An Extravagant Gift from a Modest Man
Sumner ( Sholom Reuven ) Bivetsky , at left , bequeathed a seven-figure sum to Yeshiva Darchei Torah in his will .
Who doesn ’ t love an unexpected windfall ? The hanhala of Yeshiva Darchei Torah was pleasantly surprised to receive word last year that Mr . Sumner Bivetsky , a ” h , had bequeathed a very large sum to the Yeshiva . No one knew the mystery donor , who ’ d lived in Malden , Massachusetts and had been , like his father , the president of the Young Israel until the shul closed its doors in 2010 .
The connection to Mr . Bivetsky was Rabbi Joel Beritz , a longtime chinuch professional with the Gruss Foundation and CIJE who was honored by YDT in 2020 . The men were first cousins who ’ d grown up on different floors of a home in Malden . Rabbi Beritz describes his cousin as an unassuming man , an accountant who dedicated all his free time to the shul . When the last rabbi left , he ’ d lain on Shabbos , and take care of the shul ’ s other needs .
Mr . Bivetsky earned a modest salary , but invested wisely and didn ’ t spend . He never married , lived in his parents ’ home , and gave charitably . A few years ago Rabbi Beritz advised him , “ You need to make a will . If you make no provisions , your money will be confiscated after 120 ,” forwarding a recommendation for a lawyer .
His cousin seemed more concerned that no one would observe his parents ’ yahrzeit . Rabbi Beritz suggested , “ If you want a place you can trust , go to Darchei Torah .” He also named a second yeshiva and sent contact information for Rabbi Baruch Rothman , the director of institutional advancement . Mr . Bivetsky had never visited either yeshiva , although Rabbi Beritz would keep him apprised of yeshiva developments .
In April 2020 , Rabbi Beritz called his cousin on a Friday afternoon . Mr . Bivetsky said he wasn ’ t feeling well , and took an ambulance to the hospital . He was buried the following Friday . “ It seems to have been Covid related . He was only in his early 60s , which pained me ,” says Rabbi Beritz .
Shortly afterward , he was taken by surprise when a lawyer in Massachusetts called to say he ’ d been appointed
R ’ Joel Beritz encouraged his cousin , Sumner Bivetsky , to support yeshivos . Rabbi Beritz reciting kaddish for him at a special siyum as Rav Yaakov Bender , Rosh HaYeshiva ( L ) and Rav Moshe Bender , S ’ gan Rosh HaYeshiva ( R ) look on .
the executor of his cousin ’ s will , which left a massive sum to Yeshiva Darchei Torah and the other yeshiva . Rabbi Bender received the check the subsequent Erev Yom Kippur .
The money will be used in honor of the Bivetsky family . Yeshiva Darchei Torah ’ s soon-to-be-constructed buildings will include the Bivetsky Family Shaar Hatorah .
Mr . Sumner Bivetsky was a quiet man in this world . But the kol Torah he empowered will , iyh , resonate through many generations .
18 BEDARCHEI HATORAH WINTER 5784 / 2024