It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Reb Avi Shulman z”l.
Reb Avi was one of the great mechanchim of our time, a visionary educator who not only instilled timeless values in generations of students, but taught thousands of mechanchim and mechanchos how to do the same.
All his life, he insisted on being called “Mr. Shulman,” fleeing from honor and accolades.
A resident of Monsey, NY, he was one of the founders of Torah Umesorah’s Project Seed, an accomplished author, and a longtime columnist in Yated Ne’eman.
For decades, he devoted himself to helping others – educators, students, anyone.
Reb Avi was astute, understanding, passionate, and always eloquent. He coached others to see beauty in themselves and the beauty in others. He showed people how to make the most of their abilities and use those talents to inspire others.
His oratory skills were remarkable, and he famously taught public speaking for years, conveying the secrets and tools of being an effective communicator.
Before it became a household word, Reb Avi was a life coach, teaching thousands of people to articulate their goals – and to reach them.
Before it became a household word, Reb Avi was building self-esteem, showing thousands of people how to appreciate others – and themselves.
With his lectures and classes, his tapes and his books, Reb Avi – master teacher, writer, and dispenser of wisdom and practical guidance – became something of a household word himself. He was there for thousands of people, helping them navigate the increasingly complicated highways and byways of today’s world with his intelligent advice and with the clear vision that went straight to the heart of a problem and found the most sensible solution.
His books include Thoughts to Build On, Candelight, Making Little Things Count and Big Things Better, Speak Up, and Living Life to its Fullest.
Reb Avi is survived by an outstanding family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, noted marbitzei Torah and baalei chesed who are pillars of their respective communities.
His levayah will be held at 10 a.m. today at Khal Mikdash Dovid, located at 2 Hilltop Lane in Monsey, NY. The aron will then be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there. To listen to the levayah, call 712.775.8981, code 721810. WATCH THE LEVAYAH LIVE HERE.
Yehi zichro boruch.
Watch Reb Avi speaking at a Torah Umesorah convention:
Photos (c) Flash 87 Images:
{Matzav.com}
Very sad what’s happening today.
Who remembers his ”Potching machine” when he was our first grade Rebbe in YSV? (Mind you, I don’t think he ever touched a Talmid)
A rebbe’s rebbe
Yehi zichro Boruch.
HaRav (Mr.) Avi Shulman ztvk”l, credited, in an article he wrote memorializing HaRav Gavriel Ginzburg ztzvk”l, HaRav Meir Belsky ztzvk”l and HaRav Gavriel for planting the seeds for Project SEED.
After Rabbi Belsky, former Director of Torah u’Mesorah, President of Kollel Gur Aryeh, Rav of Young Israel of Bedford bay, founding Rosh Yeshivah of the Yeshivah of the South (Memphis, TN), and later Rosh HaYeshivah of Mesivta Yosef Chaim v’Shalom and Beis Medrash and Kollel Tiferes Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and author of the six-volume Citadel and Tower, brought 20+ bochrim from Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin in ’64 to Memphis, TN to introduce the community to “full-time” learning and to “kick-off” the new Beis Medrash, HaRav Ginzburg called Rabbi Shulman and told him to develop this idea. Thus Project SEED took root.
Boruch Dayan HaEmes.
I had the privilege of attend Rabbi Schulman’s courses on public speaking during my classes at the Merkaz for Teacher Training in Boro Park over 20 years ago. His personality, his insights, and his wisdom were amazing and remain with me till today.
I attended his public speaking classes 34 years ago:- Always keep them short & to the point, was repeated at each & every single class.
Never quote a פסוק by heart:- Always have the text in front of you.