Dear Friends,
Today, fact seems so much more unrealistic than fiction. Saadya a”h personified life and simcha. It seems unfathomable that he is not in this world. Saadya was happy with life, whatever it handed out to him, but his years in Makor, at Yeshiva University was the fulfillment of a dream.
In fact, when the acceptance letter arrived in May, three years ago exactly, Saadi was overjoyed but not surprised. This had always been his plan (just like all the other chuztniks at Yeshiva Har Etzion” “Return after gap year to YU to get his simcha.” Saadya epitomized “If you don’t have a dream, how can you have a dream come true” and that was attending Yeshiva University (actually he assumed he was on staff, inheriting his father’s position on faculty.)
He lived that dream, B”H, so many fold, his graduation picture exudes the extraordinary joy he felt as his graduation approached.
Now, we can only help Saaadi find that joy through our mitzvos and remembering him with equivalent levels of happiness. Dr. Glicksman’s suggestion that enabling other young men to find that same joy and fulfillment, would be an extraordinary way of assuring that Saadya’s neshama will continue to smile as other young men live their dream.
All of us loved him so much, our days were made so much happier as they reflected his infectious smile and simchas hachaim. Whatever we can do to perpetuate that simchas hachaim will be a true aiyah for his beautiful neshama.
With so much thanks and appreciation to all of you who share his loss,
Ahava Ehrenpreis and family
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I was so pained to hear about the tragic loss of your son. I am one of your (many) Family First readers, and I just want you to know what your son, z’l did for me. My only sister is a high functioning 13 year old girl with Down’s Syndrome. Coming from a tiny family, and being a very quiet person, (not the type that has a million close friends) I always yearned for a ‘regular’ sister. Reading about your son, z’l changed my perspective and my relationship with my sister. When I saw how much your son accomplished and how he impacted others, just by being the best person he could be, it showed me how much potential and beauty every single person has no matter how different they may be from you and me. I saw that every single person can accomplish worlds and has a very unique and important role in this world. My relationship with my sister has gone from one of disappointment and frequent annoyance, to one of closeness, acceptance and admiration of her unique, important, valuable and beautiful self. Your son has touched many, and his memory will continue to inspire.
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The Yachad family is devastated by Saadya’s loss. To say that Saadya was beloved does not even begin to capture his stature. I had the honor to observe Saadya and to speak with him at several shabbatonim. Always with an infectious smile. Your loss is Yachad’s loss, and klal yisroel’s loss. I hope the memory of Saadya’s impact will provide some comfort to you and your family.
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I worked with him for years and he was such a sweet neshama … always smiling and such a sweet heart.
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I Remember him on Darkaynu Programs he was always there to make you laugh if you ever going through a rough patch he was always there to get you through it
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I was lucky to know Saadya for many years, including my time with him at Gush. I can’t recall even a single time I saw him without him putting the biggest smile on my face.
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This is such gut-wrenching news! Our hearts are absolutely broken! Saadya was truly such a unique individual with a special soul! He always cared deeply about those around him, and of course, those feelings were certainly reciprocated by everyone who had the absolute zchut to know – and ❤️ him! Saadya was the life of the party and immensely enjoyed making sure that everyone was always having a good time, whatever it was that they were doing! We, and our entire family, are so very fortunate that he, along with all his buddies, graced us with their presence on many a Shabbat over the years, so, we were lucky to hear his and all their angelic voices when they spoke to the heavens not only during davening but also with their beautiful singing of zmirot after lunch! We are also very grateful to have had the opportunity to interact with him when he participated in the Darkaynu cooking class, where it goes without saying of course, that Saadya was always an integral part of the entire group! He will sorely be missed by so very, very many! May all who knew and loved him, starting with his incredible caring, loving immediate family that we had the good fortune to meet, every single person in The Darkaynu Program along with the entire rest of Yeshiva as well and those he, without a doubt, touched all around the world – just by being Saadya.
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He brightened YU’s halls and the lives of everyone he met.
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It was hard to imagine how the farewell to Saadia would be as we were all sitting in our apartments all over the world (NY Florida Lake wood, Jerusalem, Neve Daniel, Beer Sheva….). Well when the zoom levaya ended with all the hespedim, Steven called me to say: “Ima today I heard so much about Saadia, exactly what you have been telling me over 36 years” It was amazing how he left a mark on so many people. … He always knew us, he was so proud of what he was doing and did: computer lessons,Camp Hasc, Gush , Neveh Daniel and then YESHIVA UNIVERSITY. He was super sensitive as we always saw his relationship, kind words … Yes, he told us he was moving to Israel!
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We watched the total levaya and listened to all the eulogies describing the remarkable person, Saadya. It was more than moving. He was clearly a loving and much loved young man by everyone who knew him and worked with him. It is clear that he will be sorely missed not only by family but by everyone who knew him, worked with him and loved him.
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You don’t know me but I know you through your writing and have been following your journey. Just last week I was so touched by your article in Mishpacha and as you bared your soul, you reached all of ours and we joined in davening for Saadya to recover. I just received the email that Saadya has ended his fight for life in this world and is now moving to where he will be free of pain and suffering. You were all his advocates here in this world, now he will be your advocate up High. Hoping you will find some measure of comfort in the fact that Saadya was known all around the world, and that there were so many tefillos davened for him during his lifetime. The love and care you all gave to him helped form the wonderful person he grew up to be. He will be missed by not only his immediate family but by all those who knew and loved him. May he be a מליץ יושר for your whole family and for כלל ישראל.
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No combination of words seems to do justice, so I will simply say this: thank you for teaching me at a tender young age, that we share far more in common with those who seem different than that which truly divides us.
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The world lost a beautiful soul today!
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Saadya changed the lives of so many people who were privileged to have spent time with him. The tributes pouring in and the memories people are sharing are a testament of who Saadya was and his very special family who loved him so much.
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What a sweet person.
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We’ve been friends for almost a decade. Always smiling and happy to give a hug. And he had a great.
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A holy Neshome! He will be a meilitz Tov to Klal Yisrael & to all people that where nice to him!
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The best co- division head of Mesorah Teens. I choose to remember him by his starring in our MBC Yavoh video that summer Yavo 2010 Camp Mesorah Teens youtube.com.
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I remember Sadyah from Young Israel of Avenue J. (Rabbi Levine’s Shul). He used to love to say Yigdal in Friday Night. He was so sweet and loving.
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Saadya was a walking lesson on simchas hachaim & his smile & attitude were infectious. I & all the staff & all his friends at Harmony are truly heartbroken. May his neshama have a tremendous Aliyah & may you & your family know of only simchas from now on.
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Miss him greatly already … what a special and heilige neshama … he made the world a far greater and happier place …