Balancing his love for education with his career as an advertising executive and publicist, Rabbi Shmuel Krimlovsky touched the lives of thousands of children in the classroom and on the silver screen, where he appeared in popular adventure films aimed at Jewish children. Krimlovsky passed away on July 31 as a result of years of declining health, and in his last weeks, a battle with COVID-19.

Born in 1933 and raised in Tel Aviv, Krimlovsky grew up in the court of the Modzitz Chassidic dynasty, and became a teacher in the Ger Talmud Torah in Bnei Brak—a position he held for four decades. He became known for his captivating lessons and focus on lifting his students up, treating them as the young men they were.

In an online tribute, a former student, upon witnessing a fight between several classmates, said Krimlovsky refused to begin the next lesson until all were at peace, disciplining them with a positive parable to help them understand for themselves the mistakes they had made.

In the 1990s, film director Yehuda Grovais saw a gap in the entertainment market for young Jewish families with the movies of the day not reflecting the values parents and teachers were striving to instill in their children. He set out to establish a film company that went on to produce more than 50 movies in a two-decade span, and recruited Krimlovsky to appear in many of them.

Suddenly, he became a familiar face in homes across the country and the world. At the same time, he retained his position as a teacher, imploring his students to recognize that he would only appear in films with strong educational and moral lessons, and not seek out fame and adulation. Krimlovsky taught for 40 years.

In addition to the advertising firm he led with his wife, Krimlovsky was a devoted Chassid of the Shomrei Emunim Chassidic group and a beloved member of the community.

He is survived by his wife, Shifra; their 11 children; many grandchildren; and thousands of admirers.

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