In Memory of Reb Yankel Montag, zt’l: A Beacon of Quiet Benevolence

A Life of Humble Service and Generosity

Reb Yankel Montag, a man known for his modesty and quiet benevolence, was niftar last week at the age of 75. Reb Yankel, the esteemed owner and operator of a substantial electrical supply company, leaves behind a legacy defined not just by his business acumen, but by the profound impact of his selfless acts of generosity and support.

A Successful Businessman

Reb Yankel ran a thriving electrical supply company, which he built from the ground up through hard work and dedication. His entrepreneurial spirit and keen business sense allowed him to create a prosperous enterprise that served countless customers with integrity and excellence. Yet, behind the façade of a successful businessman, and his many professional achievements, Reb Yankel remained grounded and true to his Torah values and his humble nature.

Unseen Acts of Kindness

Reb Yankel Montag's true passion lay in his quiet acts of kindness and his unwavering commitment to helping those in need. He was a man who never sought recognition or accolades for his deeds; instead, he found joy in the simple act of giving. His financial support extended far and wide, reaching individuals and families who found themselves in difficult circumstances. Whether it was to help pay a medical bill, finance a wedding, cover educational expenses, or provide for basic necessities, Reb Yankel was always there, offering a helping hand and a compassionate heart, with no fanfare.

A Pillar of Support

Reb Yankel’s generosity was not limited to financial aid. He was also a source of moral support and guidance for those who needed it most. There are countless stories of Reb Yankel stepping up the plate to assist families who lost everything in a fire or other catastrophe with financial support, moral support and even hands-on construction support.

His wisdom and empathy made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many. Reb Yankel believed in the power of encouragement and often provided solace to those facing life's challenges. His ability to listen and offer sound advice was a testament to his deep understanding of the neshama of a Yid.

Championing Education and Community

Reb Yankel Montag's benevolence extended beyond individuals to educational, religious and civic organizations. As a licensed contractor, he used his skills and expertise to provide hands-on assistance to Yeshivos, Batei Knesset and Batei Medrash. He financed projects, offered advice, and personally contributed to the maintenance and improvement of these institutions. Reb Yankel understood the importance of education and community, and he dedicated himself to ensuring that these pillars of society thrived. Among the many beneficiaries of his largesse were Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, Camp Morris, Yeshiva of Brooklyn, Khal Veretzky, Yeshiva Novaminsk, Yeshiva Torah Temimah and numerous others.

He was personally involved in the building and renovation of these and other mosdos, bringing to bear not only financial assistance but also practical architectural and building advice – Reb Yankel was a licensed contractor and got his parnoso start in that field. And, as told to me by Rav Shlomo Mandel, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Brooklyn, Reb Yankel wasn’t above getting hands-on with the construction, the shlepping, the waste removal and other tasks that are usually relegated to the hired help. He viewed the construction as a mitzva and as such, mitzva bo yoser mi’bi’shelucho.

Reb Yankel also participated on a “lay leadership” level with the mosdos that were nearest and dearest to his heart, including Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin, Camp Morris and Yeshiva of Brooklyn, among others.

A Legacy of Quiet Service

In a world where many seek recognition for their charitable acts, Reb Yankel Montag strove to avoid the limelight. His contributions were often made anonymously, with no expectation of gratitude or praise. Those who knew him were aware, usually through others, of some of his countless acts of kindness, but Reb Yankel rarely spoke of them. He believed that true tzdoko was not about acknowledgment but about the genuine desire to make a difference and to do the rotzon Hashem.

A True Eved Hashem

For many years I was privileged to daven one table away from Reb Yankel, whose ruchniesdike home base was Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin. Watching him daven was a shiur in avodas Hashem. In keeping with his mehalech of hatzneah leches, he did not engage in vocal or body language histrionics, but his demeanor – the look of concentration on his face, his unwavering focus on the siddur in front of him, the care he invested in clearly pronouncing every word with kavana – was constant. His absorption in his learning was on the same level.

If you wanted to chap a shmooze with Reb Yankel you had to wait until the final Amen of the final Kaddish, or until he closed his Gemara.

Vignettes of Chesed

To bring the gadlus of Reb Yankel home in more than just an abstract sense we present several of many, many stories that emerged as people came forward after his petira to discuss how they, personally, were beneficiaries of his benevolence.

·       A yunger man was having parnoso difficulties after leaving kollel; nothing he tried seemed to work out. He decided to get his feet wet in real estate, going door to door, asking people if they wanted, perhaps, to sell their house. Finally he hit upon what he thought was a good deal, but the asking price was much more than he could afford. So he consulted Reb Yankel. Reb Yankel taught him the ropes of real estate investment, gave him confidence and loaned him the entire sum necessary to make the purchase. This yunger man became successful and he attributes his success to Reb Yankel.

·       Reb Yankel’s involvement in kiruv was not well-known but it was yet another facet of his chesed. There is now a wonderful, frum family whose mother, the daughter of a non-Jewish man and a Jewish woman, become frum as a result of Reb Yankel’s tireless efforts over many years.

·       A homeowner was scammed, and as a result his house went into foreclosure. Reb Yankel bought the house and allowed the owner to live there for the remainder of his life.

·       In the depression of the late 1990’s several Yeshivos had problems making payroll, and Reb Yankel laid out the funds so that the Rebbeim and staff could be paid on time.

·       During that same tekufa other Yeshivos were not always able to cover their checks on time and some of their Rebbeim got into the habit of exchanging their Yeshiva checks with Reb Yankel’s personal check so that they wouldn’t have to worry about having to delay depositing their funds.

·       Reb Yankel heard when my wife and I were about to buy our first home and he reminded me that we had to have the house inspected before we closed. When he saw my blank stare he told me not to worry, he would take care of it. He personally inspected the house and gave us a detailed report of what needed to be taken care of before we signed our contract.

·       Reb Yankel’s son Yisroel told me that when he was a camper at Camp Morris, Reb Yankel, who had a summer home there, would ask him to bring him some of the Camp cholent before Shabbos. He said, “but Abba, we have our own cholent!” And his father told him, “I’m not interested in eating the cholent, but, as one of the baalei batim helping to run the camp, I have to make sure that the food we serve our bochrim is of the highest quality!”

Remembering Reb Yankel Montag

As we remember Reb Yankel Montag, we celebrate a life lived with purpose and compassion. His legacy is etched in the hearts of those he touched, a testament to the power of quiet benevolence. Though he is now in the olam ha’emes, his spirit of generosity and humility will continue to inspire and guide us.

Reb Yankel Montag is survived by his beloved family; his wife, children and grandchildren, all of whom are following in his ways. He also leaves behind a community that is forever grateful for his myriad acts of chesed. His petira leaves a void that can never be filled, but his memory will live on in the countless lives he changed through his selfless acts of compassion, and in the mosdos that he contributed to. May he be a mailitz yosher for his family and for the tzibur.

When we reflect on the life of Reb Yankel Montag, we are reminded of the profound impact one individual can have on his tzibur, and on the world. His life serves as a shining example of how we can all strive to be better, kinder, more modest, more generous – and better ovdai Hashem.

תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים