Benzion Kaganoff Obituary

Chaval al de-avdin v'lo mishtakchin.

My wife and I loved Rabbi Benzion Kaganoff for his wit and wisdom and pleasant company. He was a fine scholar, excellent preacher, superb teacher, a fantastic role model. His modest goodness, sweet, endearing personality, kindness, compassion and Torah are eternal.

Our memories {of travels abroad together} endure.

His family knows how just much he cherished them. T'he nishmaso tserura b'tseror ha-Hayyim.

Rabbi Ronald Zev and Debbie Schwartz

I was deeply saddened by the news that Rabbi Kaganoff passed away. He had such a strong presence in my life growing up in Rogers Park. I went to Hebrew School at Ezras Israel, he officiated at my bas mitzvah and my wedding. He also officiated at both my parents' funerals. My family always held him in very high regard. He made a tremendous impact on everyone who met him. He was truly the people's rabbi and he will be missed.

I just found out about the passing of Rabbi Kaganoff and was deeply saddened. My family were neighbors of the Kaganoffs and attended Congregation Ezras Israel my entire childhood and adult life until this past year when I moved from the area. My best to Mrs Kaganoff and the family. Ellen Semon (Silverstein)

Rabbi Kaganoff was my rabbi at my bar mitzvah and again officiated at my wedding.
He was my teacher and I respected him so much.
He officiated at my mom's funeral and was in my opinion the most wonderful rabbi I have ever been in contact with.
He was warm and smart and a real mench.
I was on vacation when I heard the news and I am so sorry for the family's loss.
I will never forget what a wonderful person he was and will always remember him.
Burt Abrams

I have just learned of the passing of Rabbi Kaganoff. The Deitch family has a long history with Ezras Israel and thereore Rabbi Kaganoff. My grandfather was one of the original members of the synagogue when it was on Artesian Avenue in Humboldt Park. I was the first student in the Hebrew School on California and Lunt. I was active in the youth group. My parents Betty and Clem Deitch were active members throughout their lives. My sister and brother in law Debbie and Ira Rosenberg continue to be members. I will always remember our Rabbi as a bright engaging spiritual leader. He will be missed.

Rabbi Kaganoff was my high-school Jewish History teacher at the Chicago Jewish Academy. Later, I taught in the Sunday School of his synagogue, Ezras Israel. (I celebrated my Bar Mitzva in that shul before his tenure as Rabbi).

I always had the greatest respect and admiration for him, as a scholar and "mentsch". Although I have not had direct contact with him for over 50 years, I have kept up-to-date through knowing his daughter and sister-in-law. I send my condolences to his family.

Y'hei Zichro Baruch

TO CLAIRE AND THE FAMILY
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES IN YOUR TIME OF SORROW. MAY YOU KNOW OF NO MORE "TSAR"
SINCERELY.
SHIRLEY TRATTNER

I just heard of the Rabbi's passing and am deeply saddened by this loss to everyone who knew him. My parents were dear friends of Claire and the Rabbi and I always felt privleged that we all were able to share so many wonderful times with him, his parents, Claire and the girls. I was their first babysitter. He will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

My sincere condolences to the Kaganoff family. Rabbi Kaganoff holds a special place in my heart and my wife's heart. He not only married us, he was the Rabbi that married my parents and my wife's parents. He was a very sincere and thoughtful person. I felt very privleged to have the opportunity to talk with him and me around him. He was an inspiration to all he touched. He will be greatly missed

PS . I recently wrote but neglected to mention that my Grandparents were Hyman & Rose Brahill & my parents, Seymour & Lillian Glassman may they also rest in peace!

Richard Glassman, Charleston SC

Dear Family,

Rabbi Kagaoff was a very instumental part of my family growing up in West Rogers Park. My Grandparents, mother & father were
initilal members of Ezras Israel when it was just a very small building & grew up watching it grow thanks to our Rabbi. Myself & my brother were Bar Mitzvah by the Rabbi and he presided over the funeral services for my grandparents and my father & mother. I am deepely saddened by his passing,,,,,,,,,,truly a great guy!

Richard Glassman

Dear Claire and Family,
My heartfelt sympathy to the whole family on the tremendous loss of the Rabbi. He will now to a "Guta Beter" for the whole family. My HaSham console you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
Betty Katz (Sunrise Florida)

My condolences to the Kaganoff family. After all these years, I still called Rabbi Kaganoff "my Rabbi" and wrote in my books that he was a memorable sermonizer.I still quote him.Such wisdom, knowledge and great humor.Rabbi Kaganoff conducted my Bat Mitzvah and was a huge presence. He will be missed.

My sincerest condolences to the Kaganoff family. As a congregant of Ezras Israel, I revered the Rabbi and held him in the highest esteem. Rabbi Kaganoff officiated at all our family events (weddings, bar mitzvahs, and funerals). He was a kind and brilliant man and a comforting presence. He will be missed by many but the memories of his goodness will live on in our hearts. May his memory be a blessing.

Dear Friends, Permit me to express my heartfelt sympathy upon the loss of Rabbi Kaganoff. It was my privilege to know him for almost 50 years starting with the time I lived in West Rogers Park and belonged to Cong. Ezras Israel. He truly lived an examplary life giving learning, leadership and knindness! He was a mench in every sense of the word. At this time of great sorrow, one can recall the beautiful legacy with which he has blessed us; how fortunate we are to have known him. May G-d comfort you as He does all mourners of Zion.

My wife and I were married by rabbi Kaganoff in 1968. Our oldest daughter was married in 2000 and Rabbi Kaganoff officiated at her wedding as well. Every year at our anniversary, we received a letter from Rabbi Kaganoff congratulating us on our anniversary.

I also had Mrs. Kaganoff as a Hebrew teacher at Austin Jewish Community Center as a child. Rabbi Kaganoff was a learned, kind and considerate man with great passion for his calling.

Our entire family send their heartfelt condolences to Rabbi Kaganoff's family and offer our support during this difficult time.

Please know he touched our lives in a profound way as I'm confident he did to countless others.

Sincerely,

Richard and Pam Jaffe, Glencoe, Illinois

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. MAY YOUR WONDERFUL MEMORIES HELP SUSTAIN YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.