Ashdod the Torah mourns the passing of Rabbi Raphael Shitrit zt’l, one of the veterans of the city of Ashdod, who over the years established synagogues and educational institutions in the city. He was 97 years old when he died.
His family paid tribute after his passing and said that the deceased was “clean of hands and kind-hearted, guarded his mouth and tongue, dear to man, loved by mankind, brightened the face of every person, pursued charity and kindness, cherished and compassionate Rabbanan, lover of Torah and Lumidiya”.
They also said that the deceased used to “pray with the hot hawk and was careful for many years to read the entire book of Psalms and also set a time for studying Mishnah every day.”
His family said that the deceased founded and built from scratch the ‘Great Treasures’ synagogue in the 7th district with his own money.
He also founded and built the “Ahavat Shalom” synagogue in the 5th district, where he led the synagogue for many years with his son, Rabbi Yehuda Shatrit, who passed away 9 years ago.
They also said that he “earned throughout his life to distribute large sums of money to charity, to Kemha Depasscha, to the Torah workers and also by secretly giving to needy families.”
His funeral is taking place at this time in the Ashdod cemetery.