Rabbi Simcha Cohen, author of the popular work on shalom bayit (marital harmony) Habayit Hayehudi, translated into English as "What Did You Say?" has passed away at the age of 80.
Rabbi Cohen was a veteran educator who devoted years of his life to bringing Jews closer to religious observance with an exceptionally gentle and approachable manner. He was one of the pioneering forces in the teshuvah movement, active from his younger years in various kiruv organizations such as Peilim.
In the Eighties, he established the Netivot Olam yeshivah in Bnei Brak, together with Rabbis Yosef Bruk and Nachum Diamant. This was one of the first yeshivahs catering to the newly observant, and Rabbi Cohen served as one of its deans to his last day.
Rabbi Cohen also gave classes on bringing up children in today's times and on preparation for marriage. He was frequently interviewed on the radio and in newspapers, where his columns enlightened many thousands.
The levayah (funeral) will depart at half-past-eleven this morning from the Netivot Olam yeshivah on Hashomer Street in Bnei Brak and he will be buried in the Ponovezh cemetery in that city.
May his memory be for a blessing.