Photos & Video: Thousands pay kavod Acharon to Rebbetzin Rishel Kotler A'H

Over 10,000 Talmidim braved the stiffing heat and accompanied the aron carrying Rebbetzin Rishel Kotler from  Bais medrash Govoha where she was known as the matriarch of the yeshiva. The levaya began at 9:45 and ended at 1:10. The aron was than accompanied to JFK airport on its way to Eretz Yisrael. Kevura will be on Har hamenuchos next to her husband the Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shneur Kotler zatzal. Due to the extreme heat most of the crowd stayed indoors during the levaya as there were video and audio hookups across the various botei medrashim of the yeshiva. The maspidim were, Rav Dovid Schustal, Rav Yerucham Olshin, Rav Meir Herskowitz, R' Aaron Kotler, R' Isser Zalman Kotler, Rav Avrohom Kurkanski, R' Shraga Kotler, Rav Shea Krupenia, Rav Yisrael Neuman, Rav Shlomo Eisenberg, Rav Uren Reich, Rav Gershon Ribner and the Rosh hayeshiva Rav Malkiel Kotler. The Keil Molei was recited by Rav Chaim Ginsburg. The maspidim mentioned how the Rebbetzin was the last connection to the previous generation and her passing is an end of an era.

They spoke  about the tekufos the Rebbetzin went through in her life from when her parents were taken out of her house and killed by YM'S. The tekufa when she escaped to Russia and than to Japan while she was separated from her chosson for 8 years until they were reunited in 1947 when she got the papers to let her out. The tekufah when she lost her husband at a young age and the passing of her son Rav Meir ztl. Through all these Nisyonos the Rebbetzin exemplified tremendous Emunah in hashem. Emunah in Torah and Emunas chachomim. Although she had a mind of her own was very knowledgeable and had what to say she was totally mevatel herself to her husband the Rosh yeshiva. she was an almana for 35 years but In her home the chair Rav Shneur sat on was never moved from its place. She was the vessel in which was mekabel from the Roshei hayeshiva and was able to transfer over the musar avicha with her Toras Imecha. It was pointed out that as an eishes chaver it was befitting her to have this kavod Acharon. She transmitted the great Mesorah she received from her parents as well as from her Husbands maternal grandparents Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer and his Rebbetzin Beila Hinda, her in laws Rav Aharon Kotler and his Rebbetzin Chana Perel.
The Rebbetzin was the mother of the Yeshiva she cared for each talmid as if they were her son. She never stopped worrying despite all the tzaros she had she never thought about herself it was always what can she do for others. Be it finding a shidduch getting someone a job, helping a poor girl get married or taking care of a bochur or youngerman that needed medical assistance. The talmidim were the malchus and she was the matriarch. She elevated the kavod of the bnei hayeshiva it was pointed out by her son that she insisted Bnei hayeshiva not be reffered to as a guy but rather as Reb. Her einiklach were always on her mind as were the many other children and talmidim who spent time in her house as bnei bayis everyone felt the motherly love and caring. 
Another levaya will take place in eretz Yisrael. There is no doubt said the Ry she will be greeted in the olam haaemes by Her Husband, her son, parents, her in laws, grandparents all of which were always on her mind. TNZBH