YESHIVAT DARCHAI DAVID-RABBI SHMUEL PINCHASI IN JERUSALEM

AFTER THE PRAYERS WERE COMPLETED THERE WAS LEARNING AND A SEUDAH LELUI NESHMAT AHARON HAIM BEN ESTHER DONATED BY SABAH, STANLEY AND JACK COHEN. RABBI PINCHASI DEDICATED THE DAYS LEARNING IN RONNIE'S MEMORY...Rabbi Pinchasi was very touched by Ronnie. When Ronnie and I were visiting the Rabbi about a year and a half ago we met with the Rabbi in his office. He was trying to convince Ronnie to take the surgery and the Rabbi became very emotional and cried and blessed Ronnie to have a speedy recovery.

PHOTOS FROM THE LEVAYA IN JERUSALEM

YEHUDA HABSHUSH AND RABBI KADOURI'S GRANDSON ISRAEL KADURI SPEAKING TOGETHER AT THE LEVAYA     

                 JUDAH EASTMAN (BRESLOVER FROM WAY BACK)

PHOTOS TAKEN BY DAVID OUR BROTHER WHO ACCOMPANIED RONNIE TO JERUSALEM

PICTURES FROM THE LEVAYA JERUSALEM

RABBI SHMUEL PINCHASSI SPEAKING WITH BENNY DAOUKI AT THE LEVAYA....(left photo)

BOBBY ROSENBERG AT THE LEVAYA

PHOTOS TAKEN BY DAVID OUR BROTHER WHO ACCOMPANIED RONNIE TO JERUSALEM

MINYAN AT RONNIE'S KEVER IN JERUSALEM ON THE SHLOSHIM

 Bobby Rosenberg spoke at the Shloshim - the following is a summary:

When we were with Rabbi Rosenfeld z"l  praying by  the kever of Rabbi Avrahom Cochev Lev z"l, the Tzaddik Emes of previous generation, there would not be many people  - and right near by there were graves of other rabbis that would have hundreds of people..  Rabbi Rosenfeld  z'l said on this world we don't always see how things really are - and in the next world we see those who seemed smaller are really very very great. So too - we don't really see the huge numbers by Ronnie's memorial. We dont even know who Ronnie was - we cant even describe it - we know nothing and cant even begin to understand his greatness. Ronnie z"ls level of emuna in Hashem, in Rabbeinu z"l in our Rebbe Rabbi Rosenfeld z"l was indescribable. Once when I was having hard times and had only a $100 Ronnie told me to give it all to Tzedaka. I did. Shortly after I was blessed with Parnasa that lasted me a long time. One thing is for sure - Ronnie z'l is very close to Rabbi Rosenfeld z"l  In the next world probabaly recording his shourim in the same room. We should be zoche to see the coming of Moshiach soon and binyan Beit Hamikdash.

DAVID - RONNIE'S OLDER BROTHER

DAVID - RONNIE'S BROTHER SPEAKING AT THE 30 DAY

DAVID SAID FAMILIES SHOULD EXPRESS LOVE TO THEIR CHILDREN, AND EMBRACE THEM AND LOVE THEM!

RABBI DAVID NAHEM-SHAARE EZRA, LONG BRANCH NJ

Rabbi David Nahem told a story of a man who had a large warehouse and was robbed and then a second time till finally he was down to a knapsack full of goods. He was peddling the goods and then a robber held him up and took the knapsack with all he had left. He couldn't believe his luck! The robber rode away on his horse and the horse bucked and he fell off and died. The merchant saw this and ran to the body. The horse's saddle broke open and in it were diamonds the value of all of the goods that were stolen. Never give up hope as you never know where your salvation will appear. That was Ronnie!

RABBI MAX MASLATON SAID "RONNIE WAS ALEF ALEF"

Rabbi Max Maslaton Rosh Kollel of Keter Sion in Brooklyn, and Rosh Kollel of Jerusalem Kollel is eulogizing Ronnie A"H. To the right sitting is Sabahs Father Mr. Faur and to left is my father in law Mr. Morris Kassin.

The Rabbi said there are two types of students, ALEF PLUS & ALEF ALEF. Ronnie he said was ALEF ALEF! ALEF for emunah and ALEF for emet. The Rabbi praised his emunah and stated there is not many who can get close to his level of emunah that he reached by working on it as he did. Ronnie was always emet and stood for emet.

SHLOSHIM AT RONNIE'S HOUSE IN BROOKLYN

WOW! Its weird to say this and I don't know how to say it any other way but the event was beautiful. Just like Ronnie was a very warm person so was this event. I will summarize the day and write in more detail in future posts. David our brother introduced Rabbi Max Maslaton Mora Datra of Keter Sion (where Ronnie learnt and prayed for the last 20 years) who spoke of Ronnie's outstanding character and service to Hashem. He spoke about the miracle car accident when his car rolled over 3 times. Rabbi David Nahem Mora Datra of Sharei Ezra who also expounded on Ronnie's virtues. Finally Rabbi David Ozeri Mora Datra of Ave J Torah Center spoke about when he first met Ronnie in his sick bed 36 years ago at Maimondies hospital and that his emunah was incomparable in our times. The Rabbis spoke about his EMET. Emet in everything he did. David wrapped up the eulogies with his thoughts and feelings about the loss of our dear brother. ....TO BE CONTINUED

RABBI ISRAEL KATZ-RONNIES VERY CLOSE FRIEND WRITES

The verse in Jerimiah 17:7 says as follows: "Blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem (G-d), then Hashem willl be his security." Ronnie Cohen A"H lived by these words. Over thirty years ago when Ronnie was dying of cancer and the doctors gave up hope of his recovery Ronnie called out to Hashem for help and Hashem did not let him down. Ronnie made a miraculous recovery against all the odds. Faith and trust in Hashem then became his mantra from then on until his last moments on this earth. I first met Ronnie in Israel 28 years ago. The very first thing I noticed about him was that he would always talk about faith in Hashem. That is why, in those days he prayed at the Kotel daily. He told me he loved Hashem and couldn't go without praying at the Kotel everyday. It made him feel so good. He was a model of how one was to live with faith in Hashem in this difficult world. In addition, he often told me that he loved his four brothers, and sister very much and especially his wife Saba. He also loved, admired, and respected his parents A"H. He would call them almost everyday. He often told me that receiving love from his family was so important to him. He would do anything for a friend or a family member. Above all else he loved Hashem. Although Ronnie has left us and is in a far better place right now his legacy of simple trust and faith in Hashem remains with all who he touched or knew. Whenever he had financial. health, family, or friendship problems he would call out for Hashem's help. He told me that he would often go to the beach in the middle of the night to cry to Hashem. He said Hashem always made the pain feel better. The contributions of Ronnie to this dark planet before his passing was that he made this earth a little bit brighter, a little bit better, and a little bit more tolerable with his simple faith in Hashem which he taught to all who he met. This legacy of faith will remain in our hearts and minds forever. Ronnie will be sorely missed! may Ronnnie find eternal rest under the wings of the Divine Presence! Amen!

RONNIE WRITES ABOUT HIS PIOUS LIFE IN JERUSALEM circa 1984

Dear Avraham David Ben Shalom, (BOBBIE ROSENBERG)
"May Hashem bless you to be inscribed and sealed in the book of life." How are you ? Thanks for the card. It was a great uplift to hear from you once again. Its so very hard to live here in the holy land alone. Three things a person must suffer for. Eretz Yisrael, Torah, and Olam Haba. The other day in my H.B.D. I cried to Hashem for the loneliness. For the missing of my family, my parents,my brothers and sister and my daughter. Oye. They should live and be well. Yes it is all very worth it still to be here and serve Hashem in the holiness. But so many thoughts enter my mind of the life I once had, of my ex wife, my ex home, my ex business, my past acquaintances in America, Bklyn,NY,the street, that place etc. And yet I am thankful for all I have here Baruch Hashem. "Elul" rolled in with very much yearning to serve and get much closer to Hashem, the desire to learn more, pray more.
Every morning I arrive at 3:30 AM and purify my soul in the ritual baths of the mikvah, then to attend the Bet Keneset for the deep prayers of repentance Selichot, returning home for breakfast. At 8:00 once again I've begun Ulpan (Bet) I've taken this Bet a year ago. But never retained all I learnt.......To be continued
   

DAVID SCHWEKE "RONNIE GOT ME INTO RABBI NACHMAN"

WOW! What a call I got last week. David called me and said we have to talk about Ronnie. You may not know who I am but I must tell you what Ronnie meant to me and how he changed my life. He said Ronnie helped ME get a job when I was a teenager and that put my life in order and gave me structure. About 10 years later he ran into Ronnie again and Ronnie gave him a job at Ronnie's store on Worth St. in NYC. Much later after that Ronnie ran into David somewhere and this is where he changed his life. He gave him a DVD of Rav Nosson Maimon the son in law of Rabbi Rosenfeld A'H. David explained that he never touched the video for 10 years. Suddenly he decided "let me see what Ronnie Cohen gave me in this video". That video David exclaimed changed his life forever. He started learning Likutei Maharon and before you know it he was actually giving classes himself. David said he's gotten up to 50 people at a time learning Torah. Since then David opened a website www.excitingjudaism.com and started created events for Jews to come together to learn and socialize. Ronnie once told David why don't you tape your classes? David is a humble person and answered I'm not a Rabbi. I believe Ronnie convinced him though to tape his classes.

HAL HUSNEY FROM KETER SION COMMENTED

This is the first thing I think of when I think of Ronnie. On all of our walks home from Keter, he would always comment how he is praying for someone, whether it was my family or someone else. Seeing his picture is a comfort as well.... Ronnie, keep praying for us ! 

DAD IN UNITED circa 2007

Ronnie A"H used to like to send pictures of the family to his siblings so this is one.

CANTOR EMANUEL SHALOM AND CANTOR ISRAEL LEVY

Cantor Israel Halevy playing the Kanoon to accompany Cantor Emanuel Shalom performing live for Ronnie A"H

Hazzan Emanuel Shalom From the Egyptian Shul Singing to Ronnie

Chief Cantor of the Egyptian Shul Ahava Vehachva Emanuel Shalom visits Ronnie and Sings a prayer and pizmonim to Ronnie  A"H and his wife Sabah.

SHOLSHIM IN JERUSALEM

On Thursday May 3rd we are trying to organize a minyan to go to Ronnie's kever after scharit in the morning. Maybe we will organize a seudah in his memory after. Please contact me for information at jac1823@hotmail.com

YECHIEL NAHARI WORLD REKNOWN CANTOR VISITING RONNIE

Here's a one minute video of Ronnie's good friend Yachiel Nahari singing to Ronnie.

RONNIE'S SHLOSHIM IN BROOKLYN MAY 1st

Sabah is planning to have a Tehilim reading and eulogies at her house on Tuesday May 1st. At 4:00 Tehilim will start, 6:15 speeches, and 7:00 Mincha, Arbit. Please attend and show Kavod for the Niftar.

YOU JUST THREW AWAY A MILLION DOLLARS

Many people who have been in contact or inspired by Ronnie have been calling me on a daily basis. Today Steve Zagha called and told me something beautiful. Once he was sitting in shul with Ronnie and Ronnie noticed he was talking during kaddish. Ronnie told him " do you know you just threw away a million dollars"? "Everytime you talk during Kaddish realize in the shamayim its looked at as if you are throwing away your mitzvot. Steve went on to say that he never forgot that piece of advice and till today he would never speak during kaddish.

RONNIE'S BIKUR CHOLIM

This Sunday I was at Alan Jemal"s house and when I was about to leave his wife Lisa said " you don't how much your brother helped my Mother"." He used to visit her often while she was going for chemotherapy treatments". "He would talk to my Mom and inspire her and make her strong to fight her disease". I know that Ronnie would go out of his way to talk to people who had cancer and give them strength because I've heard from others and sometimes Ronnie himself would tell me sometimes how he reached out to someone that was sick. He did a lot of Bikur Cholim himself by just simply calling people who he heard were sick and asked if he could visit them. He would go to them and tell them his experience and how he was able to  fight the cancer and get better. This gave many people a big chizuk!

A POEM BY DAVID

from brother David:

blog: jewswithviews.com

________

family and people come together in sad times

family and people come together in happy times

its the middle times

the times to maintain your relationship,that is hardly nourished.

Its those middle times

between a new life and the end of life,

those middle times that we need to be supporters of life for each other.

Its the middle times we remember

its those times we later laugh about

and sometimes cry about

Its the day to day love that is our sustanance 

its those days we reminsce.

Its those fleeting days we can never  bring back

except with the memories and a smile and a tear.

_________________________

Thanks to Rabbi David Nahem for his kind assisance in writings for the stone

Thanks to Rabbi Ozeri for his kind assistance in all details for me to accompany Ronnie to israel

    from the plane reservations, the food, the plot on Har Hamenuchot the stone and lending me his israeli phone.

Thanks to Ronnie for his love, ALL THE TIME

NO TALKING IN SHUL!

About two years ago when Ronnie was sitting in the Shul he seemed very upset with the decorum. He was very against talking in Shul in Kaddish or Chazara. He used to tell people not to talk but he found that it was very difficult to influence people like that. He actually gave this problem some thought and came up with a solution. Next week he came back with small notes about not talking in Shul. He gave them out whenever he saw someone talking in Shul. In this way he felt he was doing his effort in keeping the Shul Holy.

BLOG VIEWED IN 5 COUNTRIES

We now have viewers from 5 countries. United States, Israel, Russia, United Kingdom and Canada.

HIS AVODAT HASHEM WAS FROM ANOTHER GENERATION

I know you have already read about Ronnie's sincere service to Hashem. How he read Tikun Hakelali every morning. How he would pray netz hachama every day and go to the mikvah. I will tell something you didn't know about Ronnie and in fact only the family who saw him on the Holiday would know. Ronnie did a TAANIT DIBUR (refraining from talking) every Rosh Hashanah. Daunting task to say the least. You try going to your in laws or any family or friends for the Rosh Hashanah meals and stop talking for a day.

CANTORS EMANUEL SHALOM FROM AHAVA "THE EGYPTIAN SHUL" AND ISRAEL HALEVY FROM AHI EZER VISIT RONNIE

Two weeks before Ronnie's passing I was with Benny Daouki my good friend from Israel visiting Ronnie on Motzai Shabbat. Benny and I spoke and we thought it would be wonderful if his son in law Cantor Emanuel would come to Ronnie's house and sing for a bit. So Benny jumped at the idea and called Emanuel. I heard him say " Emanuel do you want to do a mitzvah, come here now". Within 15 minutes Emanuel came over and starting singing beautiful pizmonim and blessings that went right into the heart. It was simply magnificent. After that night Emanuel called me and said I want to come back next week and bring my friend and we will perform together for Ronnie and make him happy. So next week he came back with Israel Halevy Cantor of Ahi Ezer. Israel brought his Kanoon (Arabian Zither) and they played and sang as a duet. The music they made was marvelous and they really made Ronnie soar to unbelievable heights. What a mitzvah they made. When they finished Emanuel asked me if they could come back next week and do it again. Unfortunately Ronnie was not well enough to do it again.  Hashem should bless them to have all their hearts desire.

JACOB LEHRFELD -MAKES A DEDICATION FOR RONNIE

Jacob below never knew Ronnie - just read about him from your blog - and called me to donate.

Jacob wrote "Bobby Please tell me what is left on Likutei Moharan and how to go ahead and send the money. (Jacob donated $500.00 and gave us the Chizuk to make an even larger dedication.
Bobbie spoke to Rav Chaim Kramer - and asked for a larger dedication  in FRONT OF THE whole SEFER in Ronnie's memory. It cost $5,000 - and we will I"YH keep at it until we raise the entire amount.

Jacob's blessing to Ronnie: May the Zechus of Rabeinu uplift Ronnie’s Neshama to the Highest of Heights.

May we all see the Geula Shleima BeKarov. Amen!!!

Thank You for the opportunity".

OVER 500 HITS ON THIS BLOG

i'm happy to see that there are many people enjoying the blog. I noticed there are many hits from Russia for the last few days. Did Ronnie know anyone in Russia or are there a group of people in Russia visiting that knew him? Let me know, send me a comment from Russia please.

ENGLISH LIKUTEI MOHARAN-BOBBY ROSENBERG

Both Judah Eastman and myself will IYH bn donate $100 each for this in Ronnie zal's memory. Do you know anyone who can  donate the remaining $300 - so we can get the last page of English Likutei Moharan in Ronnie zals name? 

Kol Tuv,

Bobby Rosenberg from Har Nof, Israel one of Ronnie's closest friends sent this. Bobby as I recall used to live in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn when Ronnie met him. Maybe they met at one of Rav Nosson Maimon's shiur, i'm not sure. This is great opportunity to raise the Neshama of Ronnie!

CANTOR YAHIEL NAHARI VISITS RONNIE THIS PAST PURIM

About 4 weeks before Ronnie passed away, actually it was Purim day! I ran in to the Cantor Yahiel Nahari at David's Restaurant. He asked about Ronnie and I suggested he join me right then and there to go and see Ronnie in his home. When we got there Ronnie was very tired and sick but so happy to see his old friend Yahiel. They go back together many years and it hurt Yahiel to see Ronnie this way. The greatest gift he could give Ronnie was his prayers. So he started to sing for Ronnie. Song after song the moment was superb! Yahiel sang with all his heart. He told us a story of a sick person in Israel who he used to sing to and he felt it actually helped cure this man. I asked what was the song he sang and he replied Ya Yachid Rom. So he sang it for Ronnie.  I have a 1 min video of it but I can't seem to figure out how to load a video here yet. Soon!

SARAH FRIEDMAN CONTINUES TO REMEMBER RONNIE

Finally one day he gave me one of his mom's, Esther's cook books so I would be sure to make at least a few Syrian dishes a week. Now you have to know Ronnie was an amazing gourmet cook himself.  As a matter of fact he was a gourmet in everything he did.  He loved and appreciated good food and he had a flare for art and design.  So not only did the food that he made taste good, it had to have the most beautiful presentation.  He loved to cook so much and feed people that he eventually moved out of the Yeshiva dormitory to a small apartment where he could entertain his friends and those who had no place to go for Shabbat meals.  Shabbat was always special for him and it had to include ALL the Syrian specialties.   Friday afternoon  you could always smell the wonderful aromas coming from his kitchen.  I was once invited for a Shabbat Friday night dinner and he made this incredible, and I mean incredible, delicious Chicken dish.  I asked him what is was and he told me it was something he put together.  Well it was sooooo good, I kept raving about it the entire meal and said that I really needed the recipe, and when he gave it to me, I said I am giving it the name,' Ronnie's Fabulous Chicken'.  I make it at least once a month, everybody loves it.  People are always complimenting me and when they do I always tell them that's

Ronnie's Fabulous Chicken, and my good friend Ronnie invented it.  So here it is:

RONNIE'S FABULOUS CHICKEN

2 0R 3 Cut up chicken  (I usually separate the leg and the thigh) 1500 grams, can of concentrated tomato sauce  (You can also use a ready Made Marina Sauce but Ronnie used the concentrated tomato sauce) White wine (I fill the empty tomato can with wine) a lot of dried dill  and a lot of powdered garlic ( I use McCormick Perfect Pinch, Garlic & Herb, salt free )

Mix sauce, wine and spices. dip raw chicken in sauce and put in a large 9 x 13 pan bake in oven 350% until browned and well done.  There will be extra sauce left and I baste the chicken with it while cooking. Turn several times in the cooking process.  This dish is always good, even if you overcook it as the wine sauce keeps it moist and it keeps well on the hot plate. Now you can make this wonderful dish of Ronnie's and it will be like he is feeding you.

KETER SION

Everyone knows Ronnie was a regular member of Keter Sion on East 8th Street in Brooklyn. He used to pray and learn gemarah every morning with Rabbi Max Maslaton and about 15 other men.  Ronnie also prayed there on Shabat and many Yamim Tovim. On behalf of the family I would like to thank all the men who prayed for Ronnie and went to visit him and read Tehilim for him, and just be there for him. It meant a lot to Ronnie that you all came. Everyday when Stanley and I would go there after Arbit and talk to him he would always try to tell us each and every person who came to him and how they were all helping him.
 Chazak Obaruch. Besorot Tovot!!

"OHEV SHALOM VRODEF SHALOM" Joey Nasar

He had a calming effect on everything all around him which is a priceless gift. A beautiful human being worthy of being likened to "Tselem Elokim".

"YOU ENCOURAGED ME" Rabbi David Cohen

In the last few days of Ronnies life many people called and visited him. One of the more memorable calls, at least for me was the call he got from Rabbi David Cohen Mora Datra of Beth Shaul Umiriam. The Rabbi began to remind Ronnie of a time way back when they both lived in West Deal. The Rabbi said he was just starting to speak and develop his own leadership skills and Ronnie would constantly approach him and he would say " Rabbi, go up and speak and teach us,  we love your words of Torah and Mussar". The Rabbi made mention of how much of a chizuk he got from Ronnies prodding him to speak more, and he never forgot it! He told him "you gave me so much encouragement in those early years".

Ronnie and Saul Safdieh with Breslov Saddikim

On the right is Reb Chaim Rosen, Saul Safdieh, Ronnie Cohen A"H, and to left is Reb Levi Yitchak

Ronnie and Sabah in their apartment in Israel

Ronnie and Sabah

Dad and Ronnie A"H

Photo taken in United's office on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY

RONNIE'S Hachnasot Orchim

Saleh Faur Sabah's brother writes: When my family and I came to the US 20 years ago we stayed at his home for a month and he fed us and would not accept anything in return. He always gave us a smile each and every day. This man loved to have guests.

SABAH Ronnie's wife writes:

"That was my Ronnie" thats what Mom used to say. He had a heart of gold, very concerned of keeping a kosher home. He did more than he talked. Its because of a simple call he made to Argentina that he changed our life forever. When my parents came from Syria and my Mother A"H saw my address 2115, she said one thing. "Thats my brothers address in Argentina", and that's what made him call Argentina. From this phone call my mother saw her brother after 63 years of being separated. We are still in touch with them till today which began from that simple phone call. Ronnie, after his day at work would come home at night and work on duplicating Torah tapes and Cd's. He would give them away at no charge to everyone he saw. Now he's in Israel his beloved land. Everyone has a choice to go anywhere in the world but his only choice was to go to Israel. With all the suffering he went through he's now resting on the door of Gan Eden.

RONNIE COHEN - 9th of Chesvan 5712- 11th of Nissan 5772, November 8, 1951- April 3, 2012

Ronnie Cohen A''H was a very special person to many people here in the United States and to many people who  live in Israel. He has influenced so many people to become more religious and to study the recordings of Rabbi Tzvi Rosenfeld A"H.  Any of you who have a story that you would like to post here to pay tribute to Ronnie please contact me @ jac1823@hotmail.com

RONNIE COHEN-AHARON CHAIM BEN ESTHER

After a long hard battle with cancer Ronnie Cohen left this world on Tuesday morning the 11th of Nissan, 5772,  April 3rd, 2012 at 2:15 AM.