Rabbi Isaac Furman, z”l.
Rabbi Furman arrived in South Jersey in 1960 at the invitation of Rabbi Harry B. Kellman. His role was to run Beth El Religious School and the newly founded Beth El Academy, which was later renamed Kellman and then Kellman Brown Academy. Rabbi Furman was Head of School from 1961-1998 and remained Head of School Emeritus until his passing.
Rabbi Furman held a Bachelor's degree from Yeshiva University in history and economics and was ordained by Yeshiva University in 1957. With his ordination, he also received a master’s degree in Hebrew letters. Prior to coming to South Jersey, he served as an Associate Rabbi at Ahavat Achim in Buffalo, NY and taught languages at the University of Buffalo. While he was there, he obtained a Master’s degree in linguistics.
When Rabbi Furman was honored at the KBA Tribute Dinner in 2017, longtime KBA teacher and alumni parent, Ellen Barmach said, “Rabbi Furman has a soul of silk”, an expression that he himself used on occasion for those who he held in the highest regard. The faculty and students of Kellman Academy during the years that Rabbi Furman served as Principal and Head of School fondly remember his warmth, humor and personal attention to all problems big and small. Young students and staff at today’s Kellman Brown Academy can still see Rabbi Furman’s imprint in the school’s challenging coursework, emphasis on character development and the sound of Jewish children’s laughter in the halls.
His presence and his legacy will continue to be felt each day at KBA. He will be sorely missed by the Kellman Brown Academy family and our entire South Jersey Jewish Community. Rabbi Furman was an amazing teacher and a well-respected Talmudic scholar. With that in mind and to further honor his memory, KBA presents an annual “Evening of Learning.”
Remembering Rabbi Furman
“To my friend and mentor, thank you for your dedication to Kellman Brown Academy.”
-Anonymous
“Thank you for the profound impact you had on our community. We will ensure that your legacy continues to live on in our students and faculty.”
-KBA Teacher
Rabbi Isaac Furman Legacy Endowment Fund
The Rabbi Isaac Furman Legacy Endowment Fund has been established to continue Rabbi Furman’s mission of keeping Kellman Brown Academy a strong and thriving Jewish Day School. The monies from this fund will be used for scholarships to enable students to attend KBA, since a Jewish day school education, at an affordable cost, was so important to Rabbi Furman. We hope you will support this fund in honor of someone who had such a strong positive influence on our children and their development.
Donors will have an option to be listed on the KBA website and to share a personal memory of Rabbi Furman.