(Courtesy of AABJ&D) David Cherna, z”l was a longtime beloved member of Congregation Ahawas Achim B’nai Jacob and David (AABJ&D) in West Orange. Smart and soft-spoken, David was the quintessential mensch, and he was a valued friend among all age groups within the community. David served as president of the shul, dealing with all issues with wisdom and compassion. An accomplished attorney, David was legal counsel to AABJ&D for many years, and he participated on many committees as well.

Unfortunately, David was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this past February. As soon as news of his devastating illness got out, his friends and family from all over the world jumped into action, initiating a large Tehillim group which operated day and night. A group of local friends also started a Sunday morning Navi class with the hope that such learning would act as a zechus for David’s refuah. The time gap between the end of the 8 a.m. Shacharis minyan and the start of the 9 a.m. minyan provided a perfect opportunity to accomplish this mitzvah. The core group of regular attendees included Dan Amster, Jack Becker, Bennett Degen, Yoni Fox, Craig Goldman, Elliot Jacobs, Arnie Klausner, Rich Kelin, Larry Rein and Ed Zughaft.

Thus began the David Cherna Sefer Yehoshua study group. The opportunity of leading the weekly shiur was divided on a rotating basis. To date, the classes have been led by Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, rabbi of AABJ&D; Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, rabbi of the Sephardic Shul at AABJ&D; Becker; Kelin; and Goldman. The classes generate a lively discussion of the issues and reveal a deeper understanding, all of which David would have enjoyed. Notwithstanding all the prayers and mitzvot performed on David’s behalf, he unfortunately passed from this world shortly before Pesach. The class has continued in David’s memory, as a way for his neshama to have an aliyah. Now officially known as the David Cherna z”l Navi Class, everyone is welcome to participate and to remember David’s kind contributions to the West Orange community.