The Kelman and David Family Online Torah Library

Refael Yechiel ben Avraham, Jerome W. Kelman, a'h was the oldest child of Avraham and Etta Fruma Kelman. He was raised in Detroit, in a home that infused Torah values, and learning of Torah and secular studies. His life was most influenced by his Shmirat Shabbat at a time when it was very hard to keep Shabbat and a job. He helped support his parents and siblings though the years of the Great Depression while going to college and law school. His legacy is his never compromising honesty in his work, and in his relationships with G-d and man, as well as the tzedaka that he gave openly and privately.

Over his lifetime, he was on the boards of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, Akiva Hebrew Day School, the Hebrew Free Loan, Young Israel (having received their shofar award), and Yeshiva Shor Yashuv. He was a pioneer in the legal field of Workman's Compensation in Michigan, and was on that professional board as well.

Sara Braina Bat Yehoshua Heschel, Bernice G. Kelman, a'h was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, the second child of Sam and Rae Greenfield. She had the blessing of being close with nearly all of her extended family, with which she remained close, her whole life. Their family held Torah values as supreme.

She became a very active member of the Detroit Jewish community, especially in the Akiva Hebrew Day School, to which she and our father sent their three sons. The very first meeting to discus the opening of "Akiva" was held in the Kelman living room.

Yeshaya Yosef ben Yoel, Alexander J. David, a'h, was the oldest child of Yoel and Chaya Shaindel David, a'h, born in Szimizna, Romania. His mother died in childbirth when he was merely three years old. His father and stepmother raised him. He received a cheder education and worked hard to support the family from a young age. At the age of fifteen, he and his family were deported to the Nazi death camps, and he never saw them again. He returned to his hometown after the war and set about rebuilding his life, doing any and all forms of skilled labor. He quickly saw success in his business, and used his means to support family and friends that were not as fortunate.

Freida bat Yitzchak Dov, Friderica David, a'h was the youngest of four daughters born to Yitzchak Dov and Ester Samuel, a'h, in Manashtur, Romania. Their family was deported to the Nazi death camps, and though both parents died, the four sisters miraculously survived, and were never separated. Freidy and Yussi, as they were referred to, met and married in Romania and lived there ten years before having Shaindy, their only child.

Freida, Yussi, and Shaindy immigrated to Baltimore when Shaindy was twelve years old, with only their clothing and linens. Through Yussi's hard work ethic and energetic drive, he was again financially successful, and, through his ability to get things done, became the backbone of Congregation Machzeikai Torah. The Davids' heart and home was open for chesed of any sort. Nothing pleased them more than helping those in need.