By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Menachem Rodal, a veteran and beloved educator who sparked the imagination of Jewish children in Pensylvania and California, passed away on Monday, 28 Nissan 5777.
He was 68 and suffered from an illness.
Menachem Aharon Hakohen Rodal entered the field of education when the Rebbe sent him on Shlichus to Pittsburgh, to teach in the Yeshiva Achei Tmimim – Yeshiva Schools in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh native Jacob Nemon, who is now a litigation attorney, recalled Rabbi Rodel being “One of the coolest and funniest teachers I ever had. We called him Rabbi Riddle.”
Rabbi Rodal later moved to Los Angeles to work at the Cheder Menachem boys school, where he taught the basic subjects such as Chumash and Gemara in his unique manner.
Rabbi Rodal shared his passion for the world of science with hundreds of students, hatching chicken eggs in class, bringing in an item from his prized collection, or taking them step-by-step through the process of kashering a lung.
With his vast knowledge, sense of humor and friendly manner, Rabbi Rodal was a hit with adults and children alike. His classes were informative, interesting and hands-on, leaving you with an indelible appreciation for the miracles of nature we take for granted every day.
Filmmaker Robin Garbose said Rabbi Rodal “introduced our children to the wonders of animal life and was always cracking the funniest jokes. He rode everywhere on his bicycle, always with a smile. We are heartbroken.”
His 40 years in the field of Chinuch included spending the summer months at Camp Gan Israel of Detroit and Machane Mamosh – Gan Yisroel West Ranch Camp in North Fork, California.
He was also known as Rabbi Nature for the educational presentations and workshops he would conduct in schools and camps. His lectures would often be coupled with hands-on demonstrations when he spoke about animals, the elements of nature and kosher.
Rabbi Mendel Shusterman had Rabbi Rodal speak about honey and bees at the Hebrew School of Chabad of Beverly Hills in California. He said Rabbi Rodal had the students “entertained for the entire time he was there. The parents who were there were fascinated by the presentation as well.”
“He was a living example of what a shliach, a chossid, a mechanech, a father, a husband, and a friend should emulate,” family members said.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Shterna Rivkah Rodal, their children Rabbi Mordechai Rodal – Johannesburg, South Africa; Rabbi Sholom Ber Rodal – Los Angeles, CA; Menucha Rochel Loewenthal – Denmark; Rabbi Yechezkel Rodal – Inverrary, Florida; Mirel Levitansky – S. Simcha Monica, CA; Devorah Leah Heidingsfeld – Moorpark, CA; Chana Raizel Sossonko – Miami Beach, Florida; Rabbi Meir Yitzchok Rodal – Crown Heights; Rabbi Yossi Rodal – Melbourne, Australia; Chaya Mushka Chazan – Crown Heights; Bracha Esther Rodal – Crown Heights; and grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings Mr. Berel Rodal – Ottawa Ontario, Canada; Rabbi Shmuel Rodal – Milan, Italy; and Mrs. Chana Raizel Kagan – North Miami Beach, Florida.
The levaya will be passing Cheder Menachem in Los Angeles today (Monday) 3:30 PM and on Tuesday passing by 770 Eastern Parkway at 12:15 PM.
The family will be sitting Shiva in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 1640 Carroll, Brooklyn, NY. Shachris: 9:30 am. Mincha, Maariv: b’zman. The family will be sitting shiva in Los Angeles for the remainder of the week at 1700 S. Wooster St, Los Angeles.
To support the family’s financial needs, donate at www.rodalfamilyfund.com. Memories can be sent to [email protected].
Baruch dayan haemes.
Your comments are beautiful! Thank you for keeping him with us through your words and love. #42, please make sure you share this with the family. An awesome memory that I will share with others.
Robin Garbose
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.
MH
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.
MH
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.
MH
cgi detroit -a memory as a staff member who worked with the rodals for many years, i had the privilege to get know Rabbi Rodal and Shterna on a personal day to day basis as one does an overnight camp environment. One particular memory remains in my mind although there were many others, it was during the color war girls camp, and his wife shterna played a very active role in particular helping with the songs (which became timeless camps songs and sung all around the world in cgi camps), the counselors would come to her private room( not too… Read more »
As a contemporary of Reb Menachem from the 50’s, 60’s in Montreal – I can say that even at a young age he excelled in his Chasidishkeit and mentschlichkeit and we had who to look up to in those days in Montreal (Leibel and Ceitins, Z;L Reb Wolf, Z’L, Reb Peretz Z’l , Rab Aizik Schwei Z’L Horav Hendel, Rab Yudel Chitrik) Rab Feigelstock, Rab Berel Mockin, Rab S.B. Gurkov, Horav Hirschprung Z’L, Reb Zalmen Shur Z’L, Reb Zalman Marozov Z’L and others and we still do today, but he shined among students like Benzion Stein, Levi Bistritsky Z;L, Isser… Read more »
Even though I never met him, he has influenced many through his daughter Devorah.
We’ve been missing Rabbi Rodal for years in Pittsburgh. Now the whole world misses him. BDE
He taught me his last year living in pittsburgh. He was so memorable. Such a wonderful lively person
he taught my brother as a young boy he came to my shul and made a show. I could not even believe my ears when i heard that he left us how sad. may his neshomo rest in peace
I didn’t know Rabbi Rodal, but just reading these comments has me so engaged, I can only imagine what it was like to actually interact with him.
Perhaps “someone” will put together a book with the stories, jokes and memories of Rabbi Rodal.
Yehi zichro baruch.
Hamakom yinachem eschem b’soch she’ar avaylay tzion
viy’rushalayim. Every fiber of his being was Rebbe, shlichus
and chinuch. Yehi zichro baruch.Rabbi Moshe and Mindy Feller
B”H Revealing the kedusha in Hashem’s creations and bringing the love of nature and science to all ages. Thank you, Rabbi Rodal! Love and condolences to the Rodal family, Yael in SF
A man who constantly told jokes for all the right reasons. Not always funny but always a thoughtful super-mentsch. Sorry to the whole family for your astounding loss. A.P.
Rabbi Rodal always had a smile, a joke, a meaningful word, and you had to smile too… What a terrible loss. Hashem, please send Mashiach NOW!
I have warm memories of Rabbi Rodel from 30 years ago in CGI Detroit when for the first time, I met a camp rabbi who was so multi-faceted yet still down to earth, funny but deep, an amazing role model who showed us how to direct our gashmiusdike passions and leanings towards Torah and Chassidus, who had no need for discipline because he was so engaging that we all wanted to hear everything he had to say and who was so gentle and kind yet solid at the core. HIs entire “mehus” was that of a an “emese”, “ehriliche”, “chassidishe”… Read more »
Rabbi Rodals legendary humor was just a disguise for a deep, wise and perceptive man. He knew that the way to reach our minds and hearts was through hands on activities and humor- decades ahead of the times..
Those were the days of CGI Deroit with Rabbi Rodal walking around with his goat and smile and Mrs Rodal farbrenging with us literally all night.
We couldn’t fathom where they got their energy and enthusiasm from! Boundless and a cut above.
Rabbi Rodal is cheering us on from on high. Let’s not disappoint him
So saddened by the passing of Rabbi Rodel
I remember when his foot was hurting,……… he said that he needed to get a “Toe” truck.
What an unforgettable teacher/friend/ chossid.
He left an indelible mark on every student.
May his humor be his advocate for him,…………. and for Klal Yisroel!!
Rabbi Rodal Z”L embodied Simchas HaChayim! In all my years learning in and visiting Pittsburgh while the Rodals lived here, I don’t remember ever seeing R’ Rodal without a genuine smile. And I still repeat his jokes!
“Why do we wash Negel Vasser in a round Shissel? Because it’s a sign of mo(u)rning!”
We are indeed mourning down here, but up in Shamayim our dear Rabbi Rodal is surely evoking laughter and joy…אז ימלא שחוק פינו…may it happen immediately!!
Shulammis Saxon
Thank you for that one. I had forgotten it! By the way, the Parsha this week is a “double-header” – another Rabbi Rodal-ism.
Truly special and easy to love! I write those words after only having known him or spent one month with him. In CGI Det 94.
Sincerely, MSG. Bde
Whether it was on the way to school, Shabbos afternoon or Melave Malkas dedicated just for us…the Rodal home was always open and filled with warmth, friendship and laughter. Rabbi Rodal , AH and Shterna gave all of us the feeling that their home, was our home.
Thank you for those cherished Pittsburgh memories.
May Hashem Comfort you Shterrna and your dear family .
In the merit of your exemplary husband, may we greet Moshiach Now!
Debby Cadaner
He was the camp Rabbi and beloved by all
Why did the man bring the ladder to shul on Yom Kipppur?
Answer: Because it was the “High” Holy Days!
So true # 17! Just thinking about him would bring a smile to everyone’s face!
May his family be comforted,…….. and may his memory be for a blessing!
A master teacher, using humor, imagination, props, and his vast knowledge of Torah and science, to keep his students GLUED to their seats, and listening to every word coming out of his mouth.
He will be dearly missed by his countless students the world over.
He didn’t hesitate to do a favor even to a total stranger, such as myself.
Michoel from Montreal
When I went to high school in Pittsburgh I lived across the street from the Rodals. I have so many fond memories of the fun times we spent with Rabbi Rodal a”h and family. He and his wife were always welcoming and made you feel that they were so happy you came. Rabbi Rodal had a great sense of fun. My favorite was watching movie reels backwards. He was truly a special man. May his memory be for a blessing.
זכיתי להיות בקעמפ גן ישראל”קאלקסקא דטריוט”.. בשנת תשמ”ז ומ”ח ועוד
וראיתי איך הרב ראדל שלימד ושחק עם הקבוצה של הילדים שבאו מבתים שבנתיים לא היו דתים
והכניס כל הכחות בהלימודים ובמשחקים שפעל עליהם הרבה
הדוגמא חי’ הי’ למופת
והחי יתן על לבו
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
מ.מ.א. פריז צרפת
Mizmor l’soda
Pop-corn
Aisav’s English name: Harry
It’s decades later, and Rabbi Rodal’s jokes still bring a smile.
He was a Sweet man . Knew him and his family well . BDE
So sorry, Mordechai, Berke, & your Family.
We so loved your father. His smile, his warmth, his jokes!
In Pittsburgh, he made me feel at home.
May Hashem comfort you!
Yirmi Cohen
Because of Rabbi Rodal and others, we learned about Judaism and have wonderful frum families. He is a person who I will always remember, always a smile on his face. He impacted literally hundreds of lives. May his memory be a blessing, and may his smile continue to be infectious
Our pain is just too much, the loss beyond. Tears, tears, tears. Our children will never forget Rabbi Rodal’s smile, his amazing jokes. He taught them so much, always with joy. He was a true mentch. We miss him so much. No words. Shterna, we love you.
A genuine, kind, and loving human being!
A man who loved life and was the epitome of אוהב שלום ורודף שלום as I think back I don’t think I ever heard him complain or say anything negative about anybody he was the ultimate role model and left a profound impact on anyone he came in contact with… BDE
Rabbi rodal was such a mentch.
And all of us who remember him as camp rabbi. How he took interest in every camper showing us his incubators, snakes, goats, lungs and more. He was an integral part of the overnight camp scene
Always so kind and positive to everyone. Moshoach,we need you now.
Pittsburgh lost a true Rebbe when he moved to California years ago. Now the entire world has lost a great Rebbe. One of the kindest and sweetest men the world has known. The families should know only simchas! -BDE
We met him during the public school strike of 1975, and he immediately worked hard to make the “strike kids” feel welcome and comfortable. The only man who could simultaneously teach Novie and soccer.
Very good and specia memmoris learning class and the Chickens:) In Gan Yisroel Detroit. Moshiach now!!
What a unique individual!
He gave us an excitement and passion for learning in Yeshiva in Pittsburgh and was an example of true Ahavas Yisroel in his devotion to his students with sincere love and care.
An amazing man with a smile always, EVEN WHEN HE WAS HORRIBLY ILL- kids loved him and his animal shows and we loved him in SHul ( chabad of Beverlywood) for his jokes/puns and kindness- BDE
Rabbi Rodal will be missed. His wife and children should be comforted and only have simchos from here on out.
How much can we bear? Golus needs to go NOW!
What a sweet sweet man with a warm smile to everyone and a sense of humor. He embodied Ahavas Yisroel. May the whole family know of no more Tza’ar.
A great teacher a great chossid a great loss . surely he will make a tumultuous shturm to bring GEULAH NOW