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RABBI WILLIAM FIERVERKER

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City College of New York

FUNERAL HOME

Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Funeral Directors, Inc. - Philadelphia

6410 N Broad St.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WILLIAM FIERVERKER Obituary

FIERVERKER
RABBI WILLIAM, August 27, 2013. Husband of Sarann (nee Snow); father of Miriam (David) Bavati and Naomi Fierverker and Rachel Fierverker; grand-father of Jennifer Bavati, Molly and Rebecca Weinberg. He was the son of the late Nathan and Rose Fierverker; brother of the late Isadore, Harry and Irene Fierverker. He was Rabbi of Cong. Beth El of Yardley PA, formerly of Levittown PA, for over 36 years until retiring in 1991. He was a graduate of Mesifta Torah Vo'daath Yeshiva and of City College of New York.
Relatives and friends are invited to Funeral Services Wednesday, 1 P.M. precisely, GOLDSTEINS' ROSENBERG'S RAPHAEL SACKS SUBURBAN NORTH, 310 Second St. Pike, Southampton. Int. King David Memorial Park. Shiva will be observed at his late residence. Contributions in his memory may be made to Mesifta Torah Vo'daath Yeshiva, c/o Rabbi Meir Deitel, 1450 53rd St., Brooklyn NY 11219.

www.goldsteinsfuneral.com

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Aug. 28, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM FIERVERKER

Sponsored by anonymous.

19 Entries

Brian P

August 16, 2017

He was a good man. Friendly and good

John Barrett

May 9, 2017

Rabbi took me in as a son when most Neighbors kept clear of the Barrett kids due to being from a divorced family ( a forbidden act ??) He gave me a Yamaka and insisted I come to the Sukkah booths where Jewish families eat their meals in the backyard of their Valentine Lane , Levittown Pa home to partake in the feast of Sukkot holiday/ Thanks , John B Barrett jbbarrettnc aol

Sally Gerber

April 10, 2017

In response to Debbie Aronoff re Rabbi Fierverker....we were his neighbors in Levittown Pa from 1955-1995....on last visit to Levittown daughter Naomi was still residing at the family residence....Sarann his wife was at Greenwood House in Trenton, NJ...
Sally Gerbe
contact if needed...

Robert Aronowitz

January 21, 2014

Dear Family Members, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Rabbi Fierverker. The Rabbi was a dear friend of my mother and father,Samuel & Sara Aronowitz. I was Bar Mitzvad'd by the Rabbi and my wife Carol & I were also married by the Rabbi. I consider the Rabbi one of the most influential people in my life and I will always thoughtfully cherish my memories of his wisdom , his quiet, earnest passion and his kindheartedness. I am sure his passing is such a loss to you all, but please take comfort in that he made quite a remarkably good difference to peole such as myself in this world. With our deepest sympathy ,,,,Bob & Carol Aronowitz

Ilene Barish- Bain

October 27, 2013

Rabbi was adored by both me and my sister. We were sad to hear the news today of Rabbi's passing. I can remember growing up and him always being there. Rabbi, you will always be remembered as a great man.

Dana Warren

September 14, 2013

I grew up down the street from him and was friends with all of his daughters. It was a great privelege to be welcomed into his home; I learned a great deal about Jewish faith and history. Rest in peace, Rabbi.

Michele Lupowitz

September 7, 2013

Rabbi was a true mensch, a man worthy of the respect and love he earned. It was a privilege to grow up with him as our teacher and inspiration, his words and ideas still affecting my thinking and choices today. He was always a powerful voice of morality and reason, and I am grateful to have had him in my life and my family's life.

Eileen and Elliot Berkman

September 1, 2013

When my husband and I felt we needed another synagogue that would incorporate
our children as well as our need for more tradition, we considered Beth El.
This was a difficult decision as my
parents were very involved in another
synagogue. However, my father realized
we needed something more. When we told
him we were considering Beth El, he said, "that's Rabbi Fierverker's shul----Go"! We did. He had a special way of
teaching and introduced us to the great
Rabbonim through their words and teachings and made us want to learn more. And we did. He had a special way with the children by encouraging them, speaking softly to them and just
loving them sincerely. And they knew it and returned the love. He will be so deeply missed, but how fortunate we
were to know him, to learn from him and
to be able to consider him not only our
Rabbi, but our friend as well. To Mrs.
Fierverker, Miriam, Naomi, Rachel and all the family---thank you for sharing
Rabbi with us. May you be comforted.
From the Berkman Famly

Joseph Alexander

August 30, 2013

How sorry I was to hear of Rabbi Fierverker's passing. He was a truly knowledgeable, learned, warmhearted and caring man -- an outstanding leader, neighbor and friend. When my family moved to Yardley from Trenton over 40 years ago, we were so pleased to find a welcoming and hospitable community at Beth El, and Rabbi Fierverker was a big part of that. As a boy growing up, I have many fond memories of Rabbi's insightful divrei Torah on Shabbat, the silver pushke in his study at shul, into which we placed tzedakkah money for his discretionary fund after selling the chametz before Pessah, and even the way he would sing Broadway show tunes to himself in shul on Friday, before the congregation arrived for evening services; he had a beautiful voice!

As I became bar mitzvah and involved with USY throughout my high school years, I grew to appreciate Rabbi's traditional education in Jewish sources and his way of relating classic texts and commentaries to the issues of the day.

To Sarann, Miriam, Naomi, Rachel and the entire family: Hamakom yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yerushalayim.

Wendy Buettler RN

August 29, 2013

I was so sad to hear today that Rabbi had passed away. I did not realize how close we were to the end of his beautiful life. He touched many lives and his memory will live on. I was blessed to have spent some time with him and he was a good man.

Gretchen Jordan (Gerber)

August 29, 2013

MY condolensces to Sarann, Miriam, Naomi and Rachel. We grew up with the family and have many good memories. We learned about their faith and were always welcome in their family. Rabbi was a very nice and considerate man.

Jerry Shinfeld

August 29, 2013

He was my first Rabbi and I always remember him fondly. I would see him in the neighborhood as well and he was so friendly and caring. As a young boy, it meant a lot. Rest in peace Rabbi, knowing you did so much for so many.

Babette Rinis

August 28, 2013

I will always remember Rabbi Fierverker who meant so much to me growing up and who presided at my wedding 45 years ago.
Babette Bacharach Rinis daughter of Albert & Toba Bacharach

August 28, 2013

What fond and wonderful memories I have of Rabbi Fierverker. He always made me feel welcome and part of the family. My condolences to everyone.
Rebecca 'Becky Bara" Darrow

Karl Gerber

August 28, 2013

Sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Debbie Moskovitz Nathan

August 28, 2013

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Rabbi Fierverker. He was a special human being, both on and off the bima. Though it has been many years since I lived in Levittown, I still consider him "my Rabbi". His wisdom, his sense of humor, and his warmth helped to build a vibrant shul community which played a very large role in our family. He was there for our family in joy and in sorrow, and I very fondly remember visiting with Rabbi and his family when I went to Israel for the first time in 1970. My sympathies to his family and may his memory be a blessing.

Sally & Walt (Moe ) Gerber

August 28, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sarann and the girls...we were backyard neighbors for 40 years, our children grew up and played together.."Moe" put up many Succah's with the Rabbi and did alot of Sarann's "honeydo" jobs .., we know how handy Rabbi was.. many fond memories
Peace and Love to the family at this sad time.

Louise Stark

August 28, 2013

My parents knew Rabbi Fierverker from whenever it was that their small group of Jews formed Beth El in Levittown in the early to mid 1950's. Thus I knew him all of my life, being in that first generation of lucky children born into Congregation Beth El. He was a friendly figure off the bima, and often on, but also imposing to a small child. My childhood weekends and holidays were defined by seeing Rabbi, along with Mr. (Al) Gans and Mr. (Andy) Flager, running services (of course I never called them by their first names, but we're a few generations on by now). As I got older I made a true effort to pay attention during sermons but I confess to daydreaming a lot at that point. But I heard plenty, enough to recall that Rabbi's sermons taught us of history and Judaism through each week's Torah portion, or holiday's meaning. No matter the occasion his sermons consistently demanded that we keep striving to be better Jews and better human beings, reminding us somewhat sternly of our failings, but not without humor. Rabbi was quick to invite children at the service to participate He would indulge the inevitable delays and by-plays that sometimes occurred during a service and then get things back on track.
Rabbi obviously loved the world of the mind, and his voice, cadence and delivery were made for public speaking, as well as his careful crafting of the words he used, something I've always appreciated and still care about. Rabbi was our Hebrew school teacher in the year leading up to our confirmation, allowing a closer glimpse. My personal fondness and gratitude to Rabbi Fierverker grew even more when in 2000, well after he had retired, he honored my mother's request that he participate in my father's graveside funeral service. Rabbi gave a personal and beautiful eulogy, addressing reminiscences largely to "my old friend Philip" one last time, and breaking my heart even more than I thought it already had been broken. The comfort came not only from the words he so skillfully put together but from the fact that he truly knew my father. I wish that i could be there to honor his full and admirable life. I will be thinking of him and his family, remembering how the Beth El community got my family through the death of both of my parents, and how much losing a parent hurts in any circumstance. I hope for comfort and peace to Rabbi's family.

Louise Stark
formerly Levittown, PA
Phoenix, Az

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