Juli and Rafi David z”l

Juli and Rafi David

Rafi and Juli David, of blessed memory, were long-standing members of the Carlebach Shul and deeply involved in the Upper West Side Jewish community. Rafi was an avid ba’al tefilah who often led services, and his melodic voice never failed to bring the congregation to song. Juli had her Bat Mitzvah at the shul and had been involved in the community for many years, contributing her time and efforts to help those in need. 

Rafi grew up in a kibbutz and found a voice in Israeli folk songs.  He served with distinction in the Israeli army and, by Divine providence, survived an operation during the War of Attrition on the west side of the Suez Canal when none other than Yitzhak Rabin assigned him a role to carry and operate a heavy machine gun rather than join an advance party that was unfortunately ambushed.  Juli was an accomplished linguist having attended Lycée Français de New York and then Goucher College.  She held positions at the UN and CBS. The couple met through friends and the beautiful, vivacious young lady and the tall, dark and handsome young man knew from the start that they were destined for one another.  It took a “little” while for Juli’s parents to see the light, but when Rafi was called to the Torah and read a perfect melodious Haftorah the deal was sealed.  Together they knew the secret to a happy life, constantly smiling, helping the people around them, doing good and actively raising their three wonderful children, Liron, Shachar and Tal. The three David children have each contributed to our community in ways that surely make their parents proud. To paraphrase our Sages, the actions of parents often foreshadow the ways of their children.

Rafi and Juli created a profound and memorable impact on all who came in contact with them. Rafi’s skills in construction were often called upon by many not-for profit institutions, including the Carlebach Shul, as he contributed his work for free.  Juli was always there as an active school parent volunteer and was the tour de force behind the MDS graduation ceremony for many years. They showered love, care and selflessness on all and could be counted upon to provide the strength to stand tall against the odds. They were truly role models for all of us.

The Carlebach Shul pays tribute to Juli and Rafi David, z”l.  May the warm light they created continue to shine brightly for their children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and community.   

Alan Septimus

Alan Septimus

Alan grew up in a traditional Jewish home and attended the Yeshiva of Flatbush and Yeshiva University High School.  He went on to attend Cornell and earned an MBA from Stanford University. Alan owes his lifelong love of Hebrew and Israel to his yeshiva education and decade-long experience growing up at Camp Massad.

In his high school and college years, when not occupied by his passion for baseball, Alan found time for much political activism. He saw the inside of a paddy wagon in the fall of 1969 while
demonstrating against the Vietnam War at the Moratorium March on Washington. Alan agitated for farm workers and, in 1972, he organized pickets of Ithaca’s grocery stores to publicize the plight of
California’s migrant workers and promote the boycott of non-union grapes and lettuce. Alan’s activism continued when he joined the Young People’s Socialist League and actively campaigned in the summer of 1972 for Congressman William Fitts Ryan. In 1976, Alan was admitted to the Stanford Graduate School of Business to study economics and finance and his socialism got lost in the shuffle.

After graduate school, Alan moved to the Upper West Side and was introduced to the Carlebach Shul by his friend Randall Rose. In 1982, Alan began davening regularly at the Shul and, despite moving to White Plains 18 years ago, has remained actively involved. It was his privilege to serve two terms on the Shul’s Board of Trustees.

Reb Eli Chaim Carlebach, z”l and Reb Shlomo Carlebach, z”l, are credited by Alan with shaping his spiritual and personal life as well as the lives of a generation of young adults who found a home at the Carlebach Shul over the decades.

Alan respectfully accepts the honor bestowed upon him by the Shul and, in turn, desires to honor and acknowledge the leaders who have made this Shul so great: Reb Eli Chaim and Reb Shlomo, Reb Shmuel Chaim Intrator, Rebbetzin Hadassah Carlebach and, Alan’s close friend, the long-time President of the Shul, Moshe Liebert, of blessed memory.

Alan also acknowledges the dedication of the current Board of Directors, under the leadership of President Shy Yellin.
He salutes Rav Naftali Citron and blesses him with many years of strength and wisdom so that he continues to lead all of us to ever greater heights.