Dear Sarah and family
We were so terribly sorry  to hear about Howie.. We always remember Howie's great smile and warmth .May your memories of him give you comfort always.  Ha'makom Yinachem etchem btoch shaar aveyley tzion V'yerushalayim. 
Karan and Paul Tanenbaum

To Howard's family,

I served as the JCRC director in Philadelphia for over 12 years and in other capacities at Federation.  I worked closely with Howard including a memorable JCRC interfaith mission to Israel.  He was a friend and confidante, a colleague I could always rely upon.  I am saddened by his loss and sending you my heartfelt condolences.   

Dear Alpert family, 
I am so sorry for your loss.  Howie was my Hillel Rabbi at University of Illinois.  He encouraged and supported us to start a Conservative minyan. His value of plurality was front and center for him. He also encouraged me to go into the field of Jewish Communal Service. I just retired from that field after serving 30+ years. 

May his memory be a blessing.  May you all be comforted among the mourners of Zion. BDE.

Laurie Siegel 
U of I class of 1980

I remember Rabbi Alpert well from my time at Penn.  He always had a warm, welcoming smile and a few minutes to listen to whatever the students wanted to discuss.  He was a solid presence in the building and liked and respected by all.  May his memory be for a blessing.

Rabbi Alpert also had an impact on me as a Penn student, he was always full of positive energy, and provided valuable religious guidance to many of us.  I truly miss him.

I'm so sorry to hear of Rabbi Alpert's passing.  When I was a student at Penn, Rabbi Alpert was always a warm, welcoming presence at Hillel, a quiet mentor for rising Jewish communal leaders, and a resource for the Orthodox minyan (as our broader Hillel community was wonderfully diverse, and we intentionally chose a non-rabbi as director).  Although it has been many years since I could sprint up the extra set of stairs just to pop in and say "hi," I am truly sad that I won't be able to see Rabbi Alpert's smile again.  I hope his family knows how many lives he touched -- and made better.  Tehei nishmato tzrura bitzror hachayim; may his values and legacy endure through the generations. 

As a new neighbor in Century Village, I met Rabbi Howard and Sarah going to and from our apartment’s. It did not take long for me to appreciate the warmth, sense of humor and kindness of this gentle man. May his memory be for a blessing. 

Judy Etra


So many wonderful memories. Marty remembers working with Howie in the kitchen at Camp Ramah Palmer in 1970. Sarah worked at the camp too. We remember when we were all newlyweds in the mid-70’s going together for hot fudge sundaes and watching Saturday Night Live. We remember camping together in the Poconos on the July 4, 1976 Bicentennial weekend and hearing about the Israeli rescue at Entebee. We remember being privileged to attend every simcha of the 5 children of Howie and Sarah. We remember meeting at a Delaware mall salad bar on many occasions as a halfway point between our homes in Baltimore and Lower Merion. We cherish the recent two years when we got to live close to Howie and Sarah in Boca Raton Century Village. Through it all, Howie’s warm, witty, engaged, committed, and interesting personality shined and inspired us. A humble, great man and a loyal, caring friend, We are tremendously missing him already. May his memory be for a blessing. 

Rabbi Alpert was a warm and thoughtful person. For some time in my late teens and 20s, I worked at Penn Hillel part-time doing telemarketing to raise small donations. In other words, I was the employee least likely to be noticed by management. Yet Rabbi Alpert went out of his way to tell people how good of a job I was doing, which both surprised me and left me deeply appreciative not only for his gesture but for the kind of person that gesture represents- a decent, altruistic and caring person. Someone to emulate. It may seem small, but it’s one thing about Rabbi Alpert that will always stick with me. My deepest condolences to his family. 

Dear Sarah,  We have been good friends for over 50 years. We know how special the bond was between you and Howard. Howard, like you, was smart, always with a smile, caring about family and friends, and a transformational Jewish leader. We turned to him, like so many others, for spiritual guidance. May his memory and his influence be for good. Sarah, please let's stay in touch and share good times.
Love you. Frieda and Steven Huberman

Dear Sarah,
Five years ago, you and Howard purchased your condo in Century Village. It was exactly at that time that we purchased our unit right next door. This gave us the opportunity to chat frequently, enjoy a Shabbat meal, play ping pong, pickle ball and kayak on the lake with you and Howard. We will miss his presence, his smile, and friendship. 
Fondly, Elliot and Donna Katz


My name is Alan Abramson and I had the privilege of studying for semicha at RIETS with Rabbi Alpert.  I remember him fondly as a caring soft spoken chaver who was destined for a life in the Rabbinate. We will miss him dearly. 

Deeply saddened to hear about Rabbi Alpert’s passing. His belief in a young inexperienced rabbinic couple catapulted our careers in Avodat Hakodesh and his mentorship and friendship was always kind, wise, and supportive. He left a real legacy and his impact will extend far beyond his years. .יהי זכרו ברוך

It has been many years since I was a grad student at Ohio State University but many of my important memories are connected with Rabbi Howie (as we called him) who had an impact on the students and campus. My condolences to the family come from Jerusalem where I have been living since 1984. I heard of his passing through another student, Gary Roth. 
May Rabbi Howie's memory be for a blessing. יהי זכרו ברוך

Dear Sarah and children,

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of your beloved Howard. All of the hespedim at the  the funeral service this morning painted a true picture of Howard as a husband, father, grandfather, educator, and vital Jewish leader, especially for college students.

May all of you be comforted from the many years of good memories that you have of your Rabbi Howard Alpert, z"l.

Hamakom yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar aveilei tzion v' yerushalayim.
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים  

Ann and Meir Shinnar

Dear Mrs. Alpert and Family,

I would like to express my deepest condolences to all of you. Rabbi Howard Alpert was my teacher and rabbi for 24 years.

 I am an immigrant from the former USSR and a naturalized US citizen. I grew up in the Soviet Union with no Torah learning and observance and came to the US with my family at age 16.  I attended Swarthmore College and this is where I first became a student of Rabbi Alpert. Back in 1994 he was teaching a remarkable class Philosophical Problems of Judaism and Modernity. Rabbi Alpert was teaching this course together with his friend, Swarthmore Philosophy professor Richard Schuldenfrei. This course changed my life. I became fascinated with Halakha.

 I give Rabbi Alpert a number one credit for my return to Torah lifestyle. Upon graduation from Swarthmore I found myself in a state of deep intellectual struggle between modernity and Jewish tradition. I reconnected with Rabbi Alpert and turned to him for guidance. This was a beginning of a new journey for me. I asked him to be my rabbi. Rabbi Alpert agreed. He suggested we learn Rambam's Hilchot Teshuva together. This was the first time for me learning any classical Jewish text and my beginning of a life-long learning. 

Rabbi Alpert with his gentle wisdom patiently answered my numerous questions, gave advice in times of trouble and was always there for me and my family. He was Mesader Kiddushin at my wedding. 

May the pure Neshama of Rabbi Howard Alpert have the highest Aliya. And may his memory be for a blessing to all who loved him.

Dear Sarah and the entire Alpert family,
I was privileged to work with Howard over many years, first at HGP, and later as we collaborated in creating rabbinic internships on numerous campuses. I learned a great deal from Howard, as the person and professional he was:  an independent thinker, one deeply committed to klal Yisrael, and a man of integrity.  I hope you find solace in knowing of his impact and that he lived a meaningful and honorable life.  I am so sorry for your loss.  May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion.


To Sarah and  the Alpert children,

     I worked with Howard for years as advisor of Ursinus Hillel, and remember his deep commitment to Jewish students--and Jewish life-- of all sorts, even in our small numbers.  He was immensely proud of all his children, speaking of them ( and the camping grandchildren!) with deep pleasure.  He touched me greatly by coming to B'klyn when my father died unexpectedly,
this for a (volunteer) faculty advisor.  May your memories, and knowing how many people he affected, be of comfort to you now and forever.
                        

Sara,Avi, Shira, Danny Dov and Elie, We were so lucky to have had Howie in our lives twice, first in Lower Merion and now in Century Village in Boca. Ed went on walks with Howie and had wonderful talks about nature, Torah and politics. Sara and I do what most women do in Century Village, play mahjong together.  A great way to reconnect.  Ed and I were so moved by all the children’s memories. Howie’s life and remarkable qualities will continue through your children and grandchildren. Our condolences, Ruth and Ed Goldberg

Dear Sarah and family,
Stewart and I  send our deepest condolences .  We remember him at The Ohio State University and then as a married couple at Beth Jacob. 
May his memory be for a blessing.


the Rabbi had a major positive influence in my life from the very first moment that we met at Ohio State Univ. in 1981, and I was far from being the only one !  His outgoing, welcoming personality was irresistible, and he totally revamped the Jewish activity on campus - both religiously and socially.  I was privileged to spend Shabbatot with his immediate family - both at OSU and off-campus - great experiences (esp. an NCSY regional Shabbaton).  Howie maintained good relations with the nearby OSU House of Tradition as well - we walked over there a number of times together.  It was no surprise that the regional Hillel director came by to interview us students in order to promote Rav Alpert to bigger and better positions, and I was more than overjoyed to help in that process.  May the family be consoled amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.  I am sending condolences from Jerusalem, by the way.

Dear Sarah, and Family,
We are deeply saddened by Howard’s sudden passing away and our collective loss.  We so clearly remember when we first met Howard and you in Century Village on a Shabbos afternoon, and we were immediately drawn to both of you, to Howard’s friendly smile, open manner and magnetic warmth.  In the years since then, we were delighted to share  memorable times: biking, pickle ball, excursions, and Shabbos meals and conversations. Howard would always bring a thoughtful take on an issue expressing his views while always gently leaving room for the other.  Listening to the eulogies, it’s clear that Howard had a large impact on so many people. May his memory be for a blessing.

Sarah — you and Howie shared quite a love affair and we were privileged to share a small part of it— our time together in Century Village was too short and cut even more so by Covid — we are saddened for your and your family’s loss and we will miss his smiling face. Please know that we will be there for you in all and anything you need. Baruch Dayan HaEmet.

What a beautiful and moving tribute to an extraordinary person, Howard Alpert. Howard had the biggest smile - it would light up the room. We were grateful to know him for almost 20 years after moving to Lower Merion. He and Sarah welcomed us so graciously into their home. Howard was friendly and warm, and he had the gift of making you feel special. He was also able to balance and bring together people with different backgrounds. He treasured his family most and especially his beloved wife, Sarah. Our hearts go out to Sarah and the family. - Jill and Harris

I am so sorry to learn about Howard's passing.  I only got to work with him for 2 years as he was inching toward his well-deserved retirement when I started working at Temple Hillel.  I know that Howard's legacy lives on in the Hillel world, the Jewish community in Philadelphia, and through the impact he had on the many Hillel staff and students who worked with him.  

Steve and I wish to send you and your entire family our deep condolences on the loss of your beloved husband, friend, father and grandfather. Although we only met a few times at LMS after we moved from MA , your warmth, and care shone through immediately. May Howard's memory be a blessing and may you all cherish wonder filled memories of your adventurous life together. 

Rabbi Howard was a visionary for Jewish students on every college campus.  It was a privilege to know him; I learned so much.
---Ann Lebowitz

--


Howard will be terribly missed.  I remember him as always smiling and engaging

May His Memory Be For A Blessing.

Barbara Sicherman

Sara,

So sorry to hear about your loss of Howard.  I'm glad that we got to reconnect with you this past November.  May you and your family be comforted.



Dear Sarah, Avi, Shira, Danny, Dov and Eli,

We deeply mourn the loss of your beloved father and husband, Howard, z"l.

Steve and I (and our children) cherish the moments that we were privileged to spend in your home.

He brought us an abundance of joy when he officiated at our wedding in 2011.

Much love and sincere sympathy.

Wendie and Stephen Sittenfield

To the whole family,

I am so sorry for your loss.  I worked with Howard for many years in Hillel.  There are 4 things that stand out in my mind:  1)  His deep commitment to students no matter what.  2)  He profound sense of pluralism even when we had deep personal disagreements with the point of view, 3)  His willingness to lean in to a political fight if it was for the sake of students and 4)  he stood by me during a mistake because he thought I was right even though it made donors unhappy.  

Sending you comfort and love,
Mike Uram

Our deepest condolence 
to the entire family. 
D.A. and Michael Taub 

I met Rabbi Alpert when I was a student at Swarthmore in the 90's. I remember that he not only made sure I had what I needed on campus but also that I saw the bigger picture of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia. During my rabbinical school years and after, he and I would cross paths. He always had a knowing update for me. Little did I know then that I would be where I am now: Executive Director of Greater Philly Hillel Network, the successor Hillel to HGP! I was already in awe of his work before I met students at St. Joe's and Bucks County Community College. After meeting with them, the last on Friday, January 21, I said to myself: how did Howard do it? While I wish I could get his advice directly, I know he would have me make my own way in the work. I pledge to keep his memory alive in my work. As one of you said at the funeral, he "is" and continues to be.
May you be comforted among those who mourn Zion and Jerusalem.
Yours,
R' Jeremy Winaker

As an undergraduate Hillel student leader at Bryn Mawr College, Rabbi Alpert guided and advised me.  We kept in touch as I worked at Tufts Hillel for one year and then Rutgers Hillel since 2001, where I still work now. He always intellectually pushed students and staff in a productive way and had great advice. I am so saddened by this loss and send comfort to the family.

Sarah & Family...Howie's willingness to share your RV adventures and experience with us provided us with inspiration and encouragement as we set out on our own two-year RV journey. His kindness and warm smile was a welcome sight each Shabbat as we left Hashkama minyan and he arrived for regular minyan. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Moshe & Barbara Goodman

Rabbi Howard Alpert was a giant of the Hillel movement. His extraordinary leadership of Hillels  - at Queens College Hillel, Ohio State and Illini Hillel and as CEO of the HIllels of Greater Philadelphia -  inspired and changed the lives of innumerable students, Hillel colleagues and partners. It was a true blessing for all of us who had the opportunity to know and work with Howard. May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may his memory always be for a blessing.

Sarah, thinking of you and your family and wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time. 
The DeLucas (Carolyn & Sean)

I have very fond memories of being part of the Alpert family, especially on Shabbat.  I knew when he met his beloved wife Sarah when they were young.  My condolences to her, their children and grandchildren but also to my dear friend Roberta, Gilda, and Russell.  
May his memory be a blessing for all who knew him. 
Carol Brooks Karman


So sorry for your loss. I remember him as a funny outgoing character in our neighborhood. Thinking of your family during this difficult time.

Sarah and family, so very sorry for your loss. We have you in our thoughts and prayers.
With Sympathy, 
The Conn Family (Megan)

OBITUARIO

Rabbi Howard Alpert

4 mayo, 1951 – 22 enero, 2022

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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