Rabbi Shmuel Festenberg, A.B.D. Golina

Rabbi Shmuel served as the Rabbi in Golina after his father in law, Rabbi Asher Lemel Prost left for Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) in the year 1843 approx. He died 14 years later and was succeeded by his brother in law Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Prost.

There is some confusion if Shmuel served as the Rabbi or deputy Rabbi. See this forum for a discussion on this matter. See this document where he is referred to as Deputy Rabbi.

His second marriage document seems to imply he was born in 1811. All other sources imply 1807.

His death record from Golina says February 17th 1857. The Hebrew death date on the tombstone converts to February 19th 1857.

Tombstone inscription:

"נפלה עטרת ראשינו הוא אדונינו הרב המופלג הצדיק בקי בחדרי התורה שימש בכתר הרבנות יותר מי"ד שנים באמת ותמים, ה"ה הרב הגדול מו"ה שמואל אב"ד דפה גאלין בן מו"ה מרדכי זצ"ל נפטר ונקבר ביום ה' כ"ה שבט תרי"ז תנצב"ה".

"The crown of our heads has fallen. Our master, the great and righteous Rabbi, versed in the inner chambers of the Torah, served in the Rabbinate more than fourteen years, with truth and perfection. The Great Rabbi our master Rabbi Shmuel the Chief Rabbi of Golina the son of our master Rabbi Mordechai ZT"L. Died and buried on Thursday the 25th of Shevat 5617" (free translation)

Writings

Some of Reb Shmuel's original writings were sold in 2017.

Personal Life

Little is known about his personal life other than the fact he came from a simple family, though his father, a stall-keeper, was also a learned person. His first marriage was in Golina in 1838 to a daughter of the town Rabbi. Upon the death of his first wife he remarried in 1847 a divorcee from Slesin (she was actually a first cousin once removed of his first wife). He had offspring from both marriages.

It appears from his writings that he was an Izhbitza Chassid.

(Deputy) Rabbi in Golina after his father in law left for Yerushalayim

See: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/responselist.asp?key=25273