On Sunday, March 1, members of the Jewish community of Bergen County and surrounding areas gathered for the unveiling of a street sign officially marking Harold Gellis Way. The street was renamed in honor of Harold Gellis, z”l, a beloved Teaneck resident who passed away last year. Stationed at the corner of Queen Anne Road and Carlton Terrace, the unveiling assembled a large crowd and included a ceremony with speeches from Rabbi Larry Rothwachs; Teaneck deputy mayors Mark Schwartz and Elie Y. Katz, and Gellis’ son, Jonathan Gellis. The renaming will remain in effect for three months, and a second sign marking the new name has been set up on the corner of Palisade Avenue and Carlton.
Harold was a very involved community member, known for his kindness and leadership. The speakers spoke highly of him and with great affection, detailing the many ways he helped out in his community. The street now named for him was actually the one he once lived on since the ’70s. One speaker shared how Harold, since he was the first of the neighbors to get a snowblower, would use it to clear the entire block’s pathways when it snowed, including driveways if requested. Speaking with The Jewish Link in an interview, Deputy Mayor Katz spoke about his relationship with Harold, and detailed what his steadfast involvement meant to the community.
“[Harold] was a community leader, and a good friend to many of the neighbors,” Katz explained. “He was always helping, and he was active in safety programming with me personally. In 2011 we launched the first safety belt program, when most people didn’t even think about wearing them. He was a very good man, and he and his family have done so much for Teaneck, and the neighborhood. He is missed.”
The renaming, which took place on Harold’s one-year yahrzeit, came about when Deputy Mayor Mark (Mendy) Schwartz, who was in contact with his family, suggested the idea to the Teaneck town council as a way to honor him. After receiving approval, the renaming was officially set.
Harold was a member of Congregation Beth Aaron, and its members especially came out for the renaming. Amongst the crowd, many could be heard sharing their own stories and experiences with him, discussing the various ways he impacted their lives.
“He would have loved this, but this is not the reason why [my father] ever did anything,” Jonathan Gellis shared at the renaming. “When people would ask for his help, or his advice, or to borrow something, it wasn’t in his nature to just lend you something and tell you to figure it out. He would say, ‘What do you need?’ ‘What’s the problem?’ ‘Let me come over and help you.’”
Harold was described as someone who had the innate ability to make friends with anyone he met. He took on active roles in the community to ensure that he was helping as many people as possible, and was always eager to lend his advice to those in need of it.
“My father really tried to make this community his own,” Jonathan went on to say. “He went around and he helped whoever he could. He hated walking into any place and not being known. He wanted to find out about people’s lives, and was so happy to tell them about all the things going on in his life, good or bad. … [My family] is taken aback at the number of people who have shown up today. It’s really amazing, and it’s a fitting tribute to him.”
Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.
By Adam Samuel
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