A Tribute of Love by Rabbi Zev Schostak

IN MEMORY

A Tribute of Love Rabbi Yehudah Kelemer

By Rabbi Zev Schostak

When the news of the passing of their dear rabbi was announced last Friday morning, the entire community of West Hempstead was thrust into shock and mourning. When the announcement of his death over the loudspeakers in local schools was made, students in his community started weeping.

What kind of a rav could evoke such heartfelt feeling and universal love, not only from his congregants but from members of other shuls, including condolences from non-Jews in the community?

There was only one individual who was able to make such a profound personal impact on the entire community: Rav Yehudah Kelemer, zt”l.

Rabbi Kelemer had many wonderful qualities that endeared him to all. He loved all young and old in the spirit of the Baal Shem Tov. In fact, he was a tenth generation descendent of this founder of chassidut. He showed his love in a very unique way. When he met people, he was able to discern qualities that made them very special and made a point of telling them what wonderful middot they possessed. When the Rrabbi shared these insights with them, they were uplifted and felt very positive about themselves. In the process, he lifted their spirits when they were down. He lived the teaching of our rabbis: “Who is honored? He who honors others…” (Avot 4:1) And he honored so many by discovering their unique qualities and making them feel so positive about themselves.

Rabbi Kelemer had incredible devotion to his community. He was often up in the early hours of the morning to make himself available for telephone calls ranging from halachic inquiries to personal matters. He responded to his callers with his genuine personal warmth and concern, no matter what the hour. Some have said that when it came to the people he loved, he transcended time. A poignant story is told about his unbelievable dedication. A young couple made a late night visit to the hospital to check on their newborn who was struggling to survive in the ICU. Imagine their surprise when they arrived and saw the rabbi davening by the baby’s crib side.

When it came to his mastery of the Talmud and halacha, the Rav was in a class by himself. On one occasion, he invited five serious young yeshiva fellows to a special session. He asked each to prepare a 10-minute dvar Torah chiddush on whatever topic they wished. The last 10 minutes of the hour session, the rabbi reserved for himself. After they finished, he began to weave all the divrei Torah together in a common theme that both excited and inspired these young men – an experience they would never forget!

When it came to halachic rulings, he would regularly consult with such authorities as Rav Elyashiv, zt”l. In his early years, in Telshe Yeshiva in

Imagine their surprise when they arrived and saw the rabbi davening by the baby’s crib side.

Cleveland, he was already recognized by his roshei yeshiva as a prodigy. Later, he learned for many years in the Mirrer Yeshiva in Jerusalem, where he became close to the legendary Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, zt”l. His love of mussar and personal ethical behavior was enhanced and inspired by his relationship with R’ Chaim.

Just as he loved his community, his community loved him. In fact, he role modeled the qualities that many in his community personally adopted. To list a few: being open, friendly, down-to-earth, genuine, loving humanity, and not being judgmental. These are qualities that every community could adopt, but in West Hempstead, Rabbi Kelemer was the role model. To highlight Rabbi Kelemer’s unique impact on his community, he would often walk across town on Shabbos to visit some individuals in need of his advice and support. From the moment he left his home, individuals who saw him came out and joined in a procession behind him. He never disclosed whom he was visiting because he did not want to violate their privacy. So, some time before he arrived at his destination, he would gently ask the chevrah to return home. Why did so many join with the Rabbi on his walks? They just wanted to be close with him and to realize that one could be both “to G-d and to people,” to cite the old Yiddish expression. Rabbi Yehudah Kelemer was of this world and the next throughout his life.

It has been said: Behind every great tzaddik, there is a greater tzadekes, who made it possible for her husband to become the tzaddik he became. That individual is Rebbitzen Ruchie Kelemer. In true humility, Rabbi Kelemer, following the example of Rabbi Akiva, declared, “All that I am and have achieved belongs to her.”

May his memory forever be a blessing.