By COLlive reporter
Arnold H. Chait, a prominent attorney in New Jersey who took a leading role in expanding and supporting Chabad’s longtime Yeshiva and the ever-growing presence of Chabad centers in the state, passed away on Thursday, 22 Nissan 5783.
He was 84.
He was born March 7, 1939 to the late David and Sara Chait in Newark, NJ. He met his wife Winifred 63 years ago and was married for close to 60 years.
Arnold graduated from Rutgers University and New York University School of Law. He practiced law in Morristown, NJ from 1965 until 2022.
He was the recipient of the Morris County Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award in Recognition of his significant contributions to the legal profession and his demonstrated outstanding legal skills and community leadership.
Most notable was his involvement and support for the Rabbinical College of America (RCA), the educational center and New Jersey Headquarters of the Chabad Lubavitch movement that is located on an 82-acre campus in Morristown.
The growth of the Yeshiva college, headed by Head Shliach and Dean Rabbi Moshe Herson, has had a significant cultural effect on the community and has influenced many Jewish families to move into the area to be near the Yeshiva and the surrounding synagogues.
Calling the passing an “immeasurable loss,” Rabbi Herson said Chait was “a friend and an advisor to our administration” for approximately 50 years. Chait met with the Rebbe and was a Trustee and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of RCA.
“With his counsel, he protected us from taking steps that might prove detrimental to the institution and helped best advance the interests of the College,” Rabbi Herson said. “Arnold was a pillar of support and protection. Sincere individuals like Arnold Chait are not usually found during these times. He will be thoroughly missed by all of us.”
At the 2010 annual gala dinner of RCA the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, an honorary degree was bestowed Chait alongside other leaders such as Michael Oren, Israel’s then-ambassador to the United States.
Chait enjoyed playing golf, was a model train collector, and loved to play the piano for family and friends. Arnold and his wife traveled throughout the years to every continent in the world and he cherished taking pictures while on vacation.
The funeral took place on Friday.
He is survived by his wife Wini, their three children Joshua Chait, Zoe Chait, and Orin Chait, and a grandchild. He is survived by his brother Richard Chait and many nieces and nephews.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
