LAKEWOOD
— Hundreds of mourners are gathering in the main classroom at Beth
Medrash Govoha, hosting a funeral for a prominent Chicago rabbi with
strong local ties to the township's rabbinical college.
Rabbi
Chaim Keller, 90, whose survivors include children who live in
Lakewood, died Monday after a months-long battle with COVID-19,
complicated by other prior conditions, the Chicago Tribune reported. His funeral, which began about noon Tuesday, has attracted at least several hundred mourners.
"His
passing marks the end of an era," said Moshe Stern, who studied under
Keller in Chicago and now resides in Lakewood. "He has thousands of
students living here in Lakewood and for us it is an opportunity to come
out and show our respect."
Keller was the
senior rabbi at Telshe Yeshiva Chicago, a prestigious rabbinical college
that enrolls 200 students and was founded in 1960.
A
Press reporter inside the large classroom observed none of the mourners
wearing masks or any other face covering; likewise, mourners crowded in
the rear of the classroom and stood just inches apart. Those who were
seated typically were observed not practicing social distancing either.
All
attendees at indoor gatherings must wear face coverings and stay six
feet apart. The Press reporter was asked to leave the event shortly
after it began. Mourners continued to arrive just before 1 p.m.
A
funeral for him was held Monday in Chicago. At least three of Keller's
children lived in Lakewood: Rabbi Elya Meir Keller, of Yeshiva Yesodei
Hatorah; Sori Schechter, principal at Bais Yaakov; and Chani Treff, according to Jewish news site Hamodia.
Large
indoor gatherings, including funerals, dinners and parties, have
frequently been nexus of so-called "super spreader" events linking
COVID-19 cases.
