“Thank you for coming. The Rivkin Courts are officially open.”

With that simple sentence, Edison Council member Asaf Shmuel ended the ceremony renaming the renovated tennis and pickleball courts honoring the late Rabbi Dr. Israel Rivkin, z”l for the incredible amount of work he did growing the Jewish communities of Edison and Highland Park.

More than 200 people gathered on a blustery Sunday morning at the courts at the intersection of North 8th Avenue and Celler Road in Edison for the renaming ceremony on April 27. In addition to Rabbi Yaakov Luban, rabbi emeritus of Edison’s Congregation Ohr Torah, Rabbi Gedaliah Jaffe of Congregation Ahavas Yisrael in Edison, Mayor Sam Joshi of Edison, and other elected officials, several generations of the Rivkin family were in attendance, including Rabbi Rivkin’s wife, Rebecca, who came from her home in Israel for the ceremony.

“I had the privilege of working with Rabbi Dr. Izzy Rivkin for several years,” said Rabbi Jaffe. “He was a fearless advocate for our community, always ensuring that our needs were heard and addressed by the appropriate government officials. It was truly a pleasure to work alongside him.

Rabbi Rifkin embodied moral clarity and courage, and it’s a fitting tribute that these courts now carry his name. As people walk by, they will be reminded of the remarkable individual who served our community with such dedication.”

Having moved to the area in 1968, Rabbi Rivkin foresaw the need for a community eruv as a means to expand and grow the Jewish presence in the Edison/Highland Park area to the vibrant community it is today. In his quiet and unassuming way he took the lead in coordinating with the transit authority to allow the eruv to be built on their property. He served as a liaison between the community and elected officials in many matters and was instrumental in the growth of many resources that newcomers to the community take for granted: a dedicated area to burn chametz before Passover, parks and playgrounds within walking distance to the Jewish community, and multiple restaurants, schools and Orthodox synagogues

“I am grateful to have spoken to Rabbi Rivkin on a video call prior to his passing to inform him that we would rename the courts in his honor,” said Joshi. “Even from his hospital bed, Rabbi Rivkin continued to inquire about the well-being of his community in Edison.”

Shmuel also played an integral role in honoring Rabbi Rivkin’s legacy. He hand delivered a Mayoral Proclamation to Rabbi Rivkin in Israel just days before his passing. “It is a distinct privilege to dedicate these newly refurbished courts in honor of such an extraordinary individual whose dedication has profoundly shaped our community,” said Shmuel. “May his enduring legacy serve as a guiding light for future generations in Edison.”

The program began with a welcome and overview of Rabbi Rivkin’s accomplishments by Shmuel followed by Joshi’s comments. The unveiling of the sign naming the area Rivkin Courts brought a standing ovation that was then followed by various speakers who spoke of their friendship and admiration for the work of Rabbi Rivkin. State Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan and State Rep. Robert Karabinchak spoke about how it was an honor to see the high turnout to honor the storied legacy of someone who cared so much about the community and whom they considered a mentor.

Rabbi Luban remarked how special it was to see so many of Rabbi Rivkin’s family members and joked that the weather would have been better if the honoree had been present as he “would have arranged for it. It was a brilliant idea to name tennis courts for Rabbi Rivkin, as it is a game of engagement. And that is what he did — engage people. He was as engaged with our community after he moved to Israel as he was when he lived here.”

The Rivkins’ oldest daughter, Tova Kestenbaum, movingly spoke about the “pleasures and joy of growing up in the area” and playing in this park, never dreaming that one day it would be named for her father. Referring to the Torah portion of that week where commentaries describe Aaron becoming the Kohen Gadol as both his calling and his destiny, and how her father’s calling and destiny used his humble manner and behind-the-scenes approach to accomplish so much good.

His “quiet acts of service were driven by deep care of the community. He treasured the friendships of neighbors, community leaders and political figures. The outpouring of love and cherished memories shared at the shiva brought immense comfort and underscore the profound impact he had on so many lives,” said Kestenbaum.

Edison Councilman Joe Coyle read a mayoral proclamation acknowledging Rabbi Rivkin’s many accomplishments and numerous contributions to the community, including the establishment of the Kehilla of Raritan Valley (a political advocacy organization), after which Shmuel closed the program and opened the courts.