Borough Park, NY – Photos: Thousands Mourn Rabbi Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld, Matersdorfer Rebbe, At Brooklyn Funeral

Brooklyn, NY – Several thousand mourners turned out this afternoon in Borough Park to pay their respects to the Matersdorfer Rebbe, Rabbi Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld, who passed away this morning in his late eighties following an illness.

A direct descendant of the Chasam Sofer and Rabbi Akiva Eiger, Rabbi Ehrenfeld has been the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Chasan Sofer in Brooklyn since the passing of his father, Rabbi Shmuel Ehrenfeld, nearly forty years ago.

Rabbi Ehrenfeld taught generations of students in his lifetime, frequently referencing the final wishes of the Chasam Sofer who asked his students to continue expanding the study of Torah. He was also a long time member of Agudath Israel of America’s Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah.

Rabbi Avrohom Perl, national director of the Agudah’s Commission on Torah Projects, attended Yeshiva Chasan Sofer through high school and also spent summers in the same bungalow colony as Rabbi Ehrenfeld.

“If there was one thing that stands out it was that he was always learning,” Rabbi Perl told VIN News. “You would walk into his office in yeshiva and there was always an abundance of seforim open on the table.”

Students respected Rabbi Ehrenfeld, but never feared him, said Rabbi Perl.

“Everybody wanted to look good in his presence,” recalled Rabbi Perl. “His oldest son was in my class and I don’t know if he had a special affinity for us because of that, but he always made me feel validated and nurtured.”

As a member of Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, Rabbi Ehrenfeld was a frequent guest at Agudah dinners and conventions.

“He came almost every year to the convention as his health allowed, barring other commitments, speaking at Shalosh Seudos for many years,” said Rabbi Perl. “He spoke at a number of times at the Siyum Hashas events and would come to the Moetzes meetings, taking part by phone when he wasn’t well enough to participate in person.”

Borough Park resident Ari Noe, a Chasan Sofer parent, said that the school has a reputation for its educational standards and for producing students with fine character. Rabbi Ehrenfeld was also well known for his modesty, according to Noe.

“We lost a giant today,” said Noe.

Several yeshivos closed their batei medrash today, sending students instead to take part in the over three hour long funeral at Yeshiva Chasan Sofer. Among those who eulogized Rabbi Eherenfeld were the Novominsker Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, Rabbi Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha and Rabbi Dovid Schustal, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha and Rabbi Ehrenfeld’s nephew.

A second funeral will take place tomorrow in Israel in Kiryat Matersdorf, and Rabbi Ehrenfeld will be laid to rest next to his father on Har Hamenuchos.
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