Beryl Epstein

Rabbi Beryl (Richard) Epstein, 58, died on April 15, 2017, in New York City. He was born on Oct. 18, 1958, in Chattanooga, Tenn. As a teenager, Beryl served as president of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. He graduated from Brainerd High School in 1976, and graduated with a degree in Religious Studies from The Rabbinical College of America, in Morristown, N.J. His religious journey led him to the Chassidic life in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where he established the Chassidic Discovery Welcome Center and The Jewish Walking Tour. Beryl infused his southern roots through his humor and stories to a worldwide audience. Rabbi Beryl will be remembered as an educator and inspiration leaving his footprint in the Chassidic community. Beryl was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Charlyne Epstein and wife, Dena Klein Epstein. He is survived by his three children, Joseph, Chaya, and Menachem Mendel; four siblings, Eron (Valerie) Epstein, of Chattanooga, Rachel Epstein and Dana Weed, of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Mordechai (Mark) and Mindy Epstein, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Yocheved (Julie) Schechter, of Baltimore, Md.; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service was handled by Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Brooklyn, N.Y., and took place on April 16, 2017, at Montefiore Cemetary, in Queens, N.Y. Contributions in his memory may be made to Chabad Jewish Center of Chattanooga, 950 Vine Street, 37403.