Film pays tribute to Hamilton rabbi

Rabbi Zev Eisentstein

HAMILTON — It seems everyone who knew Rabbi Zev Eisenstein has a story about the positive impact he had on their lives.

So it seems only fitting that as a tribute to his life, Hamilton Hebrew Academy (HHA) is producing a documentary of people sharing their stories about the rabbi, who died last November at age 75.

The film, It’s a Beautiful Day, will premiere May 12 at the annual Hamilton Hebrew Academy Gala Tribute Dinner. 

Rabbi Eisenstein was the principal of HHA for 28 years, retiring in 2001. He remained as a teacher until 2011. His motto was “It’s a beautiful day.” Every morning, he would open the door to the school and greet each student with those words.

“He touched so many people in countless ways. People from all strata of life – students, parents, people in the business world, people he met at RV parks while camping,” said Rabbi Daniel Green of Adas Israel Congregation of Hamilton, who is also dean of HHA. “He was there for people in times of death and at joyous occasions. He had a profound impact on people in a variety of ways.”

The film was shot in Toronto, Israel and Hamilton, with people from all areas of Rabbi Eisenstein’s life coming to share their stories. 

“Similar themes came up over and over again,” Rabbi Green said. “So many said, ‘He was like a second father to me.’ They knew he was there and that he was someone you could always rely upon.

“Rabbi Eisenstein savoured the opportunity to give to other people. If you are woken in the middle of the night to help with a family dispute or to go to the hospital, there is an element of it being the last thing in the world you want to do. For Rabbi Eisenstein, it was the first thing he wanted to do. He wanted to be there for people in meaningful ways.”

One of Rabbi Green’s favourite examples of Rabbi Eisenstein’s impact came from the head of a company where Rabbi Eisenstein was a kashrut inspector.

“He told me he didn’t need [kashrut] certification,” Rabbi Green said. “He told me, ‘I pay so I can have a visit from Rabbi Eisenstein a couple of times a year. It’s worth the money, and I don’t want that to stop.’ That is the most fitting testimony for him.”

In addition to the film, the It’s a Beautiful Day Fund aims to create a legacy of love and inclusivity through three projects: the Diverse Learning Centre, which provides instruction and resources for special needs students; a scholarship fund to enable children whose families may not have the resources to experience an HHA education; and transportation services for Jewish children who have no access to Jewish day school because of their geographic location in the Niagara, Halton and Kitchener areas.

Funds will be raised through the sale of leaves on the school’s Tree of Life memorial wall, which will be dedicated in honour of Rabbi Eisenstein. 

“We want to give back,” said Rabbi Green. “We want to make sure that what Rabbi Eisenstein built and gave his life to is able to perpetuate and build into the future.”

For information, visit HHAlegacy.ca.