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September 16, 1956

Eulogy for Louis Katz (1956)

Eulogies & Memorials
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Eulogy for Henry Lindenbaum (1982)

I rise to speak the eulogy over Henry Lindenbaum out of pain, of course, and out of love and sympathy – but mostly out of numbness. We read from the Torah that when Aaron, brother of Moses, lost his two children, va-yidom Aharon. The accepted translation is that Aaron was silent. Silence, indeed, is the most sensible reaction to the enormity of the disaster that has overtaken this family and our community. What can one say about this terrible coincidence, this repetition of an unspeakable tragedy: his father was killed in a crash at the age of 47, and now Henry is killed in a crash at age 45, leaving a wife in the prime of her youth; mothers and brothers and a sister to relive the pain of the old wound even as the new one sinks its teeth into them; and children bereft of a father whom they idolized.But there is a second translation of that Scriptural term va-yidom (attributed to the Jerusalem Targum) and that is, ve'shabbach, "and Aaron praised." The plain meaning of that commentary is that Aaron, despite his grief, praised God. But why not interpret that to mean, as well, that he praised his deceased children?We are here to say farewell to Henry and to bemoan him but also to give him the praise he 80 richly deserved.Perhaps the most salient feature of his short life was his capacity for growth. Orphaned of a wonderful father when veryyoung, angry and resentful at his harsh fate, a rebellious child — he grew and matured to a pleasant, warm, gracious, tranquil, loving, and loveable adult.He gallantly overcame his childish pique to become a splendid human being -- and, as well, a highly successful businessman.In his business dealings and in all his relationships he was impeccably honest. He conducted himself with unsullied honor and uncompromised integrity. He was fair, straight, ethical -- a true gentleman.Henry never spoke an evil word about another person, and no person ever had anything bad to say about him. His character was never touched by envy. No matter wha…
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Eulogy for Ludwig Jesselson (1993)

There were no eulogies spoken at Luddy Jesselson's funeral, because it was the eve of Passover when Jewish law forbids excessive mourning and therefore prohibits eulogies; hence this memorial meeting assumes double importance, and the moving tributes we have heard this afternoon are all the more meaningful. Yet, despite the absence of formal tribute at that time, there were eulogies offered for him. As I walked with and through the throngs that came to honor him, from Presidents and Prime Ministers and professors and communal leaders to the most ordinary of ordinary folk, I heard comments that came from the heart, with an eloquent simplicity born of honesty and pure respect and gratitude for this unusual, historic personality. In effect, therefore, there must have been several hundred private eulogies—all of them sincere, heartfelt, and heart-warming. This formal event is in the nature of a public confirmation—a collective "amen"—to those spoken that dark day in Tel Aviv, and in the homes and hearts of thousands of individuals around the globe.And all these tributes were and are offered not because Luddy needed them for his reputation to be secured, but because we need them to satisfy our own need to be humbly grateful to a humble and great man.I got to know Luddy and Erica best when I came to Yeshiva University as President over 16 years ago, and found Luddy as a Trustee and later Chairman of the Board, and Erica as an indefatigable leader of our Museum and an advisor on most other aspects of university life. But I remember them when they were first courting—I was a youngster then. How impressive Luddy was! He was a conservatively dressed but dashing young man, with a diamond tie pin in his perfectly tied tie, the same kind of up-turned brim on his hat that he always favored, a benign but highly intelligent smile on his face, and speaking convincingly and brightly and with good humor on almost any topic. These characteristics hardly changed in the course of the de…
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Eulogy for Max L. Friedman (1979)

Two of the most significant days in the Jewish calendar are Rosh Hashanah, the new year, and Shabbat, the Sabbath. They represent two different notes in the symphony of Jewish values. Rosh Hashanah is a day when we sound the Shofar, the ram's horn: the ancient alarm clock that stirs the conscience and jars the complacence of those who listen to it with the requisite sensitivity. Shabbat is a day of rest and quiet. (The Jerusalem Talmud maintains that only with difficulty did the tradition permit people to greet each other on the Sabbath!) It is a day which mutes the din of daily turmoil, and in which a serene joy prevails. It is the day of Shalom, peace, and hence the greeting, Shabbat Shalom.Both of these are important. There are times when we must choose the stirring stimulus of Rosh Hashanah, and times that we must opt for the subdued thoughtfulness of the Shabbat. But if we are forced to choose one over the other, which does the Jewish tradition recommend?The answer will be obvious this year, for in but two days we shall be celebrating Rosh Hashanah which falls on the Sabbath. And on this day, the Shofar will be silent. The Shabbat takes precedence over Rosh Hashanah. Judaism cherishes the value of the soft word over the loud blast — no matter how eloquent; the quiet thought over the jarring alarm — no matter how necessary.Max L. Friedman epitomized this triumph of gentleness and serenity. He was a refined gentleman who was modest and warm in private, even while he was wise and perceptive.It is not an exaggeration to say that he possessed saintly attributes. In the Jewish tradition, saintliness (hasidut) does not have other worldly connotations. Rather, it implies superlative character, exemplary moral conduct.Max Friedman was such a man. He was a man of shalom, of peace. Indeed, his name, "Friedman," means, "a man of peace." He was sweet and generous and kindly, thoughtful and loving and considerate.He demonstrated this character all his life. He was loving an…
Eulogies & Memorials