Idella Goldenberg
Unknown Date
Came home a little while ago from the White Shul. It was quite a tribute. Everyone spoke incredibly-I know the whole thing was videoed for you all. You have so much to be proud of, Phyl. It doesn't take the pain away but it does mitigate it somewhat. Your father was so beloved by all in the room. What a life he led and the children he raised. You are all a legacy -you and your children after all what can anyone say after all is said and done. I think your father died, knowing that everyone was settled and happy. How many fathers can say that?. He had much to be proud of. The memories you all have are forever and in time you will be able to focus on all that. How lucky you all are to be raised by him. Spoke to Yossie's mom and sisters. I introduced myself to them. You name them, they were there--quite a turnout, B"H. Sending you love and hugs always, me.
Bonnie Fein
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis,
I was so sorry to hear the news about the loss of your father. I have many memories of your father and mine working on the school merger and other school matters together. His impact in the White Shul and the greater Five Towns community was well known and respected. His family is a legacy that he left to the Jewish community. I am sorry that I was unable to pay a shiva call in Israel and I am going to try and be at the memorial this evening. However, i am on my way to Boston for the day and hope to be back in time to attend. I wish your family only smachot in the future. Please keep in touch.
Bonnie Fein
Pauline Grillos
Unknown Date
Dear Mrs. Witkin,
I would like to express my deepest condolences on the passing of your husband, Rabbi Jerome Witkin. I worked with him in the Bureau of Nonpublic Schools for many years. He was always such a jovial, charming and lovely gentleman. I would call him, as the Liaison Officer, with problems at my school and he would always approach each dilemma with a smile in his voice, a funny remark and a realistic solution. I send you and your family my best wishes and hopes for strength at this difficult time. Pauline Grillos
Judy Metzger
Unknown Date
To the Witkin Family,
I was so terribly sorry to hear of the loss of Rabbi Witkin. I worked in the same Title I Program as Rabbi Witkin and spoke to him on occasion. He was always very pleasant and helpful. The yeshivos gained much from having him in place and I'm sure this will be a great zechus for him.
Ha mokum ynachem eschem b'soch shear evalai zion v'yerushalaim.
Judy Metzger
Title I Teacher E.S.L.
Pinky and Jackie G.
Unknown Date
DEAR AVI AND FAMILY, WE WERE VERY SADDENED TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR BELOVED DAD, JERRY. MAY YOU BE COMFORTED BY FOND MEMORIES AND HIS GOOD DEEDS. YOU SHOULD ONLY KNOW OF SIMCHOT FROM NOW ON. HAVE A FREILOCH PURIM LOVE PINKY AND JACKIE G.
Saul Kaszovitz
Unknown Date
Dear Avi, Phyllis and Zehava,
I was very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. There are people in your life with whom your paths cross that leave a lasting and indelible impression. Your father was one of those people. Although I hadn’t seen your dad in some time, my memories of him span back many years, and every image that I have of him is with him smiling. He always seemed to be smiling. But he also seemed to have a seriousness of purpose. Growing up in the White Shul, all you had to do was picture the bima and you automatically conjure up an image of Jerry Witkin laining. Or, imagine the back row of his section (where I was always sitting on the radiator with Seth Levine, Aryeh Wiener and Steven Strauss) and you see him in the corner treating the davening with the proper kavod it deserved. But, obviously his life and achievements had the greatest impact on those closest to him, his children, all of whom have grown up to be bnai and bnot torah with an obvious love for Eretz Yisrael, Torat Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael. I am sure that each of you was a tremendous source of nachat for him.
Again, I am so sorry for your loss and I hope that you find some sort of nechama in knowing what a wonderful person he was.
Please also extend my condolences to your mom, sisters and brother.
Tehei nishmat tzrura bitzror hachaim.
Saul Kaszovitz
Managing Partner
Golden Mountain Management, LLC
Gary T. Silverstein
Unknown Date
Phylis (and Yossi and gang),
We are so devastated by the news of your father's death. We send this email in case getting through by phone is too difficult (although we will try).
Your father was a very special person whom we loved talking to and being with. We were both so fond of your father (my kids were also very upset to hear of his death. They remember him and had been saying tehillim for him). He was passionate about many thing: eretz yisrael, children, family, learning torah and participating in all aspects of shul services. Yet he was also such a mench. He always had time to schmooze (always the last one out of shul) and had an infectous good nature. In fact, a baal tefila must be "mi'urav im ha'brios" and he surpassed in that qualification.
I often rode with him on the A train and we spoke about many topics: Israel, YU, bensonhurst, the NYC Board of Ed. (he was very helpful certain members of my family who were teachers in the system). I enjoyed that time and learned much. He was also particularly generous to me when I arrived in the white shul as youth director following his active involvement.
We were so excited when we heard that your parents were making aliyah, a life-long dream. While everything is beyad Hashem, he was zocheh to fulfill this dream.
But the nicest thing anyone can say about Rabbi Witkin is to just point to his children, each one more special than the next. Your parents raised great kids and I know he derived much nachas from all of you.
I hope what I have said brings comfort, but hearing this news today has made me quite emotional.
Although now may not be the time (and I will try to reach out to Joel after shiva), if anything is contemplated in the US (a hazkarah/shloshim etc... for his friends here), please let me know what the white shul can do, and I will get to work on it.
Hamakom yenachem eschem bsoch shar aveili tzion vyerushalayim. Kindly share our condolences with your mother and siblings.
With Love,
Tuvia and Miriam and Family
Uri Lazar
Unknown Date
Over the past few days your family has been on my mind. I know it was hard for us to talk with so many people around but I expected that and understand. I was unable to properly express my sorrow to you and your entire family, especially your mother. Your father was a great man and it shows in his children. I too remember all the times he picked us up from basketball practice, mishmar or any other function were we car pooled. Over the past 38 years we have spent many ups and downs together and this is the hardest of them all. My entire childhood is brought back with this tragedy and all that we have shared. When someone goes through difficult times, as I have over the last few years, you tend to do a lot of soul searching and reminiscing and seeing what you could have done differently. I have made a major effort to connect to many members of my extended family where I did not before. Some of it being my fault and some being because of someone who did not allow me to cultivate relationships with my family and friends. I missed out on many things because of it and I am trying to fix where I can. I am happy we have been in closer contact over the past couple of years and hope it continues. Life is short as we have learned so why spend time thinking about what could or should have been.
Your father’s passing has made me think even more. He was a tremendous person and Talmud chacham. The nicest person you will ever meet, I am sure you and your siblings have had issues as we all do with our parents, but he exemplified what it means to be a Baal Midot. Your parents brought up wonderful children. Each of you exemplify your parents and what kind of people they are. Your love for Eretz Yisrael and Torah is an example for each of us. Rabbi Teitelbaum, my Rav of the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst was over my house last night (we have a chaburah every Tuesday night and he gives shiur). He said how wonderful your father was and mentioned how amazing Zalman is (he knows since he married a girl from his shul). It is just a legacy that your father (and mother) should be proud of and will be as he (they) watch all of you, children and grandchildren grow.
I know the last few months have been hard and you do not want to remember him in this way. Just remember him as the strong, smart, energetic man we all knew and loved. I wish you and your family only bracha, happiness, mazel and health and we should only share in many smachot together.
Love Always,
Uri
Mindy Elfenbein
Unknown Date
Phyl,
I'm so sorry about the loss of your dad. He as such a fine man always with a smile on his face. May you know more sorrow.
Mindy Elfenbein
Karen Rabin
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis,
I think of you often and all the special sparks of your soul and character and know that your father gave you a foundation. a love and generosity of spirit to help shape you into who you are.
May you and your family be comforted in Hashem's embrace.
Thinking of you,
Karen Rabin
Cheryl Klein
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis,
I dont' know when you will get the chance to read this and I will probably see you and talk to you before you get a chance to read this, but I feel compelled to share my thoughts with you now...on my arrival home from your father's funeral.(z"l)
Although I never had the privelege of meeting your father I feel honored to have heard you and your siblings speak so beautifully about him. He sounds like an outstanding human being. Someone who has inspired so many in his lifetime.
What I want to tell you is that he has inspired me today. I listened to all the phenomenal middot that he possesed and truly hope to implement what ever I can in my life.
So, thank you, to you and your amazing family for sharing all your thoughts and feelings with me today.
Hamokom yenachem otchem b'toch shaar avlei tzion v'yerushalayim.
love,
cheryl
Ellie Cohen
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis and Zehava,
I am so saddened to hear about your father's passing. I know how much all of you loved and respected your Dad and what a profound influence he had on your lives. I know he will be sorely missed. You were so fortunate to have such a wonderful father and role model.
I wish I were there to share in your sorrow.
Hamakom yinachem etchem b'toch she'ar avlei tzion v'yerushalayim.
love,
Ellie
David Woolf
Unknown Date
We were saddened to hear about the passing of Phyllis's father a"h. Please pass on lour words of condolences "hamakom yenachem etchem b'toch shaar aveilei Tzion V'yerushalaim". May the mishpacha know only smachot and besurot tovot in the future.
Fran and David Woolf
Toronto/Chashmonaim
Lisa Wiener
Unknown Date
Dear Marsha. Elaine and Joel, Avi and Vicki, Lisa and Shmuel, Phyllis and Yossi, Zehava and Abba, Zalman and Stefanie,
It is very difficult for me to write this letter and yet I need to and I want to. The wonderful memories from so long ago until just a month ago are flooding my head and my heart.
Marsha, did we first meet in Camp Hili or in Far Rockaway when you lived on Neilson St. and we lived on Mott Ave.? The Camp Hili years all flow into one big blur – Jerry – boys H.C. and Hilly head of the waterfront. I remember you invited me to come to White Lake to do laundry with you, and then years later we laughed together that I wouldn’t come because I had to read my kids a book before they went to sleep and you needed to leave early. Those were such easy and carefree times. Only we didn't know it then. Our years of eating early meals together are etched in my memory – especially the summer when you were trying to wean Zalman off baby food and the first weeks he spent crying and throwing the food and you kept apologizing feeling so bad that he was disturbing others. Eventually he started eating. I remember one afternoon walking down to the lake for rest hour swim and seeing Jerry’s golf cart tumble over the side of the hill and Jerry ending up on the ground with his ankle bone sticking out like a broken chicken leg. Help was on the way but I continued down to the lake to talk to you ( you were watching your kids in the water) as if nothing happened, so you would not see Jerry’s leg or see him in pain. After a while you were called and went with him to the hospital.
Over the years, we have shared so much. Britot, child rearing issues, our kids going to school together, Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, children making Aliyah, grandchildren being born, Shabbos meals, and who could forget our trips to the East Side to indulge at Shmulka Bernsteins , where Jerry’s love for salami sandwiches was satisfied.
The years passed and then Zehava and Abba met and we shared that long dating process always hoping that it would all work out in the end. And so it did. Then we were not only friends, we were family.
Over the years Hilly developed a special relationship with Jerry. They shared so many common values- a love for learning Torah, and for layning the Torah, a very strong sense of right and wrong, of morality and ethics, of a modest life-style, and a passion for Eretz Yisrael. They always exchanged Divrei Torah and respected each other for the way they led their lives. It’s much easier for women to become close friends, but Hillel felt such a love for Jerry and he spoke about it often.
I remember visiting Jerry in the hospital in Far Rockaway when he had cellulites, and we all thought it was no big deal Then a year later, after all your plans were set and we were going to send you off with a big party, and we were so looking forward to coming out to the Five Towns for Shabbos , Hedy calls to say there will be no party. The sad, sad news hit us very hard. Jerry is really sick – just when it was time for the two of you to fulfill your dream – making Aliyah.
Despite all the difficulties, you went anyway – In between treatments and hospital visits you still managed to pack up and Jerry managed to throw away some of his “treasures”. You accomplished setting up your beautiful apartment in Yerushalayim. We are so happy that we had the opportunity to visit you and jerry in your apartment and spend time with you in Israel. Twice we ate out, just the four of us, and once with Sylvia and Mel, and Hedy and Heshie – long time friends from Far Rockaway in Israel together.
Our last dinner together is the one I will remember the most. Before we went out, Hilly drove to pick up Jerry because he said he wanted to come up to see our apartment. Jerry pushed himself to walk up two flights of steps with you and when he walked into the apartment, his face lit up and all he said was “Wow”. I will never forget the expression on his face for it showed very clearly how happy he was for us. That was Jerry - always happy and excited for the next guy, and even this time when he was suffering so much. And then he walked slowly and carefully down the steps.
We had a wonderful time and a delicious dinner in a restaurant on Emek Refaim. (Was it called “Joy”? ) Mostly Hilly and Jerry talked to each other and you and I talked. I thought Jerry was doing a little better from the last time we were together. Was I just trying to fool myself?
And then just a few days later we called you to find out how Jerry was doing and you told us that right after Shabbos you had to take him to the hospital; he developed an infection. Then the real torture began. The watching. The waiting . The nightly vigils.
We have lost a wonderful friend. Marsha, you have lost a most devoted and loving husband. And you, Jerry’s children, have lost an exceptional father – a perfect role model – a sweet and passionate man , steeped in Torah, with the finest middot and a deep, deep commitment to Eretz Yisrael.
Marsha, I’m sure Jerry was happy that he had the opportunity to make Aliyah, set up the apartment with you, and spend some time, even if it was too short and difficult, living in Israel.
Together you and Jerry have raised absolutely incredible children, KAH, who brought Jerry so much Nachas for the way they are living their lives. The devotion they all showed these last few weeks, taking turns, day and night, never leaving his side, is a tribute to Jerry and to them. I have to believe that he knew you were all there for him.
May you all find comfort in the wonderful memories you share and in the love you have for each other. We miss being there with you at this time.
Hamokom Yenachem Etchem Betoch Shior Avelei Tziyon V’Yerushalayim
Love,
Lisa
Roselle and Arthur Elfenbein
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis & Elaine,
So sorry to hear of your father's demise. We are sure you and the entire family will be comforted by your good memories. Please convey our thoughts to your mother.
Roselle & Arthur Elfenbein
(Faith and Mindy's parents)
Ben Leitner
Unknown Date
Dear Folks,
Please accept our sincerest sympathy on Rabbi Witkin's passing.
We were good friends for many years at the Bd. of Ed.
He was a great guy!
We share the sorrow of his passing with the family.
Sincerly,
Ben Leitner
Elisa and Chaim Wietschner
Unknown Date
We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Just wanted you to know we were thinking about you and your family.
Hamokem yenachem etchem btoch shaar avley tzion veyerushalayim...
Elisa and Chaim Wietschner
Aryeh Wiener
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis,
I really can't believe that the mainstay of the White Shul back bench, with the key tie clip, is gone. I will always remember your dad's joviality, and his pride in all of his kids as he would update my dad on all your doings. And of course there was the kitchen in Camp Morasha when I was a waiter. When he read the Torah he sang a very distinctive telisha gedolah which I picked up for a while.
What can be said? This was not the plan.
So, thinking about you and your family, and hope you find nehama in time. Hamakom yenahem et kulkhem betokh she'ar avelei Zion viyrushalayim.
Aryeh Wiener
Atara (Mednick) and Elliot Blumenthal
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis & Yossi, Mrs. Witkin, Elaine, Lisa, Avi, Zahava and Zalman and families,
On behalf of Elliot and myself we would like to tell you how sorry we were to hear of the loss of your father, and husband , Rabbi Jerome Witkin. I tried calling the apartment several times this week as I very much wanted to be Menachem Avel, and kept getting the voice mail. I have no doubt that there were many people that came to pay their condolences to your family. I left one message but wanted to at least reach out and let you know that we were thinking of all of you at this very difficult time.When Phyllis had emailed me several weeks ago, I was sad to receive the news that things had taken a turn for the worse. Your father was always in my thoughts for a Refuah Shlema. . I remember him from camp and how I used to see him working so hard in the dining room at Morasha. I remember him when I used to spend many Shabbosim in your house. I really enjoyed spending that time with your family. Your home was always so full of life and energy and always open to guests. Your father was such a nice man with such a soft and easygoing way about him and always with a smile. I am sure that he and your mother had such nachas from watching their beautiful family grow. May you only have good and easy times from now on. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Hamakom yenachem etchem btoch shear avlai tzion veYerushalayim.
Fondly, Atara (Mednick) and Elliot Blumenthal
Moshe Rosenberg
Unknown Date
Dear Phyllis,
Our deepest feelings of nechama for you and your family on the petirah of your magnificent father. I knew only one side of him, a mentschliche, upbeat, learned side that came to the fore on his visits to you and Etz Chaim. When you made aliyah, both you and he were so missed here. But now, the notices and condolences are circulating, and I see how little I knew of his multifaceted talents and accomplishments, to say nothing of his modesty. I mourn the man I knew, and the man I didn't.
B'virkat tanchumin,
Moshe
Joseph Milians
Unknown Date
We were sorry to hear of the p’tira of Rabbi Witkin z"l. Our family always enjoyed his friendship, and my father a"h and myself always enjoyed talking with him on the way home from shul or from the subway (not to mention his layening or davening). It was always nice to have people around who were energetic, nice, and caring about “all the right things”. He will be missed by us, as well as the tzibbur as a whole, besides the special family he left behind.
תנצנב"ה
Hamakom ynachem etchem btoch she’ar aveilei Tzion veYerushalayim.
Joseph Milians (for the family)
Marc Singer
Unknown Date
I am sorry to hear of your father's P'tirah.
As you know, I had the merit of knowing him 30+ years ago from my summer camp days.
May he serve as a meilitz yosher for all of his decendents, and may you be comforted by the flood of good memories now and in the forseeable future.
marc
Ezra and Adina Wiener
Unknown Date
Dear Witkin Family,
Adina and I would like to express our sincere wishes of nechama to the entire family on the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. We had been checking up on Rabbi Witkin's status quite often with my parents and it was painful to hear the struggles that the family had to endure right after the aliyah. When the gemara says that Eretz Yisrael is nikneit Beyisurin it was not referring to this level of yisurin.
When I was maavir sedra for this Shabbos I made a point to lain the pesukim like Rabbi Witkin-ending the pesukim as he did, which was slightly different than others as I'm sure you know. Even in my younger years I not only knew your father as a master Baal Koreh but someone who had a love for Eretz Yisrael. When Israel was facing difficult times as it often does, I recall his passionate words to my father about what our position on certain critical issues should be and there's no doubt that this part of his chinuch to his children brought so many of you to Israel.
As I got older, I remember your father so appreciating a dvar Torah that I would share with him. And I know that his love of Torah affected all of you.
But what I remember most is that your father was such a good friend of my father. They could talk for hours. Their friendship was based on a similar hashkafa-that in Yahadut we should focus our attention on the important issues-Torah, Eretz Yisrael , chinuch, and Am Yisrael and all the other things that people associate with frumkeit are just not important.
Rabbi Witkin will be missed. His teachings no doubt will remain with all of you for generations.
Hamakom Yenacheim Etchem Betoch Shear Aveilei Tzion Virushalayim.
Ezra and Adina Wiener
Chayim Yitzchok Witkin
Unknown Date
Dear Aunt Marsha and the entire Witkin Family,
I would like to relate an incident that happened to me yesterday. Just by "chance" Dr. Heshy Weissman, an eye doctor here in Monsey, davened minchah in my kollel. After minchah he asked me if I was related to Jerry Wiktin. I answered "Of course! He's my uncle." He told me the following story.
"I must tell you something so special about him. He was really such a good man. I grew up in Far Rockaway, across the street from Uncle Jerry. Later on, when us children got married and moved away, as my father aged he became physically unable to do the simple things he used to do. Unfortunately, my mother couldn't care for him either. Jerry Witkin came over every night to wash him up, change him and prepare him for sleep. Every time it snowed, Jerry would shovel a path for him. He cared for my father better than us!"
I would like to end with one more thought. Of my many fond memories of Uncle Jerry, what remains with me most is his middah of happiness. His broad smile and hearty chuckle made it always a pleasure to be around him and propelled you to be the same. Each and every one of you replicate this amazing trait of Uncle Jerry. Whatever the situation may be, you held up with happiness and serenity.
May it be a zechus for Uncle Jerry, all the beautiful fruits he left behind to follow in his footsteps. I apologize that I can't be with all of you in person, to comfort you on this irreplaceable loss.
Hamakom yenachem eschem besoch shaar aveilei tzion v'Yerushalayim.
Chayim Yitzchok Witkin
Mimi & Danny
Unknown Date
Hi Marsha,
Every time I want to call you I forget the time change and I am afraid it is too late to call. We were in the White Shul for the Hazkara for Jerry last night and I wanted to touch base with you. There were a lot of people, as I am sure the kids told you. Each one spoke beautifully. - Joel was superb, Zahava - what can we say - Zehava was Zehava - she spoke with such emotion and feeling and kept looking over the bench where Jerry used to sit. Abba, a newcomer to the family was terrific. He really described Jerry to a Tee. Your sister-in-law spoke very nicely and Rabbi Pelcowitz was excellent - his analogy was just on the mark. Shimmy ended the Hazkara with the recitation of T'hillim.
Jerry probably would have said - what is all this fuss about. And we would answer that there are a lot of people whose lives he touched and they wanted to be there to express their Nechama and be there to participate in a service in memory of a dear, dear friend. He will be missed.
We look forward to seeing you when you come into New York - I am sure we will speak before Pesach.
Love,
Mimi & Danny
Ahuva Willig
Unknown Date
HI Zehava,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Knowing what great children he has, he was surely a very special person.
Hamakom Yenachem Eschem Bsoch Shaarei Aveilei Tzion V'Yerushalayim
Ahuva
Aviva Akerib
Unknown Date
Dear Zehava, There are really no words to express how we are all feeling right now. I tried calling you at your mothers, but I got a machine. We all loved Uncle Jerry so much. I want you to know that I feel your pain, and Im sorry we could not be there with you during the week of shiva. I am sending you out a big hug. Did you get it? Please take care of yourself. Hope your baby girl, Sarah Leah is doing well. She is K''H, adorable! I hope we will only see one another for Simchas, I''H. Could you please tell me your brothers and sisters e-mail addresses. I really appreciate it... whenever you can. Love from all of us...May Hashem give you lots of strength, chizuk and loads of nachas and good health. Love you...your cousin and friend, Aviva Akerib.
Rabbi Yisroel Benedek
Unknown Date
I knew and remembered Rabbi Jerrry Witkin when I was interviewed for admission into Yeshiva College in 1968. He was a mentor when I was Executive Director at The White Shul for 3 1/2 years recently, and he was a major supporter of mine.
I will always remember him as a passionately caring and considerate man.
Y'hi Zichro Baruch.
Rabbi Yisroel Benedek
Michal
Unknown Date
Dear Zehava
I am SO SORRY! how tragic and difficult this is for you. I close my eyes and remember with such clarity your father's utter and complete simcha at your wedding. I am sure he also had so much nachat from your Sara Leah- she is a true gift and is so unbelievably adorable- she is a great vehicle to bring simcha and humor into any difficult situation. Must be comforting to have here there with you!
Zahava- its so painful and surreal (nightmarish) now for you- i daven that the sting of the pain lessens and is replaced with the good happy memories that you shared with your father during all these years. May all the beautiful maasim that you always do, serve to elevate his holy neshama...and he should always be a mailitz yosher for you and your family and klal yisrael in these troubled times!
Hamakom yenachem etchem betoch avelei tzion yerushalayim uveyerushalyim tinanchamu...
Thinking of you sooooo much and wishing you a peaceful, comforting and healing shabbos together with your family in your favorite place in the world.
Shabbat shalom,
Michal
Myron Edelman
Unknown Date
Hello Zalman and Stephanie
I became aware of the untimely passing of your beloved father, Jerry, only a few days ago. It was my great privilege to have known him for 15 years. I enjoyed every moment and every conversation I had with him. He was a pleasure to deal with on both a business and personal level. His love is Eretz Yisrael was only exceeded by his love for his family. He set a great example for me and for so many others. I was pleased that he finally made aliyah to our true home. His loss is profoundly felt. May you find strength and comfort from his memory.
Fondly,
Myron
Atara Blumenthal
Unknown Date
Phyllis- hope you and your family are doing okay. Estee and I attended the Azkara for your father this past Monday night. As I am sure you were told the turnout was tremendous. People from the community as well as from far came to pay tribute to your Dad. You had many friendd there as well. It was so nice to hear everyone speak of his so many wonderful qualities. It was also so touching to hear how he loved you all so much and how you and your siblings were there by his side and did the Mitzva of Kibud av vaim tremendously until the very end. Zahava also spoke so well although I am sure it must have been very difficult for her.
I wanted to also thank you for passing along the Hesped you gave at the funeral. You always were an amazing speaker and writer and your words and memories of your father were truly touching.
May you continue to be comforted by Hashem and your family and friends around you. I hope to continue to stay in touch with you. Have a good Pesach.
Love, Atara
Cliff Erber
Unknown Date
Hi Zehava,
Strange having to reach out to you after all these years like this but I have to tell you that my father always had a deep admiration and love for your dad and it certainly passed on to me. I really have those same feelings for him. All those years in the back row and watching the way he conducted himself and davened was really an influence that has been with me all these years. I don't think he's ever truly forgiven me for switching to watching the mets but our few minutes of catching up with each other each time we met was really special. I'll miss him.
I'm sorry that I had to run after I heard you speak, which by the way was beautiful. Unfortunately, a Rabbi I learn with had a shloshim for his 9 year old son at the same time.
I hope you only find comfort and simcha in the future. It was nice to see you after all these years in spite of the circumstance and please know that your dad is in many of our hearts.
Be well
Cliff
Sharon Pressner
Unknown Date
Hi Phyllis,
I heard about your father and wanted to send you and your family my condolences. I hope all else is well.
Sharon
Elana Silber
Unknown Date
Phyllis,
I am so sorry. I had no idea your father passed away until I saw this message. I have great memories of your Dad from our fun summers at Morasha and Simchat Torah Yom Tovim. I always felt so comfortable with and welcomed by your family. Please forward my condolences to your Mom and your siblings. Hamakom Yenachem Etchem B’toch Shar Avlei Tzion V’yerushalyim.
Warmest regards,
Elana
Shirley & Shimi Storch
Unknown Date
Tried calling either it was busy, so I finally left a message. We were so sorry to hear the news about Jerry. I'm sure we don't have to tell you how we felt about him. What a wonderful, funny, loving husband you had. We spent alot of good times with both of you and will always have all those wonderful memories.
May you and your loving family only know from simchas from here on in.
All our best,
SHIRLEY & SHIMI
Sue & Jeffrey Rosenberg
Unknown Date
Dear Marsha,
Our condolences to you and your entire family.
Jerry, A"H, will be sorely missed by both of us as well as many others whose lives he touched in so many positive ways.
May his neshoma be a mailitz yashar for all.
HaMokom yenachem eschem b'soch sha'ar aveilei tzion v'yerushalayim.
With all our love,
Sue & Jeffrey Rosenberg
Michele
Unknown Date
Dear Marsha,
Alan and I were tremendously saddened to hear about Jerry. It was a pleasure to be in his company and I always enjoyed our verbal jousts. I appreciated his affable nature and upbeat attitude. I admired his honesty and lack of pretension. I observed how he treated all who crossed his path with respect, the mark of a genuinely religious person.
You are a person of great strength and resourcefulness. It is my hope that those attributes coupled with the support of your beautiful family will serve you well.
May you and your family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Fondly,
Michele
Dan & Joan Frucher
Unknown Date
Dear Marsha:
It must be quite bewildering to be sitting Shiva in Yerushalaim for Jerry so soon after having made Aliyah with him this past summer. Thank G-d you have so much of your family there with you to lend you their love and support.
Ever since I learned of Jerry’s condition, I have been praying for him daily to have a Refuah Shlaimah. About 2 weeks or so ago when I learned he was on the Respirator, I began to pray that H’shem would not let him suffer. Joan and I prayed for the best but we also started to prepare for the worst..
Well, the worst has now happened and now we have to prepare for the best that we can manage as we continue for the rest of our lives without him. It will not be easy and we are not quite sure how to do this. What we do know, however, is that his suffering is now over and he is now in a better place
As you know, Jerry and I go back as boyhood friends, as room-mates at MTA and YU. He was my Best Man at our wedding and we continued our close friendship into our married years as parents and grandparents.
The one thing we will always have is our memories. That we can, and will, always remain with us. You, of course will have that many more memories as only a wife and a husband can. You also have your children and grandchildren as a living continuation of his life. His essence and his DNA are a real part of every cell in their bodies and it is in this way that he continues to live.
Joan and I were somewhat comforted that we had the opportunity to see him at the hospital and at home when we came to visit him this past November. Now we are comforted with the knowledge that we will see you sometime, after Pesach, when we can reminisce over our Jerry memories and thus pay tribute to a wonderful and special friend, husband and father.
Please stay well, dear Marsha. May you be consoled among the mourners of Zion and may you know of no more sorrows. Love. Dan & Joan
Michael Altman
Unknown Date
Subject: So Sorry
Phyllis, I am so sorry to have heard about your loss. As I am sure you can guess, since most of what I know about your father is based upon what Lisa had to say, I thought very highly of him. He always struck me me as a nice and learned man; Lisa confirmed that my impressions were correct, but that he was so much more. I am very sorry for your loss and look forward to being in touch for good things.
Michael
Ellen Terry Wald
Unknown Date
This is to express my heartfelt wishes to you and your family on the passing of the beloved Rabbi Jerome Witkin of blessed memory. May you be joined by the other mourners on Mt. Zion.
Avraham Mehlman
Unknown Date
Dear Mrs. Witkin and the entire Witkin Family,
It has been a few weeks since the petirah of Rabbi Witkin, and I just wanted to take a few moments of your time to reflect on my relationship with Rabbi Witkin and the type of special person he was. Rabbi Witkin, or Jerry, as he was referred to in my home, was a lifetime friend of my father, and although he was much older than me, we formed a very interesting bound. Firstly, he was the man to talk to regarding any question when it came to kriah. He was by far the best Baal Korah that I ever had the privilege to hear. I remember the few times he lained the megilah at my father's shul, there was nobody that could even come close to his laining. I also had the privilege of seeing him on an almost weekly basis, while I worked in downtown Brooklyn, as he often visited the Board of Education, which was around the corner from the DA's office. He always greeted me with a smile, and those Buddy Holly glasses. I always kidded him about his lunch which was always the same--salami on white bread, with mustard, which was always tucked away in a plastic baggie in his suit pocket. And then we spoke about the Rav--how he loved to tell me stories of his time learning with the Rav. How he loved to discuss the Rav's Torah. It was during these conversations, that I realizes that not only was he a great Baal Korah but he was a true Talmid Chocham, who not only enjoyed learning but knew how to learn.
We also always spoke about Eretz Yisroel, and how he was always waiting for that day when he would make aliyah. It is as if he was waiting to move for many years, and he was just counting the time till he would live his dream and join his loving family in Israel. Although his time in Israel was not as long as he envisioned, he was zocheh to make aliyah and live out his life in Eretz Hakodoshah.
I know there is very little to say to comfort a family in mourning, especially one that mourns such a unique and special person. But as much as his loss hit my family hard, especially my father, Rabbi Witkin's smile, fervent personality, love for learning will always be a part of my life and in my heart.
May you and your family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may Rabbi Witkin's memory be a blessing for your family and and all of Klal Yisroel.
Fondly,
Avraham Mehlman
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