfeld, his sons Shaya and Eli, his son in law Yosef Simon, his brother Shmuel and his mother, Mrs. Chaya Subar.

    Mrs. Subar beamed with pride as she spoke passionately about her son.

    “What mother would not be beyond, beyond proud to hear all the words that were spoken. I have been proud since January 2, 1966, when my baby boy was born.”

    Mrs. Subar addressed the suddenness of her son’s passing.

    “Hakadosh Baruch Hu gave us a gift for 49 years and he wanted his gift back,” said Mrs. Subar. “I don’t blame him. You think a short life? No. He filled into these 49 years many lifetimes. That is the gift this neshama left us. Let’s not waste it. ”

    Mrs. Subar urged everyone in the room to continue her son’s legacy.

    “That is the greatest kavod we can give this neshama by continuing his philosophy. His philosophy was ‘a pintele yid is noch a yid’. Every Jew is precious no matter what label they carry…He knew that well and he practiced it well and that is what we have to do now is to continue the gifts that he left us.”

    Speaking of his father’s passion for outreach, Winiarz’s eldest son Shaya recalled how he would say, “Wherever I go, I am going to plant seeds. Hopefully they’ll grow one day. It’s not my job to decide if they grow or not. That will be Hashem’s job. I just have to plant seeds.”

    Shaya also recalled how one of his father’s Facebook followers was out of state while his mother was hospitalized in Manhattan and how his father decided to go into city to perform the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim. Not wanting to squander his travel time driving, Winiarz elected to take the train and use the time to spread simcha among his fellow travelers.

    “He took 100 or 200 of his ‘Keep Smiling’ cards and he went on the train to Manhattan. He walked up and down the entire train giving everyone two cards. ‘Here’s a smile for you and give one to someone else.’ He just wanted to make other people happy.”

    Photos below Credit: Shimon Giftre/VINnews.com


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    9 Comments
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    gezinterheit
    gezinterheit
    9 years ago

    Such touching words. She is so strong. After such a sudden tragedy.
    and also his son gave such a powerful speech.
    Hamukem Yenachem Eschem B’Soch Sharei Aveila Tzion V’Yerushalayim
    May They never know of any more tzaar..

    zooog
    zooog
    9 years ago

    Very unique

    bennym
    bennym
    9 years ago

    I did not merit to know this giant, but am moved beyond words to read about his great legacy. We should all strive to help other as he did. Yehai Zichro Baruch, May his memory be blessed.

    9 years ago

    The world today is a different world without Reb Dovid za”tzal. The kiruv world as well as the willowbrook community has a void I’m not sure can be filled.

    ALLAN
    ALLAN
    9 years ago

    He was one of the finest people I ever had the privilege of knowing. His relentless passion for helping others was inspiring. He truly did care for each and every Jew. I am honored to have called him my friend.

    savtainsandiego
    savtainsandiego
    9 years ago

    While we are all reeling from this tragedy, I am in awe of Mrs. Subar, shetichya, for her strength, emuna and bitochon. With such a mother, how could R’Dovid have been anything else. Yes, Mrs. Subar, we will carry on his legacy by spreading love, smiles, doing chesed, and making a positive difference in people’s lives. He lived with simchas hachayim which we should all emulate. Please G-d, no other parents should have to bury a child – youngster or adult child. May this family be blessed with gezunt, parnasah, and nachas ad mea v’esreem. Yehi Zichro Baruch. May his holy neshama rest in the highest rungs of Gan Eden where he is being meilitz yosher for his family and Klal Yisroel. Hamakom yenachem eschem bsoch sha’ar aveilei Tzion v’Yerushalayim.

    PinSh
    PinSh
    9 years ago

    R’ Dovid made me feel like I was his best friend, even though we were not in close touch all these years. He was always so excited to hear from me, even when I would tease him and challenge his “facts” after his jroot radio show. I still have a voicemail from him. He said “I hope you are doing AMAZING.” I cried like a little kid. His mother’s eulogy was so brave, so moving. I miss his warmth.

    miamisy
    miamisy
    9 years ago

    Dovid just signed us up for merchant services a few weeks ago. In negotiations I threatened to use a different service but he just brushed it off with emunah and a smile, there was nothing I could do but smile back. I didn’t know about the facebook stuff and the kiruv, I wish he told me.

    yiddischemama
    yiddischemama
    9 years ago

    Clearly the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. What emunah, bitachon and deep connection to the Aibershter Mrs. Subar displays! I did not have the zechus to know R. Winiarz AH, but his legacy is evident. HaMakom y’nachem eschem. May the family be comforted and strengthened, and may you know no more sorrow.