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BDE: Rav Aaron Meir Kraus, zt”l, ABD Sopron-Sidney

BDE: Rav Aaron Meir Kraus, zt”l, ABD Sopron-Sidney

We are saddened to inform you of the petirah of the Soproner Rov, Sopron, Sidney, Boro Park, and for the last twenty years of his life resided in Monsey, where he was beloved and respected figure. He was 97 years of age, and lived a life of Torah aristocracy, dedicated to helping others.

The Ruv was born in the town of Edelény, Hungary, an ir v’aim b’Yisroel, into a family of Rabbonim who traced their lineage to Rav Shmiel Kraus, zt”l, ABD Vogosh, whose 123rd yohrtzeit falls next week.  

He learned in the yeshiva of the Edeliner Ruv, Rav Yisroel Avrohom Landau, zt”l, a son-in-law of Rav Shayele Kerestierer, whom he revered, and he would repeat his Torah for the rest of his life. Rav Kraus survived the war with great nissim, and following the war, he married the daughter of the Beserminer Ruv, who arranged a rabbinic position for him in Sopron, Hungary.

He remained in Sopron until the early 1950’s, when the Communists took over Hungary, and made his way to Sidney, Australia, where he served as a rov for many years, and was known by his previous title; Shoproner Ruv. He also served as a Rov in Melbourne, during the 1950’s, where he published the sefer Zichron Yehoshua in the year 1958.

He exhibited great mesirus nefesh for the chinuch of his children—sending them to faraway places from a young age, so they could receive a proper Torah chinuch.

In the 1970’s, the family moved to Boro Park, where Rav Kraus served as the rov of Anshei Marmorosh for a few decades. While in Boro Park, he opened the American office of Yad L’Achim, the legendary kiruv organization in Eretz Yisroel.

Those who worked with him during those years recall a deeply aristocratic figure with a golden heart, brimming with compassion and love. He loved to take care of those less fortunate, and his office welcomed those whom no one would give a second glance. He was always with a sefer.

About twenty years ago, he moved to Monsey.

He retired from the rabbonus, and made it his mission to be mechazek younger Rabbonim. Every Shabbos, he would make his way to another shul, and he would rotate this way. He was an engaging speaker, and always had the right words. He was a revered and welcome figure everywhere he went..

He was niftar today, 4 Shevat, and the levaya was held at the Edelin-Kerestirer Beis Medrash on Fanley Avenue. He was interred in the Viznitzer chelka in Monsey, following a lifetime of Torah, and dedication to Klal Yisroel.

Yehi Zichro Baruch 


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