Speech by Charles Saka

I want to thank the Labaton family, for giving me the chance to speak about our beloved Rabbi Labaton A”H. It is very difficult to speak about someone who I loved very much and learned a lot from.
Rabbi Labaton was a giant and our synagogue lost its crown.

In August 1982, Rabbi Ezra Labaton became the spiritual leader of Congregation Magen David of West Deal.
From Day one, Rabbi Labaton jumped into action. Making sure we had a daily minyan, organizing classes, encouraging and inspiring people to come to shul. He focused on the youth and worked on developing them as future leaders.

Who could forget our old building, as soon as you walked in, the Rabbi’s office was to the right, full of books, papers and his children’s artwork. This was where he loved to spend his time.
In that building, we shared many experiences, celebrated many semachot and grew into a community.

We spent many hours praying, learning, socializing and having fun. We even played some softball and ping pong together. Those were the days. Rabbi Labaton encouraged not only the men, but the women to get involved as well. They planned many events and sebits and cooked many delicious meals in our old kitchen.

Rabbi Labaton introduced all of us to a whole new world. He and his wife Emily organized Yom Haatzmaut programs and Holocaust memorial programs. They opened our minds to the plight of Jews around the world. Including Ethiopia, Soviet Jewry and our own brothers in Syria being held captive. He involved us in acts of chesed, which we never knew even existed.

He involved us in political activism, by inviting various politicians to our synagogue as well as organizing trips to Washington DC to support various causes. Including, support for the State of Israel and to rally for the rescue of Syrian Jews.

Many marriages were born out of the famous BBQ’s hosted by our young shul. The Rabbi encouraged these social events. He was very supportive when we established The Deal Sephardic Youth Center on the grounds of our Synagogue.

The years passed quickly. Our small congregation grew under the Rabbi’s leadership. Many people moved to the West Deal area because of Rabbi Labaton. In June 1992, we opened the doors of our existing synagogue building. Rabbi Labaton’s commitment became even stronger with more responsibilities and an even larger congregation.

One of the many things the Rabbi taught us was Veahavta Lereicha Camocha. Love your neighbor as yourself. He taught us to care for every single Jew, no matter who you are and to have respect for all fellow man. He taught by example. By, visiting the sick, hosting Yachad shabbatons for children with special needs, helping people find jobs, and even calling the elderly on their birthdays. The Rabbi loved hosting the senior citizen day in our synagogue. He was also instrumental in creating many shiduchim.

He established a chesed fund, which has helped many individuals and organizations. He helped us raise money to send a Sefer Torah to Croatia. The first one since the holocaust. We sponsored a Magen David Adom ambulance to help Israel. We raised funds for the victims of terrorism. Rabbi Labaton opened our eyes to the needs of Jews around the world.

The Rabbi inspired us with his energy and excitement to anything he was teaching. He taught us about the idea of Tzelem Elochim. That every person is created in the image of Hashem. The Rabbi loved quoting the Rambam and Rabbi Solevetichik, as well as many other sources. He taught daily classes in our synagogue, in addition to his famous Shabbat derashot. He would travel to our offices in Edison, NJ as well as all the way to NYC to other offices to teach classes. He taught many couples classes both here and in Brooklyn. He was a vibrant teacher at Hillel Yeshiva for over 25 years. Teaching Chumash, Navi and Jewish philosophy. With his unique teaching style, his classes inspired everyone to want to learn more and to think for themselves. He was motivating, inspiring and dynamic.

Together with our community youth, he founded Young Magen David. They would have many programs for the kids, spearheaded by the Rabbi. One of his favorite activities, was planning and attending the YMD seminars and Shabbatons. Both here in the shul and other locations. The Rabbi loved to develop personal relationships with each student by teaching them informally while having fun at the same time. He loved going with The Hillel Yeshiva students to the Israeli Day parade. He and Emily were very instrumental in making this part of our Yeshiva.

Along with all his teaching and youth leadership, his door was always open. People would come to him for advice on marital issues, business arguments and family problems. He counseled many community members with drug and alcohol addictions. He helped people not only from our congregation but throughout the entire community.

The Rabbi was a great listener and always gave you as much time as you needed. People always felt comfortable opening up to him and had a special way of dealing with people. Everybody felt comfortable speaking to Rabbi Labaton. He always made you feel important, and he let you know it.

The Rabbi’s dedication to his congregants was unparalleled. He officiated at many community weddings, brisses and bar mitzvahs. Even, when the circumstances were challenging. He even officiated a wedding in a hospital for one of our congregants, because the grooms father was too sick to attend. He’s travelled to Vermont, Florida and Israel to celebrate together with the semachot of our congregants.

We celebrated the synagogues 25th anniversary together with a lavish sebit and beautiful journal in honor of Rabbi Labaton. The inscription on the plaque read:

“To our dear Rabbi Labaton
Just as the crown of Aram Soba was the measure of all Sifrei Torah of the community, you are the measure by which we appraise our deeds.
You engage our minds, warm our hearts and comfort our souls and we are eternally grateful.
With Love,
Congregation Magen David of West Deal
August 24, 2002”

The Rabbi was a warrior. He would never stop. He gave the shul and it’s congregants his all. He was 24/7.
The shul was only 2nd to his family. Even during his illness, the Rabbi never missed a day. Even when he had heavy treatments, he was always back the next morning. He was one of the most courageous people I ever knew. Who would ever think to run 5 miles a night with his condition!

The Rabbi was always thanking Hashem. He would never take life for granted and would always cherish every moment. During an incoming storm, the Rabbi would often times go to the beach and watch the waves and be in awe of the power of G-d. He would think to himself Ma Rabu Maasecha Hashem. How great are Your creations Hashem. He loved nature and science and enjoyed studying these areas in order to increase his faith in Hashem.

The Rabbi was so happy when there was another need for expansion. With our new Bet Midrash, our classes and learning have expanded. How happy he was to see the senior citizens playing cards in The Sephardic Social Center on a daily basis. Knowing that they enjoyed coming and gave them something to do with their days. It gave him pleasure to see his mom coming to enjoy the building as well.
This past summer, we dedicated a Sefer Torah in honor of Rabbi Labaton. He actually helped design the beautiful case. What a momentous occasion this was. The Rabbi was touched by this event and it was something we will always remember.

On a personal level, the Rabbi was one of my closest friends. We loved to talk about Torah, community, sports and the news. The Rabbi was a big NY Yankee fan and could quote any statistic. We enjoyed going to a few games together.

There are no words to describe the impact the Rabbi has had on me and my entire family. He was there for us for everything. From the big things to the small. And always with a smile. He helped shape my children’s lives into the people they are today.

On behalf of the Synagogue and our entire community, I want to give our sincere condolences to Mrs. Doris Labaton, Rabbi Labaton’s mom. And to his sister’s Mrs. Sari Hedaya and Mrs. Robin Levenson.
I would also like to mention Mr. Alfred Labaton A”H, the Rabbi’s father, whom he often spoke about and missed very much.

To Mrs. Emily Labaton, there are no words to describe this loss. May Hashem give you the strength to carry on and continue the work that you do. Thank you for always being there for our congregation. Playing a large role teaching the women and planning all the meaningful programs. Having you by the Rabbi’s side has enabled us to grow into the congregation we are today. Thank you.
To Sara and Gabi, Ovadia, Deborah and Mika, and Mordechai.

You should see no more sorrow and only celebrate semachot. Thank you for sharing your father with us. He loved you all so very much. And was very proud of each one of you.
Before I conclude, I would like to read you something written by Rabbi Labaton in our synagogue’s 25th anniversary journal.

Reflections

By: Rabbi Ezra Labaton

“ Dear Congregation,
I never dreamed of serving such a caring synagogue.
I never dreamed of meeting so many fine people.
I never dreamed of finding so many friends amongst a congregation of friends.
I never dreamed that a Rabbi could lead a life that is so meaningful and spiritually uplifting.
Yet dreams come true. Boreh Olam has led me to a caring synagogue, a synagogue that houses fine people, a synagogue that takes friendship seriously, a synagogue that has profound understanding of the concept of tselem elokim and seeks to implement that understanding ben adam lahavero.”

Rabbi, we will continue to follow in your ways of Torah Study and your commitment to loving our fellow man. We will all miss you dearly. Your legacy will live on forever.
Tehi Nishmato Tzerura Bisror Achaim