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April 6, 2000

Eulogy for Morris B. Abram (2000)

Eulogies & Memorials
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Eulogy for Abe Stern (2006)

Tisha B’Av early this year... Indeed, generally: man = microcosm; but sages: micro-Mikdash. Hence: your premature Tisha B’Av = ours... Both as family member and communal leader – he was a powerful personality, leaves indelible imprint on lives of wife, children, grandchildren, all Jewish community. In his personality, paradoxically combined two opposites – firmness and flexibility. וידבר משה אל ראשי המטות – "מטה" – "שבט" – rod/whip. Avraham: both strictness/principle; suppleness/means. At home = loving and giving husband/father/grandfather. At work = disciplinarian; could demand as well as inspire.Used skills as Soc Wrkr (YU)t fulfil sp mission: OUTREACH I remember lsl YU Seminar—was insprtn JSS; set pattern f... Truly /tv rahani -tho othrs claimd credit;sp’l fathr thousandsYoungst mmber large/distngshd famy, h brought thm נחת Presided talentd, committd, loving family Dghtrs=also hs studnts; role model gr-chAbove all: Malka’s heroism...a classcal example Iv/loyaltySaid: hs Death =Churban,TB. But trad: glimmer hope/conslatnבמנחת ט"ב נולד המשיח|.איכה: קרא עלי מועד.לכן: אין תחנון, צ״צ בשבת חיד״א: לכן לא מיחו חכמים’על בנות דאהר חצות מתעסקות בכל כחן לכבד הבית ולתקן המטות, חיזקו ידיהם לקבוע אמונת הגאולה ולא יתיאשו ח״ר.Final note:תענית כ"ט—תי׳ר: משחרב הבית בראשונה נתקבצו כיתות כיתות של פרחי כהונה, ומפתחות ההיכל בידן, ועלו לגג ההיכל ואמרו לפניו: רבש״ע ... יהיו מפתחות מסורות לך, וזרקו□ כלפי מעלה. ויצתה כעין פיסת יד וקיבלתן מהם, וה□ קפצו ונפלו לתוך האורSo: Abe left “keys” t dghtrs, ..... Build yr fams, educate thm as he would have wanted
Eulogies & Memorials

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Eulogy for Dr. Hyman Kirschenbaum (2000)

Tu B’Av = semi-holiday; required not over-indulgent expression of sorrow. I and my wife knew Hy and Judy >40 years. Admired him for his professional competence, humanity, family, Yiddishkeit. Born London, Ont.; public school; Western Ontario Medical School. Yiddishkeit – from intensely Jewish home; father taught him. Major part of career – BIH, neurosurgery. Intensely devoted to patients; his surgery saved thousands; not only professional care, also personal attention... Patients = humans... רופא נאמן / רופא רחמן... so: imitatio Dei. Humble: never affected by professional arrogance, though earned undying gratitude of patients and their families. When federal anti-religious cuts impacted kashrut in 1981, recall – Hy was outraged. Fought at the peril of his own career, but never relented until he won. When Russians came to New York – spared no effort: classes, lectures at BIH, highest pass rate – all free. Continued several years. Honored often – awards, plaques, etc., loved and admired – yet never sought such rewards. Passionate for honor, not honors.Three anomalies:Died of an aneurysm – the very condition he so often treated. Very busy surgeon, yet always made time for the family he loved. We take leave of him in sadness... on a happy day in the Jewish calendar. Mishna at the end of Taanit: לא היו ימים טובים לישראל כט״ו באב וכיום הכיפורים שבהם בנות ירושלים יוצאות וחולות בכרמים. Such contradiction! But see it as part of the progression – Tu B’Av → Shabbat Nachamu – Tu B’Av with its theme of shidduchim, marriage, children, family = continuity of Am Yisrael.So, no anomaly: today is a Tu B’Av; but be confident – eventually נחמה – and then, his family will continue in health, strength, and devotion to his ideals. The grandchildren he so adored... will live, achieve, and be a blessing to Hy’s memory. In your sorrow, know consolation will come – and then... for generations.
Eulogies & Memorials

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Eulogy for Murray Baumel (2001)

My first memory Uncle M – 2 1/2 years old, with brother Moishe. Last Thursday, brother and I flew to Florida for last visit with him. All through his life, Goodness – to our mind – main feature his personality. I loved the man... I flattered that he reciprocated. But then again – all of us felt that way about him. Madelaine – his life-partner: equal טובת לב; accessible to family. נחת from daughters... Howie... grandchildren – His inner life... not always evident to outsiders... M grew up in special home – father Rav/Gaon... not easy for sons. BUT M adored him, loved him, doted on him – Indeed: M saw in his eminent father his profound link to past/tradition/Yiddishkeit. שמות רבה – בשעה שעלה הקב״ה למשה טירון היה משה לנבואה. אמר הקב״ה: אם עלה אני עליו בקול גדול – אני מבעתו; בקול קטון – בוסר על הנבואה. אמר הקב״ה: מה אעשה? עלה עליו בקול של אביו עמרם. אמר משה: אבא חיי מה אבא מבקש? אמר לו הקב״ה: איני אביך אלא אלהי אביך, בפתוי באתי אליך שלא תתירא: אנכי אלהי אביך, אלהי אברהם אלהי יצחק ואלהי יעקב. שמח משה ואמר: הרי אבא נמנה עם האבות, ולא עוד אלא שהוא גדול והוא מכר תחלה. M always felt inadequate compared father... felt he disappointed him. Expressed to me directly... people = different / conditions different USA / Poland (but these did not remain negative feelings. Instead – loved him more. As grew older, even tried to participate in Zeid's intellectual life – Gave דברי תורה... Active in shul/community; was מוקיר רבנן. What a tribute to him – to grow morally/spiritually in your 80s–90s... He and Madelaine endowed annual Faculty Incentive Award YU... and named it Moishe–Murray, Baumol–Baumel and Madelaine B. On behalf all nephews/nieces: we loved you, M, will always remember you.
Eulogies & Memorials