Rabbi Yehoshua Moshe Mereminsky
יהושע משה ב"ר
Chief Rabbi, Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New YorkDate of Death:
Wed. August 16, 1961 -
Elul 2 5721
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Directions to Kever: Mount Judah Cemetery in Ridgewood, Queens maintains computerized records and will provided a detailed location map upon request. Location: Society: TAL TOR TIPH JER, Section: 1, Block: V, Gate: 1, corner of Lebanon Road and Sinai Avenue
Name Listed on Cemetery Database: MEREMINSKY, JOSHUA
Biographical Notes:
Photo Caption: Rav Yehshua Moshe Mereminsky, Credit: Josh MereminskyÂ
Bio Information:
Rav Mereminsky’s wife, was the granddaughter of the Chofetz Chaim. In his later years Rav Mereminsky retired and moved to Los Angeles.
Credit: Shmuel Amsel, Brooklyn, NY
Credit: Shmuel Amsel, Brooklyn, NY
Credit: Shmuel Amsel, Brooklyn, NY
Credit: Rebbetzin Miriam Frieda Kagan (d. 1946), wife of the Chofetz Chaim
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Rabbi Mereminsky OB”M was my mother’s father. He was born in Europe and came to the US in the 1920’s. He worked as Rabbi in Akron, Ohio; and later in Portland, Maine and Mt. Vernon, NY. He was a very creative man. Late in life he developed a collagen bread and sold it. He loved to tinker in his workshop. He worked hard on Otzar Haposkim, a compendium of Rabbinic Responsa. He also worked to promote peace, using a radio program and a book, “Enlisting the Mothers.”
He was married to Rachel Kagan, the granddaughter of the Chofetz Chaim. The two had 4 children. They are all deceased now. She died in 1944. He married Shoshana and they made a home together, remaining in Mt. Vernon until 1960. He then moved to LA, California; to be near his youngest child, Rabbi Meyer Mereminsky. There are 4 grandchildren of his first marriage and 6 great-grandchildren.
I read in Hamoer (Vol 13 no 2) that the reason he moved to LA was because of the increasing assimilation in the Mt. Vernon comunity, which bothered hima nd made him give up his position as the Rabbi there.
His wif Rachel the daughter of Rabbi Aharon Hakohen Kagan passed away on 4 Tamuz 1944-5704.
Where was his son Rabbi Mayer Mereminsky serving, and is he still alive?
Meyer Mereminsky was my father and he passed away in 1973. He was Rabbi of Adat Shalom in West Los Angeles from 1948 until his death.
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2018/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus%201945/Mount%20Vernon%20NY%20Daily%20Argus%201945%20-%200479.pdf
I found my father-in-law’s marriage license with the name Rabbi O. Mereminsky as officiator. The wedding took place in Portland, Maine (on Peaks Island) on June 16, 1927. Am wondering if this could be the relative of Meira Sochen Itzkowitz.
I just now read the last message. The Rabbi you mention was my grandfather. Some years ago I visited friends in Portland and went out to Peaks Island. The family lived in Portland for about 3 years. My late mother was graduated from Portland high school.
In response to an earlier post, I don’t think my grandfather left Mount Vernon for reasons related to his congregation. He had been retired for years by the time he moved to Los Angeles.
My father Rabbi Solomon Kagan was the grandson of the Chofetz Chaim. ( His sister was rachel, who was married to rabbi Mereminsky.) I would like to contact Meirah Sochen Itzkowitz.
That would make you my first cousin, once removed. Meira is my cousin and Rachel was our grandmother.
My grandfather was Jacob Mereminsky. He was a cantor in Hungary and came to the USA in 1921. He settled in Boston, MA with his family. They changed the name to Merriman.
Meira, Joshua, and Annette, I would like to contact any of you and/or others who are working on family trees. I just figured out that Rabbi Yehoshua Mereminsky was my grandfather’s brother. I have a family history written by my aunt that documents this and lots of other interesting details. Meira and Joshua, I think you are both my 2nd cousins. Have any of you done DNA testing? That is another way we can confirm our relationships.
That’s very cool, Cami. My father was very close to Rabbi Mereminsky, who was his step grandfather and a huge influence on him. They were so close that my father named my brother after him, Yehoshua Moshe Gross. Even though we are not blood relatives, I am certain my father would really like to see whatever history you have. Dovidg@gmail.com
R’ Mereminsky’s second wife Shoshosha Gross Mereminsky was my great grandmother. Dovid Gross – I’m not sure what cousin you are, but we are related. My grandmother Leanora Gross Greene was the oldest daughter of Shoshana and Joseph. Would love to know more.
Rav Mendel Zaks lived in Mount Vernon. At some point, Mt Vernon had a Yeshiva as well.
Hi, Rabbi Stern,
I am just now getting acquainted with some of these sites. I am. the granddaughter of Rabbi Joshua Mereminsky. I met two sons of Rav Mendel Zaks, Hirsh and another whose name I don’t remember, in the late 50’s. They were living in a high rise in Manhattan. I did not know that Rav Mendel lived in Mt. Vernon. My grandfather lived there until 1960. Can you tell me more about him? Thanks! Meira
Annette, I would love to be in touch with you! I think I sent you a note on some other site, but have not heard back. This is the first time I’ve seen your note. I am occasionally in touch with Ethel and we saw each other in 2007.
Hope you and yours are well,
Meira
Meira , how can I get in touch with you?
Hi! I am Jason Merriman.
My Grandfather, Elliot Merriman, was originally ‘Elliot Mereminsky’. He came over from europe in 1938 with his brother, Emanuel Mereminksy. Their father was Josef Beer Mereminksy. Their grandfather was
Lyota Eliyahu Mereminsky
B: 1820 Slonim, Grodno, Belarus
D: 1905
Grand mother was:
Fania Frida Mereminsky
1830–
Birth ABT 1830 • Slonim, Grodno, Belarus
Death Unknown
Loytas brothers were:
Cheikel Marin Mereminsky, 1820–
Nishansky Mereminsky
1820–
Select a profile image for Yushe-Leib Mereminsky.
Yushe-Leib Mereminsky
1821–1914
I think we are connected somewhere there.
Would anybody like to help me fill out the family tree from the Mereminksy line coming from Slonim?
Thanks!
Hi Everyone. I am just revisiting this chat and see a couple of new people here. Jason, I would love to help you with the Mereminsky line. My grandfather was Jacob Merriman (originally Mereminsky). He was a cantor in Hungary and then in Boston. He was the brother of Rabbi Mereminsky. I have lots of information but still putting together the puzzle. I have been in touch with Meira Sochen Itzkowitz and Joshua Mereminsky. They are my 2nd cousins. Jason, please look for me on Facebook. I looked for you, but there are several people with your name. David Gross, I think I sent you an email a year or two ago but never heard back from you.
Hi Everyone, I am Suzie Karan, daughter of Annette. Not sure why my Mom lost touch on this thread, but I happened upon it and would love to connect. My grandfather was Shlomo Kagan, son of Gittel and R. Aharon. I started a family tree document with details of our side – which website is everyone using to make updates? I’m on Facebook, too.
@Cami Klein – sorry, my was inundated with spam, and I did not see your message from back then. I’ve replied.
@Suzy Cohen – we are second cousins. Leanora’s brother was Sam Gross. His son, Jacob/Yaakov Gross is my father. Leanora and Sam are a few feet away from each other in King Solomon, which is a few minutes away from where I live. You can reach me at qwaletee [a t] gmail.com
I can’t help myself….
Meira, Joshua and Suzie, you are each… third cousins of my grandfather. I descend from Sara Michla, a sister of R’ Aharon HaCohen. He was your great grandfather, but my great x3 grandmother’s brother. And yet somehow we’ve never met!
I have in a copy of the the sefer written by the Chofetz Chaim TZL.. Toras Habayis..last sefer the CC wrote before his death. It was translated into english in 1934 and published by Rav Mereminsky.
@Mordechai Adelman – Rabbi Mereminsky published many of the early editions of the the Chofetz Chaim’s seforim. My father mentioned that he might also be directlky realted to the Chofetz Chaim, meaning that his first wife would have been a cousin of some sort. Either way, he was certainly closely connected to the Kagan family, and lived close enough to the Jewish publishing industry in New York City, that it was an obvious role for him to take.
qwaletee [at] gmail.com
Hi wife was the C.C. granddaughter.