On Monday, November 3, the Queens Jewish community lost one of its oldest and most inspiring members. Yisroel Dov HaLevi (Herman) Steinberg z”l passed away at the age of 104, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, courage, and devotion to his family and Torah. His funeral at Schwartz Brothers–Jeffer Memorial Chapels in Forest Hills was attended by multiple generations of relatives, friends, and community members, all paying tribute to a man whose life embodied strength, resilience, and unwavering belief in Hashem.
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Friedman, the Ulemer Rav, opened the service with T’hilim. His calm yet emotional voice reflected the gratitude and faith that characterized Mr. Steinberg’s long life, setting a tone of deep reflection that filled the chapel.
Yisroel Dov was born in Veretsky, Czechoslovakia, near Munkacs, into a respected Torah family that traced its lineage back to the Taz. His father, Rabbi Yoel Tzvi Steinberg, was the rav of Veretsky and the only one to hold a Torah for his community. Their home overflowed with Torah learning and kindness. As a child, Yisroel Dov witnessed the spiritual grandeur of pre-war European Jewry, recalling visits from the Belzer and Sanzer Rebbes and the splendor of the Munkacser Rebbe’s family weddings.
During the Holocaust, his father’s quick thinking saved their family. When they were deported by Hungarian fascists to the killing fields of Poland, he tore his daughter’s dress into strips to create yellow armbands, allowing the family to blend with marked Jews who were not executed. Nearly everyone else in that group perished. Yisroel Dov endured years of forced labor between Nazi and Russian lines, hauling heavy artillery and supplies under fire. Through it all, he hid his t’filin in a sewn pocket and wore them daily. Into his final months, he insisted on putting them on himself, taking up to 20 minutes each morning to adjust every strap with precision. His grandchildren often stood quietly, watching him perform this mitzvah with awe and reverence. Most of his family, including his parents and siblings, were murdered in Auschwitz.
After the war, he helped his three surviving sisters rebuild their lives before immigrating to the United States in the early 1950s. He refused to marry until his sisters were settled – an act of selflessness that defined him for life. In America, he met his beloved wife, Chaya (“Chaichu”) a”h, and together they built a marriage filled with mutual love and deep respect for over 50 years. Even decades after her passing, he spoke of her daily. Encouraged by his brother-in-law Lewey a”h, he entered real estate, managing property in the Bronx’s dangerous “Fort Apache” neighborhood with courage and integrity.
His son-in-law Yanki Borenstein shared how these early experiences shaped Mr. Steinberg’s lifelong character. As a child under anti-Jewish persecution, Yisroel Dov found strength in cheder and faith in Hashem. Later, as a yeshivah student in Munkacs, he lived with his grandparents and forged a lifelong bond with his cousin Sruli Fischer. Yanki explained that these experiences molded his resilience and sense of responsibility. This same devotion to family continued after the war, when Mr. Steinberg helped his sisters marry and start new lives before building his own family, when he was well into his 30s.
Mr. Steinberg’s days were guided by Torah and t’filah. He davened word by word, learned the weekly parshah, and fasted on every taanis well into his 90s. His grandson, Heshy Borenstein, said that his grandfather taught him that greatness lies in “doing the small things with faith every single day.” His son, David Steinberg, described his father as indomitable and generous, surviving impossible circumstances. Moishe Borenstein remembered his humility and consistency: “He never sought attention – his strength was quiet.” Donny Steinberg highlighted his devotion to family: “Every act he did was for his children; his nachas was watching us live by Torah.” Dr. Max Schlesinger, speaking for his wife, Gitty née Borenstein, recalled his humor and warmth, especially at the Shabbos table, where he sang z’miros, told stories, and filled the home with laughter and joy.
Even in his later years, Mr. Steinberg valued his independence. He preferred walking with a cane rather than using a wheelchair, cooked his own meals into his late 90s, and refused to eat before davening. He fasted every Yom Kippur until nearly 100 years old. His humor remained sharp – he once told his future wife he couldn’t marry her because he “had to open a grocery store in Philadelphia.”
His joy came from simple things: singing with family, giving blessings, and seeing his great-grandchildren smile. His favorite tune, “Deedle, deedle, deedle dum,” became a family song and symbol of his warmth and spirit.
For the last seven and a half years of his life, he lived back-to-back with his son David and in the home of his daughter Chanie and son-in-law Yanki, who cared for him with extraordinary devotion. They fulfilled his two lifelong wishes: that his children bring him nachas, and that he never be placed in a nursing home. “People think we gave up so much for him,” said Yanki. “But really, we were the takers. Our home overflowed with brachah because he was there.”
The family expressed deep gratitude to his aides – Leo, Rocky, Fred, and John – and to Dr. B. C. Lifshitz and his wife Faigie for their devoted care. They also thanked Rabbi Y. Y. Friedman and Ronnie Schlanger for their regular visits and encouragement.
In his final weeks, when words became difficult, Mr. Steinberg still communicated through song – humming z’miros, softly reciting T’hilim, and singing “Ki LaShem HaMeluchah.” Surrounded by family, he gave his final blessing: “You should have everything good.”
Rabbi Shmuel Marcus concluded the service with Keil Malei Rachamim. The family and mourners quietly answered “Amen,” tears in their eyes as they said farewell to the man whose faith had carried them all. As they lingered for a moment, several grandchildren softly hummed his favorite tune—“Deedle, deedle, deedle dum.”
Mr. Steinberg’s influence continues to be felt throughout the Queens Jewish community. In Kew Gardens Hills, he is remembered as a pillar of faith and humility. As a longtime mispalel at Agudath Israel of KGH, many found his presence at t’filah inspiring; he stood as a living example of quiet greatness. Neighbors and friends remembered his daily walks and warm greetings as a source of strength. Mr. Steinberg was a bridge between the Torah world of pre-war Europe and today’s American Jewry. His unwavering faith and modesty reminded us of the greatness of that generation.
As Yanki Borenstein movingly said: “We had the privilege of living with greatness in our home. He gave us so much more than we could ever give him. Every moment with him was a blessing, and we will strive to live by the faith, humility, and love he showed us every day.”
As Mr. Steinberg often said, V’shoyn tzat fin Mashiach, t’hei nafsho bitzror ha’chayim.
Y’hi zichro baruch.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
