Eulogy by Isaac Benjamin at HHNE

Isaac Benjamin, a senior, delivered a eulogy at a memorial service this morning at the Hebrew High School of New England.

It’s hard to believe that about half of you guys didn’t go to school with Avi. For me, two years ago seems like a month ago. I can still remember everything that happened over that week. I remember finding out he was sick. I didn’t really want to wake up at 6:30 that vacation morning because it couldn’t be that serious and I was soooo tired. But I think the thing I appreciate my mom the most for is her making me go to shacharit. I remember finding out that he had died that morning and I remember the funeral but the rest is a sad blur. Its really hard for me to think about it just because it brings out a lot of emotions that I don’t usually feel, but not a week goes by I don’t remember him in some way or another.

Many people remember Avi for his achievements. People recall how devoted and advanced of a Talmud chacham he was. I was his chavrusa in Rabbi Loew’s gemara class and I can tell you first hand, I’ve never met anyone my age who understood Torah and halacha so completely and loved yidishkeit so much. People are amazed at his computer skills. He built his own computer as a thirteen year old! Many people look up to him as a role model, but I look at him as something else. Avi and I were great friends. I think of the countless Shabbos afternoons I spent at the Lapidus’ house playing basketball in the backyard. I think of playing Simpson chess and losing every time and the many games of baseball monopoly that we played. Those who were close to him know that he had a sharp sense of humor. While they were not always the best teams, I have never met a more devoted cubs or bulls fan. A-lap, as we called him at The Spark, was our source for a last minute sports article or dvar torah that would always be well-written and ready to print.

In senior seminar with Rabbi Loew, the seniors are learning about Tzaddik Vra Lo – Why do bad things happen to good people? There’s no answer to why Hashem took Avi so early, but one thing that does help me at least cope is that Avi’s journey didn’t stop two years ago. His physical life may have come to an end but that’s only a fraction of his journey. He is in Olam Habah right now reaping the rewards of having lived such a genuinely pure and religious life on this level. Avi never called himself out, and because of this he’s underappreciated. I ask you to do one thing. Go to his father’s blog at zichronavi.blogspot and recognize him. He was a great person, greater than I can ever hope to be, and by going to the blog, you will realize just how unique he was. Right after Avi died, Michael Freilich created a Rip Avi Lapidus group on facebook. Within days, 400 people were members of this group commemorating someone that most of them did not know but sensed deserved to be remembered. I know I will always remember Avi and everything he taught me and I know his lasting legacy will not end.

After Isaac's remarks, Rabbi Daniel Loew, the principal, led the E-l Malei memorial prayer.