Feb 9, 2021
Words of Remembrance in honor of the Shloshim of Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer zt'l
Harav Yehudah Kelemer, zt”l, a prominent talmid chacham and the Rav of the Young Israel of West Hempstead for close to 4 decades.
As a young bachur of 15, Rav Kelemer was chosen by Harav Mordechai Gifter, zt”l, the Telshe Rosh Yeshivah, as a chavrusa, a testament to his outstanding abilities and sterling character. In addition to learning in Telshe, he learned in Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim, where he received semichah from Harav Chaim Shmuelevitz, zt”l.
After marrying the daughter of Harav Shmuel Dovid Walkin, zt”l, the son of Harav Aharon Walkin, zt”l, of Pinsk, he began his rabbanus in Switzerland, and then served in Brookline, Massachusetts. In 1983, he began serving as the Rav of the Young Israel of West Hempstead, and under his guidance the kehillah grew to its present 700 families.
The Rav was known for his broad knowledge of all areas of Torah and authored several sefarim. He was the address for many complicated she’eilos which were sent his way. Harav Shalom Yosef Elyashiv, zt”l, was known to have sent him some she’eilos which originated in America.
Rav Kelemer was known for his humble demeanor, as he treated everyone with respect and compassion, yet he remained firm in his adherence to halachah and mesorah. He was involved in all aspects of the Jewish community, including the supervision of kashrus, and was looked up to by both the young and the old. In 1984, he helped launch Yachad, an organization which assisted young adults with developmental delays.