It is with sincere sorrow that I inform you of the passing of Rabbi Yosef Rosenzweig, z’l, who was niftar yesterday afternoon, June 21, 2023 – the 2nd of Tammuz 5783. The levaya is taking place at this very moment, in Oak Park, Michigan. Reb Yosil, as he was fondly known, touched the lives of countless individuals through his teachings, music, and rabbinical care. Even his birth was a symbol of hope when he was born to Holocaust survivors Helen (Chaichu) and Jacob Rosenzweig on April 23, 1947, in a Displaced Persons camp near Innsbruck, Austria.

Many knew Reb Yosil as a dedicated teacher, imparting his wisdom through formal programs, serving communities from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Windsor, Ontario; Newport News, VA to Schenectady, NY. But you might recognize his name for his many well-known compositions, as he was also a gifted composer of Jewish music.

Songs made popular by The Diaspora Yeshiva Band, such as “Asay L’ma’an,” “Lo Es Avoseinu Bilvad,” “Tzaddik Katamar Yifrach” and many others, profoundly influenced Jewish music since the 70s. His Chassidic Song festival classics “Hu Yiftach” (1977) and “Pitchu Li” (1980) were prize winners and helped his collaborator and brother-in-law, Avraham Rosenblum, attract worldwide acclaim.

We had the privilege of having him for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals as well as the occasional Malave Malka at my in-laws a few blocks away. When he entered, the house felt as if it had expanded. With his jovial, booming voice and his ever-present signature smile, Reb Yosil had a way of transforming every occasion into a significant and uplifting affair.

He would regale us with tales from his youth and the life-lessons he learned through each exciting experience. He always had an original dvar Torah up his sleeve, followed by a joke or by a poignant witticism. And of course, the music. The music that drove it all home. Life inspired him to sing, and through song he taught others to do the same.

I encourage all of you to play a song or two of his as his holy neshoma is escorted to the Shaarei Shomayim – the “Shaarei Tzedek” of which he prayed so passionately be allowed open for his many songs of praise and gratitude.

Open, open up the Gates of Righteousness, Let me in to worship Hashem!
Open Up the Gates of Righteousness, Let me in to begin again!

His music moved us, his stories inspired us, and his love for life and for those who lived it obligated all who knew him to live a life worth living – to make a difference in the world with the gifts that we were given.

ר’ שמואל יוסף בן יעקב

Tehei nishmaso tzrura b’tzror Hachaim