The Breslov community and the wider world of chesed and emergency medical response are mourning the petirah of Reb Dovid Yehuda “Duki” Greenwald Z”L, one of Breslov’s prominent askanim and a pioneer in the establishment of Chareidi emergency medical organizations in Eretz Yisroel.

Reb Duki was niftar at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Yerushalayim at the age of 57, following years of illness and suffering.

Born on 4 Elul 5729 to Reb Avigdor Mordechai Greenwald Z”L, a prominent Breslover chossid, and Mrs. Leah Rachel Greenwald, Reb Duki was raised and educated in Breslov institutions.

For decades, he was known throughout Yerushalayim and the Breslov community as an extraordinary baal chesed who made himself available to anyone in need.

When the first Chareidi emergency medical organizations were being established in Israel, Reb Duki was among the pioneers. He helped establish Hatzalah Israel in Yerushalayim and devoted himself around the clock to saving lives, helping lay the foundations for emergency medical response within the Chareidi community.

Friends described a man whose home and heart were always open, greeting everyone warmly and constantly pursuing opportunities for tzedakah and chesed.

He was also deeply involved in Agudas Yisrael and in numerous communal initiatives in Yerushalayim.

Several years ago, Reb Duki suffered a devastating personal tragedy when his wife, Mrs. Chana Rachel Greenwald A”H, was niftar at just 47 following a difficult illness.

She was the daughter of Breslover mashpia HaGaon HaRav Chaim Menachem Kramer. She left behind seven children, only two of whom had married at the time of her petirah.

Despite his own heartbreak, Reb Duki devoted himself to raising his children with extraordinary dedication.

In Elul 5785, Reb Duki and his son celebrated the completion and dedication of a beautiful Sefer Torah for the central Breslov Beis Medrash in Ramat Beit Shemesh Daled, written and donated l’ilui nishmas his wife.

He would also travel to Uman each year with great mesirus nefesh. He maintained his own Krias HaTorah minyan there, attended by numerous prominent individuals, followed by a large Kiddush.

In recent years, after moving from Ramat Shlomo to Givat Moshe, he even established a shul inside his own home so that he would never have to miss tefillah b’tzibbur.

Tragically, Reb Duki was niftar just one month before the wedding of his beloved son.

Following his petirah, an extraordinary video recorded by Reb Duki himself began circulating widely.

Displaying the humor and positive spirit for which he was known, Reb Duki spoke in the video about his own eventual levaya, requesting that people come wearing Shabbos clothing, remain b’simcha, and that cans of drinks be available for those attending.

On Motzei the first day of Sukkos, his remarkable request was fulfilled.

Mourners arrived at the levaya dressed in Shabbos clothing, while Reb Duki’s friends arranged drinks and cans for the large crowd, exactly as he had requested.

Due to the kedushas hamoed, regular hespedim were not delivered. His father-in-law, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Menachem Kramer, delivered words of farewell.

One of the most heartbreaking moments came from Reb Duki’s son Avigdor, a chosson whose wedding is scheduled to take place in approximately one month.

As he asked his father for mechilah, Avigdor cried out:

“When I spoke to you on Erev Yom Kippur, you promised me you would be at the wedding. But now I know that it is good for you, and you will accompany me from Above.”

MK Meir Porush, who worked alongside Reb Duki for many years, described him as a pioneer of emergency medicine in the Chareidi community who devoted decades to saving lives and helping people at all hours of the day and night.

“His entire life was a tapestry of blessed activity on behalf of the public,” Porush said, describing Reb Duki as a man driven by genuine concern, mesirus nefesh, Ahavas Yisrael and a pure heart.

Reb Duki was brought to kevurah at Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim.

His passing leaves a tremendous void among his family, the Breslov community, the emergency medical organizations he helped build, and the countless people who benefited from his decades of chesed.

Yehi zichro baruch.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)