Reb Menachem Mendel New

Reb Menachem Mendel New, a pillar of the Melbourne Jewish community, and the Lubavitcher institutions in particular, passed away Monday morning at age 97.

Born in 1928 in Melbourne to his parents, Reb Yisroel and Rivkah New, Gerrer Chassidim who had emigrated to Australia, a few years prior, he grew up in a deeply religious home permeated with Chessed that later became a virtual center for helping postwar immigrants settle in Melbourne.

With the arrival of the five Lubavitcher families sent by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1948, he became an integral part of their efforts to build Educational and Communal life in Melbourne, devoting himself tirelessly to raising funds for the Yeshivah and  Beth Rivkah schools, in addition to his personal enormous financial support, and serving on the executive committee of the Yeshiva Center for over forty years. 

In 1952 he married Assia Kluwgant, daughter of Reb Isser and Chaya Kluwgant, who were one of those families sent to Australia after the war.

As he began to build his family and textile business, with the arrival of Rabbi Yitzchok D Groner to Melbourne in 1958, sent by the Rebbe to take the helm of the Chabad institutions, his involvement in the Yeshiva Center intensified, as he proudly served as Rabbi Groner’s “right hand man.”

He also served on the board of the Monterfiore home for the aged.

Humble and unassuming, he was the epitome of a “mensch” - a person of unflagging integrity. 

Countless people turned to him for his sound counsel and kindness. He never turned anyone away. A steady stream of fundraisers would find their way to his home and business, and he treated them all with dignity and respect and supported them generously. Many people in need of short- or long-term loans knew that they could always turn to him. 

He was an extraordinarily proud husband of his wife Assia and supported all her community and charity work, including her concert tours to raise funds for the Children of Chernobyl.

He was very proud of his family, encouraging his children to pursue their passion in life while inculcating them with a sense of duty to serve the greater community whether formally or informally. 

His passing leaves a deep void and marks the end of an era for the Melbourne Jewish community where was a deeply beloved and respected - iconic - member. 

His life story spanning almost a century encapsulates and embodies the story of Jewish Melbourne and the establishment and phenomenal growth of Chabad Lubavitch over the decades following the Holocaust. 

He was pre/deceased by his wife Assia and son Chaim.  And survived by his children Stera Gutnick of Melbourne, Moishe New of Montreal, Yossi New of Atlanta, and Ruvi New of Boca Raton and by his loving in-laws, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.