[Reader-submitted] Today (Wed.) I was at the Kevurah of Shmuli Backman A”H. In the year 2000, Shmuli was a 14 year old Bocher who had come to Torah Vodaath from Albany, N.Y. He was a very sweet Bocher, but with many personal difficulties in life.
Shmuli was an only child to his mother, a mother who bore him with Mesiras Nefesh, and died shortly thereafter. After his father remarried, Shmuli spent much time during his childhood at different relatives. It was when he arrived at Torah Vodaath, that Shmuli found some sense of belonging and family.
Although extremely busy during my days in Yeshiva, I came to recognize the sensitive Neshoma Shmuli possessed and the many real challenges he faced in many facets of life; his social life not the least of his concerns. We all recognized it.
We, the older folks in the YTV dorm fraternity had an unspoken understanding that Shmuli was somebody who required our extra special attention. He was normal, smart, and so, so kindhearted. Yet his difficulties manifested themselves so often to the discerning eye, and it could cause one to cry. I personally was on the short end of delivering that special care due to the demands on my time- at the time, but nearly every member of Yeshiva was there for Shmuli in one way or another. Shmuli had a family, the yeshiva family. As one maspid said before the fresh Kever, “Shmuli was my brother.” That particular Maspid had kept up with Shmuli as a father figure- until this week, even a long while after Shmuli left Yeshiva.
This morning I was very saddened to receive the news of Shmuli’s passing. He was only 27. He was single and struggling. Yet from what I understand, he constantly continued to wish that he could once again return to his time in Yeshiva. He missed his family, and he expressed his desire to learn again.
They think he died of a heart attack. Shmuli had a huge heart. His many challenges, especially of late may have physically taken its toll, yet Shmuli’s Lev Tov will live on forever in memory.
I write this simply to express my thoughts and acknowledge that although we may not understand, Hatzur Tomim Poalu. I ask those of you who may have known Shmuli, and those who did not, to perhaps take on a bit of a Limud in his merit.
His name was Shmuel ben Avrohom Yitzchok. Please learn a Mishna or two. If someone were to have asked Shmuli to do that- he wouldn’t have hesitated. Grant him that zchus- and his wish to learn just a bit more.
T’hey nishmas Toror B’Otzros Hachayim.
How sad. He was a pure innocent neshama that went through so much.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I have learned mishnayos l’illui nishmoso.
So sad does anyone know if he was in camp ohr shraga in like 2004 there was this guy backman from albany who worked in the office
Wow may the neshoma have an aliyah
This letter portrays the situation well. Shmuli was special. He was loved and beloved. Im very sad to hear this. But relieved that his YTV family is still here for him as this letter so aptly displays.
who was he?
dont get it?!!
#5: What don’t you get? He was a 27 year old holy Jew that passed away. I knew him and he was a very special and upbeat person who had an extremely difficult life.
May his families find comfort quickly.
Baruch Dayin ha’emes.
Yes that was him, in camp ohr shraga
Oish. He was so bright and good natured. He could have contributed so much to the future. Oish. BD”E
Moving letter. May his Neshama reap the rewards of a life well fought.
very sad i remember him in camp ohr shraga such a geshmaka guy always had a good line or good joke to say. The writer metions that he had a hard life i spent a whole summer with hime and didnt even know that until now. the writer mentions “his diffuculties often manifested themself” how? he was so normal so noce the writer portrays him as sor of a sad situation explain?
I was in residency in Albany and got to know him and his family. His family is so special. His father is a chosid, scholar, bal Menagen and chazan and all the children chassidim with a kindness and sensitivity not often seen. He was a chosid and a geshmaka guy as above. I had a few really nice talks with him in Rabbi Rubin’s shul. To grow up in such a family must have been very special. The Backman and Rubin families are the best of the best. No more sorrow for k’lal yisroel for it getting too much. Boruch Dayan Emes.
Moshiah Now!!!!!!!!