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Remembering Rabbi David Beit- ler, z”l, by Mike Dube
IN MEMORY
Remembering Rabbi David Beitler, z”l
By Mike Dube
Afew words about Rabbi David Beitler. A man who will never be forgotten and will always be my rabbi, star quarterback, grill master and above all, one of the most influential people in my life. I would not be who I am today without his guidance, friendship, words of wisdom and constant optimism. David Beitler was one of a kind. He redefined what it meant to be a teacher but with the love of a buddy.
In 1991, I had just finished high school in Baltimore at Talmudical Academy, and, like many of my fellow classmates, I was not terribly interested in Torah learning, especially when it came to halacha and mussar. Nevertheless, I was excited to attend a yeshiva that was notorious for their incredible rabbis and their infamous abilities to connect with 18-19-year-old big shots, like myself, who thought they knew everything about life and the world around them. I was fortunate to be put in the lowest shiur, Rabbi Beitler’s shiur, and luckier still that I developed a lifelong relationship with a rabbi who understood me. We built a 30-year relationship that is eternal because of what I learned. How do you put into words the essence of this man?
Rabbi Beitler was a guy’s guy. He loved to feed people, he never passed judgment, he accepted you for who you were and not for who you wanted to become. He was one of those guys who just made you feel like someone. And when it came to football he had a golden arm, like Tom Brady. Although he didn’t have a lot of mobility in his
He was caring, generous and would give you the shirt off his back. Rabbi Beitler knew how to connect with us! pocket, he was the star quarterback in Neveh. We had an all-star football team where I learned patience as the fourth option. Always be ready is the lesson I learned.
During one game, Rabbi Beitler had suffered the loss of a parent and was unable to quarterback the game, but Rabbi Slavin, another incredible rabbi, had a holy arm, and took us to the promised land. We learned to be tough; we even played a fighting game on cement! Rabbi Beitler had tremendous charisma and honesty and knew how to connect to the guys. I will miss him tremendously.
His charisma, honesty, advice and friendship were true gifts that I will cherish forever. It was evident when attending his funeral how many lives he touched. There were many wellknown rabbis from different communities represented to honor this tzaddik.
Reb Dovid, you taught me more than you can ever imagine, about life, religion, Torah, being real and running a football route to perfection.
You will be missed but not forgotten.
A great man once said, “It’s not the years in your life. It’s the life in your years.”
Forever your student and friend, Mike Dube
This article was originally printed in the
Jewish Link in New Jersey.
Michael Dube, co-founder and president of Elite Method, has an incredible passion for working with kids and teaching them the skills needed to be successful in life. He stresses character building as much as strength and skill building. Michael is also co-founder of DubeZone, where he served as the inspiration and master trainer to a large coaching
staff. Michael is considered an expert coach for his unique ability to connect with and transform every child with whom he works. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious,
and he spreads his positive message through volunteerism, motivational speaking and the charity he co-founded, Sharing Seats, which has given away thousands of event
and sporting tickets to children in need. “Coach Mike,” as he is affectionately called, is an inspiration to many and is very much looking forward to continuing his passion in
