Rav Elimelech Ashkenazi was born in Budapest, Hungary. His father was Rav Alexander Chaim Ashkenazi, nosi of Yeshiva Ohr Torah in Stanislav and later one of the founders of the Satmar mosdos in Yerushalayim.
According to family members, he was born on Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5677/1917, and was thus ninety-five at his petira. Some sources indicate that he may have been older.
He spent his childhood years in Stanislav, basking in the presence of his paternal grandfather, Rav Itzikel of Alesk. Rav Chaim Hager, the Antiniye Rebbe, whose court was also located in Stanislav, would farher Elimelech, and derive much enjoyment from listening to the young Talmid Chochom.
At the age of fifteen, he joined the famed Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin, studying under Rav Meir Shapiro, and learned together with HaGaon Rav Shmuel Wosner, later of Bnei Brak. The Rav, who was a powerful and eloquent speaker, would mention his Rebbe, Rav Meir Shapiro, in nearly every public address he gave. At the Yeshiva, Rav Elimelech forged an exceptionally close relationship with the famed Mekubol, Rav Shimon Zelichover.
He later learned in Ungvar, at the Yeshiva led by Rav Avrohom Yosef Greenwald, the son of the Arugas HaBosem.
The Rav, being a descendant of the Sar Sholom, the first Rebbe of Belz, had a close connection with the Belzer Rebbes. He was also very close to the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum.
In 5700/1940, Rav Elimelech emigrated to Eretz Yisrael, and shortly thereafter he married the daughter of Rav Zalman Weber, Rav of Frankfurt.
In Eretz Yisrael, he gave regular shiurim in the Satmar and Belzer Botei Medrash.
In 5717/1957 the Tchebiner Rav instructed Rav Elimelech to accept a position in Rabbonus, and he subsequently became Rav in Sao Paulo, Brazil. After selflessly serving this kehilla with great devotion for twelve years, he accepted an offer to become Rav of Adas Yisrael in Melbourne, Australia.
Upon leaving Brazil, his son-in-law, Rav Meir Avrohom Illowitz, succeeded him as Rav of Sao Paulo.
Rav Elimelech served as Rav in Melbourne for eighteen years, leaving a powerful and enduring impact. In 5747/1987 he moved to Seagate in Brooklyn, where he served as Rav of K’hal Chavas Da’as.
He was niftar on the 10th of Elul, 5772/2012, at the age of ninety-five, and his mitta was flown to Eretz Yisrael, where he was buried on Har HaZeisim, in Yerushalayim.
He merited leaving behind children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who are continuing in his illustrious ways.
Zecher Tzaddik livrocha.
www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history-10-elulaugust-16/
