‘A beacon of light to so many’
"Whoever knew our president for so many loyal years, knew what commitment, integrity, passion and kindness meant," Fogel shared.
Long serving Rosh Hakohol (president) of Adass Israel Congregation Benjamin Koppel passed away in the USA over the weekend.
Koppel was buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and members of the Adass community have come forward to offer their condolences.
Adass community stalwart Shlomo Abelesz told The AJN that Koppel was involved with the Adass Kashrus organisation and shechitah for over 20 years.
“He helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Adass community and schools … he was personally very charitable and supported many causes,” said Abelesz.
He also described the ways in which Koppel and his wife Sarah “had an open house and hosted many families and individuals for Shabbos meals, nothing was too much for them”.
“He had excellent relationships with state, federal and local government politicians who often visited him at his home. He used these connections to help [an] untold number of people when they had problems,” said Abelesz.
Koppel was for many years a Jewish chaplain to prisons and “did whatever he could to accomodate the needs of Jewish prisoners”, Abelesz shared.
Member of the Adass community since birth Raizel Fogel said, “The passing of our stalwart the late Yomi Koppel OBM has left our congregation reeling in loss.
“Whoever knew our president for so many loyal years, knew what commitment, integrity, passion and kindness meant,” Fogel shared.
She described the Koppel family as “a beacon of light to so many”.
“We are with them in our pain and his memory will continue to be a blessing within the shule walls forever.”
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