Rabbi Bernard Neuman - Remembering Rabbi Berel Wein zt"l

I am honored to be asked to speak about my long-time friend and fellow student, Berel Wein, ע''ה. Many years have passed and memories fade. But, somehow, we always remained in contact over the years.

I met Berel almost eighty years ago, when he started attending HTC in seventh grade. We went through high school and Roosevelt College together. We got a ride downtown with our fellow student, Aaron Reifer, in his jeep. I remember that the jeep, with its canvas sides, was very cold in winter.

I maintained close contact with Berel’s parents after he married and left the city. Rabbi Zev Wein and his Rebbetzin hosted me every Shabbos when I was hired by Kesser Maariv to lead the youth minyan.

Over those few years we became close friends. Over the years, Berel and I would meet occasionally in Israel or in Chicago. The last time was several years ago when we hosted Beryl at our home for Shabbos. He was the guest lecturer at the Yeshiva.

The Jewish world has lost much in Berel’s passing. Fortunately, he has left a treasure for the generations — his writings, his beautiful publications of Jewish history, both for adults and for children, his animated films of Gedolim, all are part of his priceless legacy. Berel’s versatility in so many things is unusual. He will be missed. יהי זכרו ברוך