Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Geffen
צבי הירש ב"ר יוסף
Chaplain, Beth Shalom Nursing Home, Richmond, VirginiaDate of Death:
Fri. October 7, 1977 -
Tishrei 25 5738
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Directions to Kever: Sir Moses Montefiore Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia is associated with Keneseth Beth Israel P: (804) 288-7953, F: (804) 673-9558, E: kbi@kbirichmond.com. Two other cemeteries adjoin this cemetery. 1. Workmen’s Circle Cemetery (also known as “Workman’s Circle”) was established on the northern property line in 1924. 2. Beth Torah cemetery was founded on the southern property line in 1950s and is associated with Richmond’s Kol Emes Congregation. Location: Beth Torah Cemetery Section, Address: 1600 Jennie Scher Road
Name Listed on Cemetery Database: Name listed on marker: Rabbi Hirsch Geffen
Biographical Notes:
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Rabbi Gefen received his smichah in Lithuania, and served as a Rov in Savannah, GA, for 25 years at Bnei Brith Jacob Synagogue. He “retired” to Richmond, VA, where he is buried, and dedicated his time as a chazzan (at Keneseth Beth Israel synagogue), a melamed to children whose parents could not afford to send them to school, and chaplain of the Beth Shalom Home.
Was he related to Rabbi Tobias Geffen of Atlanta?
he was also a high level Freemason, the only Jewish member of a certain masonic level that consists of less than 100 members on that particular level
some information about Rabbi Gefen, on a card from a
dinner that honored him in 1969:
here is the text:
“RABBI HIRSH GEFEN
Ordained in Lithuania, Rabbi Hirsh Gefen served the B’nai B’rith Jacob
Synagogue of Savannah, Georgia for 25 years. A 32nd degree Mason,
Rabbi Geffen is the only Jewish member of the Philalethes Society of
the Royal Society of Freemasonry. Likened to the immortals of the
French Academy, this international society includes only forty
fellows.
Rabbi Geffen served as cantor of Beth Israel synagogue in Richmond for
many years, and is currently chaplain at the Beth Shalom Home.”
it looks like he was the brother of Rabbi Tobias Geffen
Yitzchak,
are you from Va? I recently learned that R’ Avroham Jofen (Yaffen) the Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Yosef Novordok in Bialystock and later of Brooklyn had a brother who lived in Va named Leizer Jofen. I found a ship arrival manifest from 1930 for R’ Avroham, and listed his brother Leizer as his relative in the states. and although on the document Leizer’s place of residence was listed as North Carolina, his brothers grandson told me that he soon after moved to Va where he remained until he died.
Are you familiar with this person? Where in Va he’s buried?
I haven’t heard of him before – I will look into it – do you have a date of death? I live in Richmond, VA – there are kehilos in other VA cities as well (were more in the past, though)
My father was a Rav in Richmond in 1970 -1971. I was a little boy when I met Rabbi Geffen. He was a brother -in-law to Reb Leizer Telzer.
Reb Yankel:
Who was your father?
Hirsch Geffen was Tobias Geffen’s brother (as related to me by the latter’s grandson, Rabbi Dr. David Geffen, of Jerusalem). For a short while, he was chazan in his brother’s shul in Atlanta. He became rav of his own shul in Savannah after obtaining permanent resident status. He retired to Richmond, VA.
Photo of the Rabbi:
http://www.ourfamilystory.net/GeffenTuviaPhotoAlbum7.html
To Yankel: He was a brother -in-law to Reb Leizer Telzer.
Does anyone have more info on this???
He was the brother of Rav Tuvia Geffen in Atlanta