I am at that age when I look back frequently and remembering David brings a smile..........enjoyed our occasional lunches with him and my brother in law Myer Alperin.........  May both their memories be a blessing always.

With deep sadness learned of David's passing........he was an incredible friend of the Alperin family....especially Myer Alperin, his childhood friend.     David and his father, Rabbi Max, of blessed memory, served our synagogue and community of Scranton  with pride.   I fondly remember David's visits to Philadelphia for lunch visits with me and Myer.  May his name be a blessing always.    

Rabbi David, was my father, Cantor-Rabbi Paul Grob’s best friend of his life.  They walked, they talked, they argued about Jewish practice and philosophy and Talmud. They could really freely share their thoughts and opinions with equal understanding and respect.  
Rabbi David was my first Rabbi. My memories are an early childhood where the Cantor’s kids and the Rabbi’s kids had play days together all the time… my swing set or their swing set. Their mom making lunch, my mom making cinnamon ruggelah. Yum.
 I was 6 or 7 when they left Portsmouth.  They were gone but never forgotten. There was a warmth and love that came with that friendship. Over the years I would see Noam at Camp Ramah in Glen Spey and the Berkshires, & even a schul in Del Mar, CA.  I re-met Aliza a few times; once when she was learning carpentry. Sometimes I’d see Rabbi Artz at Camp Ramah too. It was always special to see him. He exuded love and kindness. 
My parents changed congregations several times as clergy often do. Eventually in the 1990s Rabbi David Artz & Cantor-Rabbi Paul Grob found each other again, retired in Boca Raton, FL.  My mom became friends with Ellen. Mom really appreciated Ellen’s artistic style.  And Dad resumed his friendship with Rabbi David. The walking while debating Jewish issues began again. They walked and talked for miles. I hope they are doing that now. 
Zichronah L’vrachah, Erica Grob Berent

Rabbi Arzt was most responsible for the love of Judiesm shared by the youth of Gomley Chesed Synogogue in Portsmouth VA
 We were young and learning and Rabbi At ft taught us to love our region and way of life. We spoke with him from time to time on Zoom calls. He will be missed. 

Since 1954, when Rabbi Arzt (z"l) arrived in Portsmouth, VA, I have always referred to him as "My Rabbi."  Other than my parents, no one had more of an influence on my life than A. David Arzt.  Over these many years, he and I have stayed in touch.  It was always a treat to answer the phone, hearing him say, "Is this Priscilla Bloom?  I'm a voice from your past."  Even in these past two years, Rabbi Arzt was eager to join our Portsmouth Zoom calls when 15-20 of us would have a chance to visit with him, sharing wonderful memories,  He was definitely our Pied Piper, and as a result, I know that we all have strong connections within our Jewish communities,  Thanks to Rabbi Arzt for leadership, education, encouragement, and opportunities that he made possible.  May his memory be a blessing to his family and friends,  

Rabbi Arzt was an instrumental part of my early childhood Jewish education at Gomley Chesed in Portsmouth, Va. He was an important part of my Bar Mitzvah and has always held a warm place in my heart. He was also very helpful on many occassions to my entire family in our collective hour of need.  He was a good person and a good Rabbi. He leaves a hole that will be difficult to fill. My sincere condolences to his entire family.
Harvey Siegel
Naples, Florida
 

Having Rabbi Arzt as my childhood Rabbi at Gomley Chesed Synagogue (Portsmouth, Va ) was a gift, not only to my family, but to the majority of the families of the Shul and the entire community. He was a primary source of direction in helping my parents get the proper medical care for my sister, not once, but twice. Our family will NEVER forget the attention and focus he gave to us. I had the gift of reconnecting with him over the past two plus years in many telephone conversations. We exchanged memories from the past and photos and stories  of  our families. I will cherish his kindness, his caring and guidance forever. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him. Thank you Rabbi Arzt. Our prayers are with Ellen and the entire family.  Toby Siegel Costanzo 

Rabbi Arzt was my Rabbi at Gomley Chesed Synagogue in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was handsome and kind and had a wonderful sense of humor, so a lot of us had a crush on him. At the start of his Friday night sermon, he might promise a shorter sermon so that we younger congregants could get home in time to watch the popular TV series, 77 Sunset Strip.

Decades later when we were planning our son's Bar Mitzvah, I called Rabbi Arzt to ask if he would officiate. He said that he was honored by the request, but his son's Bar Mitzvah was planned for that same weekend. 

I feel blessed to have grown up in a synagogue led by such an inspirational Rabbi. I hope the fact that he inspired so many of us will be of some comfort to his family.

Ellen Joseph



OBITUARY

Rav. David Arzt

October 28, 1926 – March 15, 2022

Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels

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