Memorial yahrtzeit candle
Memorial yahrtzeit candleiStock

Widely known and respected spiritual leader of Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld, passed away this morning. Rabbi Schonfeld was 97 years of age at the time of his passing - he was born in Poland on December 13, 1923.

The funeral procession has been scheduled for 1 pm EST. Rabbi Schonfeld's body will be interred at the Har Hamenuchot cemetery in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Among his other roles, Rabbi Schonfeld was a member of the Council of Young Israel Rabbis, Queens Rabbinical Association, Synagogue Council America (co-chairman inter-religious affairs committee), president of Poalei Agudath Israel, and secretary of the American section of the World Jewish Congress.

Rabbi Schonfeld, born to Samuel and Manja (Oskenhendler) Schonfeld, arrived in the US in 1950 and was ordained as Rabbi of Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills in Flushing, NY the following year. He was succeeded in his role by his son, Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, in 2011.