Liepāja / Libau / Libava

Born in 5608 (1848) in the city of Kretinga, Lithuania. He studied in Ukmerge, and was ordained for halakhic rulings by R. Mordechai Meltzer, rabbi of Lida; R. Betzalel HaKohen of Vilna; and R. Eliyahu Baruch Kamai, rabbi of Mir.

In the years 5635–5642 (1875–1882) he served as rabbinic decisor in Shkud. In the years 5642–5665 (1882–1905) he served as rabbinic decisor here without receiving a salary.

He emigrated to the United States and from 5665 served as rabbi at the congregation Adat Yisrael in Duluth, Minnesota, until his passing on Rosh Chodesh Nisan 5684 (5 April 1924), and his resting place is there at the Tiferet Yisrael Cemetery.

Ohalei Shem, p. 298.

Here \
is buried a great man among his brethren, \
shepherd of the holy congregation, teacher of knowledge, \
who understood teaching and with wisdom of his hands \
guided the congregation of Israel. He is our master \
and rabbi, our master R. Yisrael Zeleg, \
son of R. Yehuda Leib HaLevi, Av Beit Din \
of our congregation. His holy soul departed (?) \
on holy Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh Nisan, \
\5684. May his soul be bound in the bond of life.

Latvia and Rabbis