Somehow despite his seriousness, what with his sophisticated scientific and Judaic knowledge Irving Feldman always had a smile or a laugh on his face. It may have stemmed from a slightly cynical appreciation for irony, but it made you smile, or laugh, just the same.
Of his scientific credentials we are not qualified to speak, but the State of Israel thought highly enough of them to put Irving Feldman to work on some important intelligence missions. Of his Judaic credentials, everyone, really, is qualified to speak, since his main credential was his passion, his caring, his focus, his unrelenting involvement in Jewish study and teaching.
Until almost the week of his death at age 92, he was teaching and talking of plans for increased attention to Tanach, to Hebrew Scripture. At various points in his life he taught his grandchildren and other peoples children. He certainly didnt do this for the money; he did it because he loved the Torah and wanted to do his utmost to make certain it was passed down.
He went into the trenches the afternoon Hebrew school of the 1950s. If ever there were an inhospitable climate for generating a love for Torah, this was it. But Irving Feldman was there, yes, laughing along with students whose laughter was of a very different nature a laughter of ridicule or rejection but he did not allow the apathy of his students to overcome him. Quite the contrary. He turned their laughter to attentiveness, striving to communicate the beauties of Hebrew scripture to children far removed from them.
With discipline and persistence, here and there he touched a soul, piqued a bit of curiosity, taught a touch of Torah, improved Hebrew reading and inspired the journey to improve it still more. Though he was fighting against the odds, his own clear commitment, tied to his non-dogmatic style, managed to convey the majesty of what clearly moved him his entire, blessedly long life.
For that, and for his later efforts to implant the love of the study of Tanach in days schools and wider lay circles, we are greatful. Not to mention his precision and melodiousness in the chanting of the Torah, which he has passed down to his sons.
It is people like Irving Feldman who give a Jewish community depth and meaning. We are grateful for his presence here for so many decades. He is sorely missed.
