By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Dovid Edelman, who is said to be the oldest Chabad Shliach in the world who led Chabad in Western Massachusetts, passed away on Friday, Tevet 11, 5775.
In an interview with JEM, Rabbi Edelman told of a rare comment he heard from the Rebbe while he was a student at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim at 770 Eastern Parkway, circa 1942.
The Rebbe told him and other students present that he had asked the Frierdiker Rebbe how he should be interacting with the many Jews that come to his office with requests.
The answer: “If a Jew comes to your office and he is “missing a hand” – he doesn’t put on Tefillin, or “he’s missing a foot” – he doesn’t go to shul, to that Jew you have to have a deeper love, because he is lacking. The more he is lacking, the greater your love has to be to that Jew.”
This fundamental lesson in loving one’s fellow Jew has been a guiding light in Rabbi Edelman’s life, as he led and expanded the Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy Day School in Springfield, Massachusetts, for over 60 years.
When Rabbi Edelman arrived, the school had an enrollment of several dozen students, Chabad.org reported. For many decades, his duties ranged from bringing the children to school in his station wagon in the morning to making payroll late at night—and everything in between.
VIDEO: Rabbi Edelman speaks about his childhood and life in Massachusetts
Throughout, he has touched the lives of many people through his sincerity and ability to relate to people. He has dedicated his life to promoting Judaism and nurturing the Jewish soul.
“You can always count on Rabbi Edelman to be there for the sake of a mitzvah; whether it is time to shake the Lulav and Etrog on Sukkot or to share hand-baked Shmurah Matza for Passover, he is there,” said philanthropist Diane Troderman.
Just last week, students, friends and admirers joined him to celebrate his 90th birthday and presented him an album of their 90 good acts of kindness and mitzvos that were done in his honor.
“He was beloved by everyone,” his son-in-law, Colonel Jacob Goldstein told COLlive.com. “For all the years I know him, I never heard him say anything negative about someone else. He was devoted to the Rebbe and that was also shown through his Ahavas Yisroel.”
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Leah Edelman, their children Mrs. Seema Goldstein – Crown Heights; Mrs. Tzirl Deitsch – Crown Heights; Sterna Sara Tenenbaum – Crown Heights; Rabbi Yisroel Edelman – Deerfield Beach, FL; R’ Yossi Edelman – Crown Heights; Mrs. Zlata Mochkin – Crown Heights; Mrs. Sheina Ezagui – Crown Heights; Mrs. Esther Kosofsky – Longmeadow, MA; grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The levaya will take place on Sunday, 13 Teves at 9:00 AM from Springfield and pass by 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn at 2:15pm.
The family: Rebbetzin Leah Edelman, and children, Mrs. Seema Goldstein – Crown Heights; Mrs. Cyrel Deitsch – Crown Heights; Mrs. Sterna Tenenbaum – Crown Heights; Rabbi Yisroel Edelman – Deerfield Beach, FL; R’ Yossi Edelman – Crown Heights; Mrs. Zlata Mochkin – Crown Heights; Mrs. Sheina Ezagui – Crown Heights; Mrs. Esther Kosofsky – Longmeadow, MA; and his brother Menashe Edelman – New Jersey, will be sitting shiva at the home of Rebbetzin Leah Edelman, 29 Silver Birch Drive in Longmeadow. until Friday afternoon.
Shacharis will be at 7:00 a.m.
Minchah will be at 4:00 p.m. followed by maariv.
Phone number, 413-384-2157
The family email address for condolences is: [email protected]
The family has setup a blog to share stories and memories of Rabbi Edelman: RabbiEdelmanLegacy.blogspot.com
Baruch dayan haemes.
I was very saddened to learn of Rabbi Edelman’s passing and took a few minutes to feel the loss that I knew his family was feeling. oNe of my experiences with him was when he came to my house with his students and Rabbi Chaim Kosofsky in April to bless my apple trees for a good harvest, and I learned later that that was his first time saying the blessing! I was humbled to have been asked to provide this opportunity. Rabbi Edelman was such a force at LYA and in the community as a whole. They say everything starts… Read more »
Thank you so much for posting the video, it was just amazing. What a special person! 🙂
A great man will be missed
It has been a honor for me to have known this true chossid and shliach of the Rebbe for the last three years of my life, and his words on shabbos is what gave me something to think about during the week.I also learned how a chossid should conduct himself and how one should really show true love for a yid. I hope in my increase of Torah and mitzvos, and growing in chassidus,and involvement in the yeshiva , this should bring Rabbi Edelman much nachas and a aliyah in gan eden
Rabbi Edelman was connected to my family for decades and my sister and I attended the Yeshiva in the 90s starting with preschool. Without Rabbi Edelman and his staff I would not be a religious Jew today. Particularly I remember how almost every conversation he had was about Torah and Mitzvos. No matter who he spoke to, from layperson to Satmar chassid, he would find a special message for him or her be it the greatness of the people in the parsha, the divine connection we receive with each mitzva or the light that learning chassidus brings into a Jew’s… Read more »
I have often thought that it was in the zechus of the shmurah matzos Rabbi Edelman delivered to our family in Holyoke that I became a Baalas Teshuva nearly 24 years ago. My father, A”H, always gave to Rabbi Edelman’s Chabad House because as Rabbi Edelman told me, “He believed in the perpetuation of Jewish education.” Rabbi Edelman, who knew my family on both sides, truly exemplified the holy mission of a Shaliach. His light will only continue to shine brighter and brighter. May his family be comforted, and may we see him soon with Moshiach Tzidkenu.
Robin Garbose
Baruch Dayan HaEmes. Rabbi Edelman came to Farbreng with us in honor of Yud Shvat. He spoke about being sent out by the Friediker Rebbe and what early shilchus was like. Such a special man. Hamakom ye’nachem eschem be’soch she’ar aveilei zion ve’yerushalayim.
BDE Rabbi Dovid was a treasure to both sides of my family for five generations. It began when he arrived and davened with my zaide Abraham Newman at Kesser Israel and forged a wonderful relationship with my great uncle’s Morris and Louis Katz. He has inspired me for decades. Whenever I would come back to Spfld I would see him and he helped me so much. When I would return to Florida everyone would ask me for a blessing because I had been with him. I spent a couple of hours with him at the school just before Yom Kippur–now… Read more »
Chaval all de’avdin vlo mishtakchin he will always be remembered for the great imprint he made on his surroundings. Hamokom ye’nachem eschem be’soch she’ar aveilei tzion ve’yerushalaim. Shaul Fasten
I feel so sad about it.
A great loss to the Springfield community. Our sincere condolences to the entire family and extended family.
I first met Rabbi Dovid Edelman with my father while delivering heating oil to his home. My father mentioned he was a special man a Chassid. Fast forward 20 years and Rabbi Edelman was at our oldest sons Bris. He encouraged us in the most edel way to raise our son in a home filled with Torah and good deeds. Fast forward another 20 years and our boys are Chassids and our home is filled with Torah. We will continue to grow and and make certain his encouragement to emphasize Mitzvot is stronger then ever.
BDE I am so proud to have known Rabbi Eidelman A”H. I want to express to the entire family my deepest heartfelt sympathy is such a great loss both all of you and for the entire Lubavitcher community worldwide. Isser Goldstein
Dear Mrs Edelman and family,
Rabbi Dovid was such an inspiration and a friend, happy to meet and reach out to all at whatever their level of observance. His excitement as he spoke of the Parashah was always something to look forward to sharing, I will miss his teaching and will always remember his insights and love for Torah. Diana
In searching my mind, I find that I cannot remember a time when Rabbi Edelman was not a part of my life. From nursery school to this day, he has been a beam of light, a purveyor of righteousness and an emissary of knowledge. my admiration for this man is unending. My husband and I always welcomed the chance to shake the lulav, receive Schmura matzoh, attend Yeshiva activities and bring our grandchildren to Yeshiva-sponsored activities. Rabbi Edelman was all-welcoming and sincere. Although my husband and I do not consider ourselves particularly observant, Rabbi Edelman always seems to lift our… Read more »
Rabbi Edelman was a gentleman through and through. He NEVER had a negative word to say about another human being. He always greeted you with a smile, a brief dear torah and a kind word. He somehow ALWAYS knew exactly what to say-no matter how bleak my situation was he always managed to lighten my heart. The world mourns your passing and shares in your sorrow.
My family and I arrived in America and settled in Springfield in 1949 from a displaced persons camp in Austria. He gave my mother a position as kindergarden teacher at the Yesivah on Summner Ave. I was to young to attend school, so he allowed Mother to bring me along. Soon after, I was allowed to attend Yeshivah there from kindergarten through sixth grade. I learned Chumish and Gemahrah for Rabbi Edleman, and am teaching Hebrew to my Grandson. I last spoke with Rebbe Edelman at my Mother’s funeral in Springfield, where he gave the eulogy. He was and is… Read more »
It sadden’s us of the loss of a great Rabbi in our community and how blessed we were to have him as our Rebe. To everyone in the Edleman family from the Karolinski’s we would like to express our sympathy. The community won’ t be the same without him.
Vehachai Yitein el liboi…….the comments keep saying that.he never said anything bad about another person! Lets take an example so Moshiach will come sooner!
I think rabbi Feffer In Pittsburgh is A shliach and in his 90s
Very sad to hear. HaMokom Yenachem Eschem BSoich Shaar Aveilei Tzion Virushalayim.
baruch Dayan Emes May We see Him together with the Rebbe MelechHaMashiach tekef umiad Mamash!!!
I met Rabbi Edelman – never could call him anything else! – over 40 years ago. Spent my first kosher Shabbos at his house and went from there to yeshiva, to raise a family and was honored to often host him for dinner on his annual Florida trip. I was so pleased that he got to see my peiros and peiry peiros, that all trace back to his kindness and warmth, on that cold Shabbos in 1972.
Just can’t believe he’s gone.
Yaakov Rudd
There is at least one more Person around who was a Shliach of The Friedike Rebbe & is related to Rav Dovid as well & he still B”h has an older Brother Menashe that is still around. His sister A”h was Rebbetzin Altein from Pittsburgh
W hat I learned from Rabbi Edelman?
That every Shabbos is special and every single Jew is special
Baruch Dayan Emes
We know Rabbi Edelman for more than 30 years…what a wonderful man he was. He will be greatly missed in our life and our community. Our sincere condolences to Mrs. Edelman and the whole family.BDE.
Rachel and Alan Sampson
We will always remember the special times with Rabbi Edelman and his family when we lived in the North End of Springfield. He was a special man who will be greatly missed.
Avis & Roy ( Hatch) Lemire
I am so sorry to here of the passing of Rabbi Edelman. , I have so many fond memories ,went we lived next door. & I did some of his daughters hair when they got married, my deepest Sympathy, to the Family , Ada Hatch selwitz
Rabbi was a big part of my life when I was 4 years old. I went to the Yeshiva Nursery School on Sumner Avenue. He was there for my family when my brother was killed. He was there for me when each of my parents died. He will always be I my memories. Diane Weiderlight Nuger
Is there any way to get Rabbi Kosofsky number
Rabbi Edelman and his lovely wife Lillian, along with his entire family have imprinted such a strong love of Judaism and Torah at LYA, his teachings and memory will surely be a blessing for all the days to come.
I have had the privilege of working on shlichus with Rabbi Edelman for 27 years. There is so much to say about him, but I will post a few memories here: A young boy of 3 years old took out a candy. Rabbi Edelman sat next to him and leaned over with a big smile, as he listened to the bracha and answered אמן. The children in our school felt a personal relationship to Rabbi Edelman, as you see in the story and picture when they presented him with their book of hachlatos in honor of his birthday. His personal… Read more »
I knew Rabbi Edelman for many years personally and
his name in Yiddish personifies its meaning, a gentle
man who never spoke a bad word of his fellow Jew.
This man was like a spiritual father for me who was
truly the personification of a real shaliach in the
best sense of the world. All Anash have lost a truly
great man in the purest sense of the word
My mother and Lillian (David’s wife) are first cousins, so I would see him every now and again. He was always very caring, warm and welcoming and full of energy. Even in his 80s he was able to dance up a storm at weddings. He was supportive and non-judgmental, smart, learned and humble. May his memory and the example of his life be a blessing and a guidepost for all.
Jerrold
Shocked and saddened by the news of Reb Edelman’s passing.
He was part of my life from the time I came to Springfield, almost 50 years ago. Baruch dayan emet.
He was a sweet, Yid – when ever I saw him it was with a genuine smile and hug (never a hand shake) I will miss him greatly
Though I taught at LYA only for a year. I enjoyed seeing him poke his head into the classroom and every student sat quietly, giving him the utmost respect while listening to his stories. He will be surely missed.
to the family of rabbi edelman
please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss
rabbi edelman was a very special person and we are sure
you will miss him dearly
but look at the bright side of what he accomplished with
his wonderful wife in his lifetime
may his memory be for a blessing to all of us klal yisroel
baruch dayan emes
So much love and knowledge. He will be greatly missed but even more remembered.
As I was walking out of LYA with Rabbi Edelman,obm,one Friday morning, I wished him a good Shabbos. He wished me a “freileche” Shabbos. He did it again! teaching me that you should wish something better for the next person! Our lives(3 generations of my family) are that much richer having him as a friend. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy
Such a special man
Rabbi Dovid will be missed by all.
Alan and Nancy
Rabbi Edelman was a true Shlaich of the Rebbe and the Freidiker Rebbe. Whenever he had the opportunity he would farbreng with Yeshiva Bochrim, telling them stories and lessons of 770 in the 1940’s!
Bde. I knew him only slightly, but his genuine smile and obvious warmth, chassidishe feeling, and breadth of knowledge inspired me. Why? Bc he portrayed all that with an obvious humility. May the family be comforted
I was once on a trip to Israel with a group that he was part of as well. I was pregnant at that time and he was so concerned about me, that I should be careful and not over exert myself. That fatherly care and kindness that he had came across in everything he did. A true chossid and mensch! May his beautiful family continue his example and legacy.
oy vey
i miss him he would always tell me stories and give me seforim//////
Shliach since he was 17 years old. BDE
Chabad has lost a true shliach of the rebbe.
Mamish two weeks before his Great grandson’s wedding
So so sad!
Moshiach now
What a great source of inspiration for us all.
Your dear friends from the neighborhood.