Pierre (Chaim) Klein

Dear Mindy and your entire family, we are very sorry for your loss. With love Sylvia and Zanvel Stern

Sorry to hear of the loss of Chaim. We had many long talks together at Chat. I hope his memory serves as a blessing to you all.

Dear Klein Family, Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Klein was by far my favourite teacher at CHAT. We both started there in 1996 and he taught me Jewish History during both of our first years. I have no doubt that you will hear from numerous former students about the impact that Mr. Klein had on their lives, but, for me, Mr. Klein gave me a voracious appetite for reading and an overall love of learning. He helped transform a 14 year-old adolescent into a knowledgeable and proud Jew. Mr. Klein treated us differently from all of our other teachers. As he had been in the business world for many years, he was just getting back into teaching and treated us as equals, where he encouraged us to voice our opinions based on our reading materials and he actively listened and engaged with us in classroom discussion. I will always remember the typed up questions that Mr. Klein would hand out, with great care taken to ask thoughtful questions with a wide and varied vocabulary. In Grade 12, I specifically advocated for a Torah class to be taught primarily in English, so we could actually understand and debate the text in a meaningful and intellectual manner. Of course, there was no one that I would ask to teach the class other than Mr. Klein and he agreed and was up for the challenge. To this day, I have discussed with my own family some of the beautiful teachings that he taught our class about the Book of Genesis. In fact, I shared the Jewish perspective of creation that Mr. Klein had taught me just a few weeks ago at the Creation Museum in Kentucky, U.S.A. Thank you for all that you did, Mr. Klein, and I hope that the Klein family finds comfort in not only their cherished memories, but also the numerous lives that Mr. Klein touched and the proud Jews that he educated both inside the classroom and by example.

We were never fortunate enough to meet Reb Chaim but from the family he raised and the legacy he left behind it is apparent that he was an אוהב שלוםז and a great defender of the Jewish people. May his memory be a blessing for all of Klal Yisroel.

Chaim You were always someone who was ready to share a smile, thoughts, opinions, and an article. I will miss our discussions and debates.

So so sorry for your loss. Chaim was a great educator who inspired everyone around him. He was a proud Conservative and very principled. He would often share with me interesting articles and voice his opinions on current events. He was not afraid to stand up for what’s right - he knew I appreciated that. We will miss him at CHAT.

Dear Mindy and Family, Our sincere condolences on the untimely passing of your dear husband Chaim, my colleague for 27 years. May his memory be for a blessing. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים Beni and Judy Machtinger

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Klein’s passing. He was one of the best teachers I had at CHAT. He truly understood my potential and ensured I was supported. He was so caring and supportive and always looked out for his students. May his memory be a blessing.

To my dear cousin Mindy and family, Our heartfelt condolences to you all at this time. We have such fond memories of meeting with you and Chaim (Z”L) years ago in your condo. What a legend he was to all whose lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing as he continues to watch over you all from a place where he is now whole and healthy again. B”H With love, Marianne & Gerry (in Az)

Sending so much love and my condolences. Mr. Klein was such an inspiring teacher and one of the kindest souls I have ever met. Truly heartbroken. Wishing my best in this difficult time.

What a tragedy. He was amazing teacher that challenged students and pushed them to think outside of the box. A very special person. He will always be remembered for his whit, humour and passion for education. He will be greatly missed.

I am so sad and heartbroken to hear the news of Chaim's passing. He was such an incredible teacher and I enjoyed walking by his classroom, listening to him challenging his students to think for themselves and voice their own opinions. Chaim and I worked together at Chat and he made a difference in so many peoples lives. I will miss seeing him and chatting with him at school. May his memory be a blessing and may you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. May you have no more sorrow.

So sad to hear the new about Mr Klein. He was my teacher in high school and he was one of those teachers that made you really think and work hard. It was always fun going to Mr Kleins classroom. He had away of making you want to ask questions and know more. He will be missed by many.

Mr. Klein was one of the most influential teachers in my life. He truly encouraged his students to think for themselves and showed such a high degree of respect to each one of them. To this day, I still think about the lessons he taught and they have most definitely shaped the person I am today. Very sorry for your loss.

Peter Klein as I knew him in the wholesale business when we met. He was a pleasure to deal with. Honest and helpful. He noticed my warehouse did not have a Mezuzah on the door and showed up and installed and did the blessings. He was a real mensch BDE

Mr. Klein was my teacher at CHAT, and he left a lasting impression on me. He was open-minded, a critical thinker and an honest man. He would challenge his students, but his compassion and warmth were infinite. Since graduating, I have enjoyed a decade of his weekly emails. There was something special about his class. He probably deviated from the curriculum, but for that reason his classes were the most exciting and memorable. He inspired many students, like myself, to be proud jews, passionate Zionists and most importantly, independent thinkers. BDE & may his memory be a blessing. - Benjamin Weingarten

Dearest Mindy, In our shock and haste we inadvertently omitted your name on our condolence message as you can see. Sending this follow up correction.

Dearest Mindy and the Klein Family, I was so sorry to hear of Chaim’s passing. My sincerest and deepest condolences to all of you. Hoping that in time, you will be comforted by the memories of times shared together. Warmly, Carol

Dear Mindy and family. Sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Chaim. Not only was he an exceptional husband, father and grandfather, he was an exceptional educator who shared his wisdom and love of Judaism with hundreds of students who, to this day, feel his impact. So generous with his time and a mentor to so many. He will be greatly missed. May you all find comfort in the memories of the wonderful life you shared together and mat his memory always be a blessing.

Willy and I are thinking of you all at this very difficult time..sending hugs..

dear Mindy and girls, I will watch the funeral online. May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

BDE ,Mindy ,Deena ,Isaac and family I'm very sorry and chocked to hear of Chaim's passing and my deepest condolences to the entire family. Chaim was very special ,funny and happy, entertaining. and had a wonderful sense of humour .He will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him. May his memory always be a blessing .Lou Elmaleh

It has been 20 years since I graduated from CHAT, but I have wonderful memories of Mr. Klein's Jewish Ethics class in Grade 12. I always looked forward to his class. He encouraged us to think critically and to discuss the major political and social topics of the day. He had a wonderful sense of humour. He was one of the most memorable teachers that I ever had as a student. May his memory be for a blessing.

Mindy and family, we are so sorry for the tremendous loss of such an extraordinary human. How do you say enough about a giant like Chaim. A kind, reliable, brilliant man. An educator, a thinker, a pious, humble, brilliant mind. This is truly a loss for the entire community and for the Jewish people. Baruch Dayan HaEmes

I was fortunate to have Chaim in my life as a colleague and close friend. His wisdom and support have had a profound influence on my life and career. I will always cherish the lessons he taught me and the memories we shared. Chaim was a beacon of wisdom for thousands of students. His influence was profound, shaping the lives and minds of generations who passed through his classroom. One thing I loved about Chaim was that he possessed an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge—almost encyclopedic in character—yet he never made those around him feel lesser for not having the same. Instead, he elevated everyone around him. I cannot speak of Chaim without citing his favorite Jewish thinker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Sacks writes, "Education means teaching a child to live in a world that does not yet exist." Chaim embodied this principle, preparing his students not just for exams but for life. He saw the potential in each of his students and nurtured it with patience, kindness, and an unwavering belief in their ability to succeed. His classroom was truly a sanctuary of learning, where ideas flowed freely, and respect was mutual. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with the family. May you find comfort in the memories of Chaim’s remarkable life and the love and respect he garnered from all who knew him. His warmth and brilliance will forever remain in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know him. Baruch Dayan HaEmet.

We at Bikur Cholim were very saddened to hear of Chaims passing. Chaim was loved by everyone who met him as he made everyone feel special. To Mindy, Gila, Deena and Aviva, you have beautiful memories to hold on to. Chaim was always so proud of all of his girls. He always said he was the luckiest guy in the world . May he be a meilitz yosher for all of you and may his neshama have an aliyah. Chaim will be sorely missed.

Dear Mindy, Gilah, Deena, and Aviva, we have such fond memories of your father. He was truly a kind hearted man and will be missed. Marni and Oren

Derest Mindy, Gila, Deena, Aviva and Grandchildren, - I am deeply heartbroken at the news that Beloved Chaim was Niftar. YEHI ZICHRO BARUCH

We were so sad to hear about Uncle Haim’s passing when we tuned in after Shabbat in Israel. Uncle Haim was always filled with love and excitement for all of us when we visited, but most of all curiosity… he wanted to know what we were thinking about, what we were learning, what book we wanted to take home with us from his bookshelf and he always shared with us his newest findings And so generously said ‘take it with you back home to Israel’ one day we will come too! We will miss our visits with him and we hope And pray we can learn from him to always stay curious about the people around us and about new ideas to ponder in the world And especially in the Torah world. Thank you for your love uncle Haim and sending love to the entire family

Nacson family deep condolences to the lose of our teacher and mentor. Min Hashamayim Tenachamu

Dearest Mindy and family. We’re so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, father and grandfather Chaim. May his memory be a blessing and his neshoma have an Aliya. Wishing you all long life Ramon and Bev Chait

Dear Klein girls It is truly with great sadness that we heard of chair's פטירה. I personally feel a sincere loss. Chaim bought me my first Rabbi Sacks book many years ago which introduced me to his writings. I spoke to him Every few weeks while we were in Israel and we both looked forward to those conversations and I certainly looked forward to his emails. He had a huge impact on many of the Chat students giving the. His unique perspective, He was also extremely proud of all his girls, especially you Mindy for taking care of him. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבילי ציון וירושלים

Mindy, Deena and family I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. May your memories be a blessing.

Dear Mindy and Family, Our most sincere condolences. He will always be fondly remembered and sorely missed. May Chaim’s z’l memory be for a blessing. Lorna, Marvin and Deborah

Chaim was a teacher par excellance. Just to prove my point, where else would one find students flocking to their teacher on a Shabbat afternoon? I witnessed that many times when I was privileged to attend his analysis of the Parsha or other subjects where Chaim wanted to emphasize a message for us. One of his most endearing characteristics was that he was מקבל אדם בסבר פ נ י ם יפות. I will miss his emails and his words of wisdom. May you know of no more sorrow. If לימוד משניות is being set up, I would like to participate. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים יהי זכרו ברוך

We are beyond saddened to learn of Chaim's passing. As a teenager, the Kleins were amazing neighbours. As an adult I loved sharing ideas with Chaim via email. ברוך דיין האמת

Dearest Mindy and family, The funeral was such a wonderful tribute to a very special man. I said it to Chaim on Monday and to you moitzei Shabbat. I experienced the same feelings about Chaim in the late sixties as his students express here. He found value and worth in me , mentoring me in my readings, helping me with term papers and just always being there. Min, it made me feel so happy watching two of my favourites people falling in love with each other.And just look at the wonderful family you created. I’ll always be here for you. Love, Sheila

Moving onto Maimonides was the greatest gift the Kleins bestowed onto the Zaionz/Winkler clan. We had the honour of participating in so many get togethers, discussions and debates with Chaim as well as benefiting from the weekly shabbos treats. We are lucky to have been a small part of Chaim's amazing journey. The memories will be cherished always. Sending big love

Dear Mindy and family, We are saddened to learn of Chaim’s passing. We have great memories of Chaim through decades of knowing the two of you and your “girls.” May his memory be for a blessing. Carol and Peter Seidman and family.

Dearest Mindy, I am sending my deepest condolences to you and your whole family! Chaim was one of the very best!! You two were an amazing team and you were very generous and welcoming to the Jewish community. May his memory be a blessing

Dear Mindy and Family. We are saddened to hear about the passing of Chaim. May you all be comforted among the mourners of Zion. Joel and Annie TENCER

Dear Mindy and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Kathy Laszlo and all of us at DANI

Dear Mindy and Family: The best possible gift that the Zaionz/Winkler family received was when you moved on to Maimonides Court. Such a beautiful and meaningful friendship evolved so many years ago and we shared each other's children's high school graduations, university graduations, boyfriends, girlfriend, engagements, weddings and the treasure of grandchildren. So sadly now, the final life cycle. Chiam had a remarkable influence on countless people of all ages. He introduced me to dozens of American authors and wouldchallenge me with discussions that were definitely thought provoking. During his illness he contnued to include me in his email list on endless topics - be it political, religious, changing society norms - and I always responded, albeit dfinitely not up to his level of intellect. Now I feel as though a bright light has been extinguished and this is confirmed by the standing rom only at yesterday's service. BDE Chiam, special friend, special neighbour.

Amongst his many remarkable attributes, Chaim Klein exemplified the words of the prayer אחינו כל בית ישראל - our brothers the whole house of Israel - with emphasis on the word כל - the entire spectrum of the Jewish people wherever they might be.

Baroukh Dayan haemeth sorry for your lost

Dear Mindy and family, we are deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Klein, a remarkable teacher and mentor. His legacy lives on through the wisdom and knowledge he shared with our children. We are grateful for the opportunity to have known him and will always remember him fondly. Love, Elise, David, Alex, Ari, and Chaya

Dear Klein Families, Sending my condolences on the loss of Mr. Klein z'l. I was a student of his at CHAT for 3 years (2017 GRAD). I always looked forward to his classes each week and always enjoyed the knowledge that he shared with me and his students. Three distinct memories come to mind when I think of Mr. Klein; He invited my classmates and I on numerous occasions to his condo for exam study sessions which I thought was extremely generous. Whenever I saw Mr. Klein in class he always had a diet coke. Lastly, he was always kind and supportive when students needed help. He will be very much missed, as he was the best teacher! Aaron Kerzner

Dearest Mindy, Gila, Deena and Aviva, We were so so sad to hear of the passing of our special cousin Chaim, a'h. We have so many fond memories and reasons to smile when we recall them. His love of teaching and every Jew filled the room. We wish we could be there in person, but we send our love and condolences from afar from the bottom of our hearts. May Hashem comfort you as only He can do that after such a loss. Love Ruthie and Eliyahu (aka Elliot)

Chaim was a superb teacher beloved to his students and respected by his colleagues. My discussions with him were an intellectual treat. It was my privilege to have known him and worked together with him. Much comfort to all the members of the family.

Dearest Mindy and family, Am so sad to learn of Chaim's passing. Have not seen Chaim for a few years and did not know he was not well. I am so grateful to have met Chaim and to have had the pleasure of his presence on the March of the Living. He was a most extraordinary chaperone. He had such a magical way of thinking and teaching and his respect for each child and non judgemental attention to every one of them was a gift. I adored the gift of Chaim. May his memory be for a blessing.

I received the shocking and heartbreaking news of R' Chaim Klein's passing while I was in Israel. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the funeral and offer my condolences in person to the dear family, who truly deserved to be comforted by the presence of everyone who knew him. First and foremost, Chaim was a "Mentche" through and through in all his ways and in his leadership. He spoke softly and respectfully to everyone, young and old, with warmth and a genuine desire to listen. His approach to education went beyond mere words and teaching. It was exemplified by the way he treated every person and every opinion with respect, even if he did not completely agree with the other opinion. His ability to listen was an educational value that is so rare nowadays, and he taught us how to listen not with his words but through his living example. Chaim Klein was a true intellectual. He read hundreds, if not thousands, of books across many fields and was well-versed in the philosophies and teachings of numerous thinkers. Talking to him about any subject was a pure intellectual pleasure. The more I conversed with him, the more I was amazed by his profound knowledge and his rare ability to delve deeply into a wide range of topics. He included me in his email distribution list, where he shared musings, articles, and recommendations for reading books, watching interviews, and reading current articles that illuminated the thoughts of politicians and leaders, and yes, he often spoke about leaders whose main leadership quality was how not to lead. I was waiting for his emails and will miss them a lot. He loved every Jew of Am Israel, and he loved the Torah of Israel with all his heart. Because of this love, he was pained by any pretense or misrepresentation by certain political and religious leaders, whom he felt did not honor the Torah of Israel. Even his criticism stemmed from a place of pure love and integrity. Teaching was in his soul and blood. Last year, when he sometimes could barely walk, I begged him (like many others) to take care of his health and stay home to recover. His response was prophetic: "If I stay at home without teaching, I won't live long." His heart knew the truth, and so it happened. Each of his students knew two things: Mr. Klein demanded that they think critically and be authentic. At the same time, they knew that he wanted their success and progress. Many of his students will testify that he was a one-of-a-kind teacher who taught them to think independently. I once called him the Socrates of CHAT, and he told me that was the highest compliment he could have received. Like Socrates, he demanded his students question, investigate, and reach true insights based on sources and human logic. In the six years that I have known him, I have learned to appreciate and admire his intelligence, experience, and vast knowledge. Whenever I sought his opinion on curricula or other matters, he would lay out his views, always offering innovative and insightful analysis. Despite his remarkable intellectual sharpness, Reb Chaim had a wonderful sweetness that everyone sensed. His way of speaking, his abundant smile, and his gentle wit endeared him to all of us, students and teachers alike. The loss of Reb Chaim Klein is, first and foremost, a loss to his family, who were a source of immense pride for him. He never missed an opportunity to speak of his children and grandchildren with undisguised pride. It is also a loss to the large TanenbaumCHAT community and to the entire Jewish community. חבל על דאבדין ולא משתכחין! We will remember you forever with profound love, R' Chaim. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

Bs'D Mindy and family: We were shocked and saddened to learn of your dear husband and father's petirah earlier today. We wish you much strength during this time. Is anyone sitting Shiva in Israel? Eli would like to pay his respects to you. Mr. Klein taught him at Darchei many years ago. May his neshema have an aliyah.

Mr. Klein was my favorite professor at Darchei, his philosophy class was a sanctuary where minds were opened and hard questions could be queried. His method of teaching challenged us to think critically, to question everything, and to develop the analytical skills essential for navigating life's complexities. Mr. Klein's influence extended beyond our intellectual growth. He was committed to helping us become better people, instilling in us the values of integrity, compassion, respect and family values.He lived by these principles, showing us that living a respectable life requires courage and unwavering commitment. He taught us to weave Jewish values, drawn from history and text, into the fabric of our daily lives. Mr. Klein profoundly shaped my life, instilling in me the importance of questioning, deep reflection, and steadfast adherence to my values. For me, Mr. Klein was more than just a teacher; Being a part of his class led me to embody the wisdom of "Asei licha Rav ukoneh licha chaver" He was a mentor and a cherished friend. His legacy endures in our hearts, reminding us that in life is not just an academic pursuit but a journey to find truth and happiness.

Our sympathy from the Stolovitsky Family.

Dear Mindy and family, We were so saddened to hear of the passing of your dear husband Chaim z"l. May HaShem give you strength and serenity during these difficult times and may you find peace and happiness in all the beautiful memories you shared with him. Hamakom yenachem etchem betoch Shaarei avalei Yerushalayim. Sincerely, Annie & Paul Samuel

We are very sorry to hear of the petira of your father

I am heartbroken to hear about Mr. Klein. My name is Jonathan Shriqui and Mr. Klein was my teacher back at CHAT. I have long since graduated and even longer since been in Mr. Klein's class, but I have never forgotten the lessons he taught me or the conversations we would have. I admit, I was not the most well-behaved student in his class, but not once did Mr. Klein treat me with anything less than absolute respect. We would have incredibly in-depth discussions about politics and ethics, and he would treat these conversations with as much importance as the regular material he would teach in class. Mr. Klein taught me far about life than any other teacher. He helped shape me into the man I am today and his lessons will without a doubt have an impact on my future children and all of my family's future generations. What an honour to be a part of Mr. Klein's class and to learn from him. May his memory be a blessing. Warmest regards, Jonathan Shriqui

My name is Sam. I was one of Chaim's students at CHAT. His class was my favourite. It helped me think critically and examine history and life through real world events and with practical, current topics, as opposed to a textbook. I always felt warm and welcomed and more importantly driven and impassioned during his lessons and discussions. It was through CHAT's newsletter that I heard about his passing and I was incredibly saddened. He was my teacher but more than that, during my time at CHAT he was a mentor and a friend. I think of him often and picture him at the top of the circle of chairs leading a lively discussion about some current topic. I will miss him greatly - the world has lost an incredible educator and a good man.