“He has made a difference in my life, in my father’s life and he knows more about my grandfather than I do. I enjoy the stories that he tells me about my grandparents and how they lived their lives.” These words come from an admirer of Rabbi Dovid Edelman at an event celebrating his 90th birthday.
Admirers and close friends gathered to honor Rabbi Edelman and his dedication to the community of Western Massachusetts and LYA (Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy) for over 64 years. The gala event, organized by Ron Eckman and Oscar Plotkin focused on the selflessness of Rabbi Edelman and his ability to see the good in everyone, no matter the situation.
Rabbi Edelman has touched the lives of many, many people through his sincerity and ability to relate to people. He has dedicated his life to promote Judaism and nurture the Jewish soul. In the words of Diane Troderman, “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.”
People spoke warmly about their family ties to the Edelman family and how Rabbi Edelman’s visits and phone calls continue to inspire.
“Rabbi Edelman still calls me every Friday to tell me about the weekly Torah portion,” said Ron Eckman, “and then when I go to services on Shabbat morning, I already know what is being read from the Torah in synagogue. It means so much to me that he cares enough about me to make that weekly phone call.” Eckman commented that he has known the rabbi since he was a preschooler at LYA and that he continues to be a guiding influence in his life.
Oscar Plotkin shared with the guests, that although he and several other people no longer live in Western Massachusetts, their roots are here and their roots go back to Rabbi Edelman and LYA. Plotkin also talked about the rabbi’s weekly phone calls and how much he and his family are influenced by Rabbi Edelman even to this day, many years after he moved away.
Ron Eckman, Oscar Plotkin together with LYA staff, organized this event and solicited 18 donors to each give the school $5,000 in honor of Rabbi Edelman’s 90th birthday. Ron and Oscar presented Rabbi Edelman with a model “check” to LYA for $90,000.
Rabbi Edelman was overwhelmed by the presentation and when he spoke to the assembled guests, he thanked the donors for the incredible birthday gift and said that it was fitting to have the celebration at LYA since “this has been your school since the start, you(r generosity) built it.”
LYA students also prepared a gift in honor of Rabbi Dovid Edelman’s special birthday. They wanted a present that expressed their gratitude to Rabbi Edelman for being a role model, leader and a chosid of the Rebbe.
The students and staff came up with the idea of performing 90 good acts of kindness and mitzvos in honor of Rabbi Edelman’s birthday. A book was published with pictures of each student performing their mitzvah. A special poem was written by 7th grader, Chana Wolvovsky that was printed in the book. Students of LYA from toddlers through eighth grade presented Rabbi Dovid Edelman with this special photo book.
Rabbi Dovid Edelman and his wife, Leah, moved to Springfield in January 1950 to guide the fledgling day school now known as LYA. From its humble beginnings on the first floor of a two-family house on Belmont Avenue in Springfield to its present location on Converse St. in Longmeadow, Rabbi Edelman has been a constant leader and spiritual at the helm of LYA. We wish him and his wife many more years of good health and happiness and we look forward to his continued guidance.
rabbi Edelman has been a profound inspiration to our family for four generations. May G-D bless you and , as it says on my father’s stone: ;may those who come after thee be like thee. i will miss you my friend and teacher. We will all miss you, but wet know that you are still watching over us with love.
Rabbi Eidelman Farbrenged for us in Miami and was very inspirational may he continue to have koiach to be a great source of inspiration and warmth.
We are thrilled to see so many people celebrating the 90th birthday of this great Chassid, caring dedicated shliach and dear friend, Rabbi Edelman has been an inspiration to us for 40 years, He and his dear wife have seen us through thick and thin, always there with support, encouragement and love. We wish Rabbi and Rebbitsin Edelman many more long happy, healthy, productive years.
Mazeltov Rabbi Edelman
You are an inspiring example to us all.
Still remember visiting you in summer 5725 on Merkos Shlichus with Avremi Altein and you were inspiring then how you persevered against all odds and you have BH won with the Rebbe’s brochois and kochois. A real story of Didon Notzach
Mazel Tuv !!! B”H B”H B”H may you have much Blessing till the Guelah
May you and the Rebbitzen celebrate many more birthdays and simchos gezunterheit un freilicherheit ad biyas melech hamoshioch!
Isser and Miriam Smetana
I, Yosef Kramer together with Rabbi Binyomin Lisbon visited Springfield in summer of 1971 on Merkos Shlichus and Rabbi Dovid Edelman left on us – two young bochrim – a lasting impression. May you be zoiche to the Ben Tishim leshuch – so that your prayers for the geula should be neskabel.
I am currently celebrating 33 years as an educator and I started my career at LYA. It was under the loving guidance of my dear uncle that I began my journey as an award winning educator, motivational speaker and author. Uncle Dovid, you are a true role model and pioneer in educational leadership. Thank you for setting me on this esteemed path of nurturing the minds and opening the hearts of young children. May you continue to be a source of guidance, leadership and compassion for many many years-Ad Meah V’esrim. You are truly a source of Nachas for the… Read more »
Twon summers ago I was a chaperone on teen camp bjj schulchos trip to Chabad of Springfield. When we got there, a bit late as you know how trips these trips go, I entered the building and there was Rabbi Edeleman who greeted us with such a warm and welcoming feeling making sure each camper was ok. .He then proceeded to give me a brief tour of LYA and telling all of the Rebbe directives and input that he received with such love . But what most impressed me was his genuine love to give of himself, his mentchlik from… Read more »
From LYA Alumni
Happy birthday, Uncle Dovid!!! I’m so proud to be your cousin!!! May Hashem grant you and Tante Leika many more happy healthy years together! Blessings from Eretz Yisrael, your cousin Tsirel.
all these kids r my nephews
Happy birthday and many more in good health together with his Rebbetzine
Continued hatzlacha in your shlichus work, amidst blessings of good health and nachas from the entire mishpacha!
How cool his birthday is 5 Teves
Didan Notzach day
From Mussia K.
imagine if we had any other head shluchim of this caliber? we would be long out of golus
As a proud Shlucha in Western MA, I am honored and privileged to work for the past 27 years under an amazing couple as Rabbi Dovid and Leah Edelman. They are truly inspirational shluchim and role models. May the shluchim at LYA continue to give much nachas and joy to the Edelmans and the Rebbe.