(VINnews) Popular educator and speaker Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein passed away on Monday morning, May 2.

Rabbi Wallerstein was famous for being the founder of the Ohr Naava institute. After seeing tremendous success, the organization grew into an umbrella organization composed of numerous programs for Jewish women.

According to Ohr Naava, Rabbi Wallerstein was an icon in the Jewish world of fearless vision, deep conviction and unfailing warmth. With more than three decades in chinuch, the dynamic educator touched the hearts and souls of thousands of students from all shades of the religious spectrum.

R. Wallerstein brought back hundreds, if not thousands, of Jewish young people to a life of Torah and mitzvot. He initiated programs, schools and other educational programming to ensure that no young person be left behind in yiddishkeit

Rabbi Wallerstein was an internationally sought-after speaker, traveling the world and inspiring men and women from all walks of life.

He spent his years living in Flatbush together with his wife Estee, his partner in all his endeavors, who he leaves behind together with their daughters and grandchildren.