Princeton rabbi Adam Feldman dies in Hawaii
Adam Feldman, the rabbi at the Jewish Center of Princeton, died while on vacation in Hawaii on Tuesday.
Feldman had a heart attack while rappelling down a mountain. A guide found him unresponsive.
Randy Brett, president of the executive committee at the Jewish Center, informed members of the congregation of Feldman’s death in an email on Wednesday.
“It is with profound shock and sadness that I am notifying you about the sudden passing of Rabbi Adam Feldman,” Brett wrote. “Rabbi Feldman was with his family, and his wife Sara’s family, on a vacation in Hawaii and he died while on an outdoor activity with the family. The details are unclear but his passing was quick and without suffering.”
Feldman, 55, led the Jewish Center for more than fourteen years. He joined the Jewish Center in the summer of 2005 after serving for six years as the assistant and associate rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights, New York. At the Jewish Center, Feldman was known for his passion for education. He also worked to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding in the local community. He served on numerous boards and committees for area community organizations, including among others the committee for religious ministries at the Princeton Medical Center, Trinity Counseling Services, and the Princeton-Mercer-Bucks Jewish Community Relations Council. He also served as a chaplain for the Princeton Police Department.
“Rabbi Feldman devoted his energy, passion for Judaism, love of teaching, and innovative programming for the benefit of the congregation and community,” Brett wrote. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Sara, their children Talia, Dena and Ilan, his sisters Lisa and Amy, his parents Len and Nikki Feldman, and the extended Feldman and Bucholtz families. We will gather around them as a community to comfort them in this extraordinarily difficult period.”
Funeral arrangements are pending. Jewish Center leaders have asked that people not reach out to family members yet, but hold them in their thoughts and hearts during this difficult time.
Planet Princeton will post an obituary and funeral arrangements when the information becomes available.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.
A very dear man and lovely community servant .
So sorry for his entire family and the Princeton Community
Lance
Barukh Dayan HaEmet. It is sad to lose a person, family member, community leader at any time. His loss is especially grievous.
Words of comfort to his family and congregation.
Adena Potok
Merion PA
I am so sorry to hear this news. Rabbi Feldman spoke with member of our congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, just a few weeks ago. This is so shocking and sad. We are holding his family and his congregation in loving thought.
What sad news. Adam was a true colleague and friend when I served as pastor at Witherspoon Presbyterian Church. He worked in the service not only of his congregation but in the community, and I have fond memories of Adam’s leadership at our monthly gatherings with the Princeton Clergy Association where clergy of different faiths gathered for fellowship. I will hold his family in prayer during this time of sorrow. He will be sorely missed in the Princeton community.