Rabbi Adam Feldman, a former associate rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights, has died at age 55.
Feldman, who went on to prestige as a leader in the Jewish community in Princeton, N.J., after leaving Long Island, died on Tuesday, Dec. 24 in Hawaii while on vacation with his family, according to information from Golda Och Academy in West Orange, N.J., where he was a frequent speaker and a former member of the school’s Board of Trustees.
The school said that Feldman had “died while on an outdoor activity” with his family, but the cause of death remains unclear.
Feldman had been ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City in 1999. He received a B.A. from Rutgers University in Hebraic Studies, participating in the United Synagogue Youth’s NATIV Leadership Program in Israel as well as studying at the Hebrew University and Machon Schechter in Jerusalem.
After leaving Temple Beth Sholom in 2005 after six years of service, Feldman joined the Jewish Center of Princeton as its Spiritual Leader, where he became a strong advocate in retooling the center’s education programs, implementing adult education classes and co-creating the center’s version of the #SULAM Hebrew High School Program.
Feldman also helped to found the Princeton Police Department’s chaplain program, where he was actively involved in the department’s weekly activities.
A Facebook post by neighboring Temple Beth Chaim in Princeton Junction recognized Feldman’s achievements.
“In addition to serving as the rabbi of The Jewish Center, Rabbi Feldman was an influential leader in Mercer County,” the post read. “We will miss his vision, sense of humor and presence. We send our deepest condolences to his beloved family and congregants at the Jewish Center.”
A native of Pennsylvania, Feldman is survived by his parents, Len and Nikki Feldman, his wife, Sara Bucholtz, and their children Talia, Dena and Ilan.
The Jewish Center hosted a funeral for Feldman on Sunday, with mourners encouraged to wear apparel representing the Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Philadelphia 76ers sports teams, all of which Feldman was a fan. He was interred at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, N.J.
A call for comment to Temple Beth Sholom was unavailing.
