Rabbi Yaakov Geller
יעקב ב"ר צבי יהודה
Rav, Chevra Bikur Cholim, Galveston, TexasDate of Death:
Sun. February 9, 1930 -
Shevar 11 5690
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Directions to Kever: Adath Israel Cemetery in Houston, TX maintains computerized records and will assist upon request. Large ohel in the center of the cemetery.
Name Listed on Cemetery Database: Name listed on marker: Rabbi Jacob Geller
Biographical Notes:
Photo Caption: Rabbi Yaakov Geller, Credit: Needed
Photo Caption: Rebbe Yisroel Friedman, Chortkover Rebbe, d.1394, Credit: Chasdei Moshe-Kopyczynitz
Photo Caption: The rabbinic court (residence) of the Chortkover Rebbe. Chortkov, Ukraine, Credit: Needed
Shot Bio from Hapares Magazine:
Geller Yaakov Bio
Bio Information:
Rav Geller came to Texas from Galicia around 1892 at the behest of Rebbe Yisroel Friedman, Chortkover Rebbe. The Rav latter relocated to Houston where he led Congregation Adath Yisroel for close to 20 years.
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בעזהשי”ת
השאיר דור ישרים מבורך וישנו אליו תשובה במהרש”ם
הרב געללער היה תלמיד מובהק להגאון האדיר בעל הבית יצחק ר’ יצחק שמעלקיס, שמש ח”י שנים בעיר גאלוועסטאן-טעקסעס, ואח”כ כ’ שנה בעיר יוסטאן-טעקסעס בביהכ”נ עדת ישראל, ונפטר שם ב’ בשלח י”א שבט תר”ץ. בנעוריו הו”ל ביחד עם ריעו ר’ יחיאל מיכל לייטער את הספר ‘מזכרת אהבה’. (available on hebrebooks.org)
בנו ר’ מרדכי מילא את מקומו בקהל עדת ישראל, ובשנת תרצ”ט נתקבל לביהכ”נ בית יעקב ביוסטאן.
according to what i wrote before he came to the us in 1892
His son Reb Mordcha past away
כ”ג תמוז תשכ”ו
and is buried in
Beth Jacob Cemetery
Almeda-Genoa Rd. near I-45
Houston, TX
Ben Bee Zee:
Yasher koach.
My father in law is the great-nephew of Rabbi Mordecai (Max) Geller. Max’s son, Rabbi Mitchell Geller, is retired and lives in Baltimore now. He was by my chasuna 4 years ago. I am working on trying to upload pictures of both Rabbi Yacov and Max.
The Rav relocated to Houston after the Great Galveston Hurricane (1900), which to date is the deadliest natural disaster ever to strike the United States.
Rabbi Jacob Geller came to Galveston in 1891 and left for Houston in 1911 as he was offered a job there and Galveston was not doing well at that time. His home was on 28th and Church Street with a kosher butcher shop next door that his wife, Sarah (who I am named after) ran and they had a barn next to the shop with two cows for milk for the children. Their home had a floored- in attic which they used as their third floor. During the 1900 Hurricane they all stayed on the cramped 3rd floor . During the eye of the storm, Jacob Geller swam across the street to get a family they were friends with . So they had two large families and stray dogs ( that were swimming around in the mess and got pulled in) in the small third floor.
One of the cows, Bessie, managed to climb up in the hay , and survived the storm. So they had fresh milk for the children after the storm.
I was told this by my grandmother, Annie Geller Leff, and my dad, David Leff. Annie was the oldest girl in the family. Her brother , Max, became Rabbi of Beth Jacob synoguage in Houston and he and his wife, Sadie, lived about 2 blocks from my grandmother. They were some of my favorite great aunts and great uncles!! I also knew Michie Geller pretty well and stayed with his family at their Norwich, Conn. home one weekend when I was living in New York City after graduate school.
for a photo of Rabbi Geller and a picture of his Matzeiva
http://www.ivelt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=529491#p529491
I am a nephew of Rav Max Mordechai Geller my name is Feivel Mordechai named after my uncle and I live in Houston Texas. My dad is buried right in front of uncle Max Isser Leib Goldstein or Erwin Goldstein in Beth Jacob.