YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Chaim Dov Keller ZATZAL, the Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe Chicago. He was 90 years old.
The Rosh Yeshiva had been on a ventilator after contacting COVID-19 in March, and unfortunately never recovered.
As one of the senior roshei yeshiva in the United States, Rav Keller served as a member of the Nesius of Agudas Yisroel of America.
Rav Keller was born in New York City and attended the Telshe Yeshiva after it was established in Cleveland, Ohio in 1940 by HaRav Chaim Mordechai Katz and HaRav Eliyahu Meir Bloch. Rav Keller became a student and disciple of Rav Bloch in particular.
The Rosh Yeshiva joined the Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago in 1960 – one year after it was started by his brother-in-law, Hagaon HaRav Avrohom Chaim Levin ZATZAL, and HaRav Chaim Schemelczer. Together they built one of the most respected Yeshivos in North America.
Additional details to follow.
Boruch Dayan HaEmmes…
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7 Responses
A great man.
I particularly remember one famous article he wrote in the old Jewish Observer clarifying proper דעת תורה vis-a-vis a certain group with confused values and priorities.
יהי זכרו ברוך.
Boruch Daya HaEmes…. A terrible loss to the Torah world!
What was his kesher to מרן הגרמ”ד הלוי? He flew in a for a grandchild’s chasuna a year or two ago, and i always assumed that he was a talmid
also what his kesher with HaGaon r’ ;leib lopian of gateshead? where they mechutanim?
This should be the lead article, at the top of the page- the passing of a Gadol B’Yisrael.
Moderators Note: It was. For 8 hours.
” Together they built one of the most respected Yeshivos in North America.”
Wow, what an understatement. Telz Yeshiva was elite, not just respected. Due to its being an out-of-town yeshiva, it not only produced great lamdanim, it produced great lamdanim with derech eretz for others.
Hespedim now in BMG.