Tributes after sudden death of Ilford Chabad rabbi, 43

Tributes have poured in for an Ilford Chabad rabbi described as a “real go-getter” who died on Sunday at the age of 43, leaving a wife and eight children.

Rabbi Moshe Muller “influenced people far beyond his [Gants Hill] community,” said friends and colleagues, who were still coming to terms with the sudden death this week.

Muller, who served as assistant director at the regional Chabad Lubavitch Centre and assistant rabbi in the Beis Hamedrash Chabad synagogue, died of a heart attack while in hospital, where he had gone after feeling unwell several days earlier.

He had no known heart or health conditions, according to Chabad Lubavitch chief executive Rabbi Bentzi Sudak.

“Everyone’s in absolute shock,” he said. “He had an amazing effect. He always had a smile on his face. A lot of kids in north-east London went on camps with him, and he helped hundreds of people kosher their kitchen. He was one of those guys you just want to be around.”

At his funeral, which wove through Stamford Hill where he taught at a Chasidic school, as well as through Ilford and Enfield, were Chasidim, Charedim and others representing “a complete cross-section” of the Jewish community.

“His reach wasn’t just in his local community,” said Sudak, who said there was widespread “confusion” at the funeral.

“On the youth side, he led day camps, the overnight camp, and had youth groups, but for others, he would organise whiskey tours in Scotland, visiting distilleries and such. He was just so upbeat, a real go-getter. A huge loss. I can’t even put it into words.”

Jodeci Joseph, a young member of Chabad of Buckhurst Hill, was one of many who recalled Muller’s influence, paying tribute to him during a speech at the Chabad Lubavitch UK ONE Dinner in March.

Community members have begun fundraising for his family, with well-wishers being asked to contribute through U.K- and U.S-based online campaigns (links below).

US Campaign: https://www.youcaring.com/the-muller-family-567418

UK Campaign: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/rabbimuller