BDE: Dr. Seymour Lachman, z”l, High-Ranking Politician and Askan

YS GOLD 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Dr. Seymour Lachman, an important figure in New York politics, and a one of the first frum Yidden to enter the political arena. He was 91 years of age, and lived his life as a public servant. 

He was born in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn in 1933 to Louis and Sarah Lachman, who had emigrated from Europe between the two World Wars.

“Back in Poland,” he reflected in an interview to Mishpacha, “my father had been a talmid chacham, someone who spoke six or seven languages. But when he came to America, my earliest memory of him was working for the WPA digging ditches after losing his candy store during the Great Depression. I asked myself, How could this be? This is a great nation, where anyone can do anything. And I told myself I would try do something to benefit not only the Jews of America but all Jews. Although I never explicitly stated it, that was always behind everything I did.”

Dr. Lachman went on to serve in New York City’s Board of Education, and later as a New York State Senator. He authored a number of books as well, and wherever he went, he was mekadesh sheim Shomayim. 

Agudath Israel’s Rabbi Yeruchim Silber posted the following statement: “I was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Seymour Lachman, president of the NYC Board of Education in the 1970's and later as the first orthodox Jew to serve in the New York State Senate. He worked closely with Agudath Israel of America and its president Rabbi Moshe Sherer on many important initiatives.” 

Rabbi Sherer not only considered Seymour an ally in the Agudah’s various struggles to protect and advance Orthodox Jewish interests, but also a great asset in repairing the frum community’s image at a time when it was at a particular low point due to certain very public scandals involving Orthodox individuals. In 1975, Rabbi Sherer made a concerted effort, albeit ultimately unsuccessfully, to lobby Governor Carey’s administration to appoint Dr. Lachman to the New York State Board of Regents. The reason, he wrote, was his conviction that “in light of recent blemishes on the public Orthodox Jewish image, it is imperative for us to focus a spotlight on an openly Orthodox Jewish personality in high public office.”

Dr. Lachman’s Levaya will take place in Shomrei Hadas Chapels at 10:00 Friday morning. To watch the Levaye live click here.

Yehi zichro baruch.