Rabbi Aaron Felder, ZTK’L came to this community in 1982 as an accomplished Talmid Chacham and Posek. He was a Talmid Muvhak of Rav Moshe Feinstein, ZTK’L under whose direct guidance and tutelage he studied for 14 years. Rav Felder, ZTK’L was the Rav of Congregation B’nai Israel Ohev Zedek for close to 33 years until his petirah, on the 3rd of Iyar 5774. Over the course of three decades, The Rav, together with, Tibadel LeChaim, Rebbetzin Ruth Felder made an indelible imprint on our shul and on the community at large.
From his arrival in Philadelphia, Rabbi Felder was instrumental in building and strengthening many community projects. He was instrumental in the creation of the Northeast Community Eruv (completed in 1989) and was a founding member of what now is Community Kashrus of Greater Philadelphia. He served as a prominent dayan for the Beis din of Philadelphia due to his extensive knowledge of all areas of halachah, and he devoted countless hours to the Northeast Mikvah.
In addition to all that he did on a communal level, Rabbi Felder spent every waking hour learning Torah, teaching Torah and being available to pasken halachic questions for the entire city and throughout the United States. His seforim continue to be relied upon today, most notably his sefer on Aveilus (Laws of Mourning).
Our community continues Rabbi Felder’s legacy with its continued commitment to the institutions he helped build, strengthen, and sustain.
                                    Yehi Zichro Baruch.