V

Hundreds mourn the death of a 30-year-old dentist who was
loved for his quiet strength; and devotion to Judaism.

ALAN HITSKY ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Dr. Maurice Philip tierschius

ometimes
HaKodesh
Borchu (the Holy One)

H NEWS

IT JEWIS

THE DETRO

14

sees fit to pick from the
special garden of special
roses," Rabbi Yoel Sperka
said.
His words, opening the
memorial service Sunday
for Dr. Maurice Philip
Herschfus, brought tears
to hundreds of mourners
who sat and stood inside
and outside Hebrew
Memorial Chapel.
Four rabbis and his two
brothers paid tribute to
Dr. Herschfus during the
90-minute service. The 30-
year-old dentist died April
17 in Boston after a seven-
year battle against aplas-

tic anemia and leukemia.
Rabbi Sperka recalled
the words of his late
grandfather, who referred
to his grandson as the ley
toy, the good heart. During
his illness, Dr. Herschfus
often told his father, Dr.
Leon Herschfus, that he
regretted the pain he was
causing his parents but
not the pain he was suffer-
ing.
Dr. Marc Herschfus said
learning Torah was an
integral part of his broth-
er's life. "He continued his
shiur (study lesson), even
by telephone from the hos-
pital. And he walked to
shut wearing a mask." He
participated in daf yomi,
daily Talmud study, as
well as the weekly shiur.
Several blood screening
drives were held last year
in an effort to find a bone
marrow donor compatible
for Dr. Herschfus. When a
suitable match was not
found, the family decided
to use marrow from Dr.
and Mrs. Herschfus' young
daughter, Ariana Paige.
Dr. Herschfus received
the transplant from his
daughter two weeks ago in
Boston, and both were

"Everything he
went through, he
was always
smiling."

recovering well. Doctors
were encouraged that the
transplant was "taking."
Then on April 13, Dr.
Herschfus suffered a mas-
sive brain hemorrhage. He
died on Shabbat, four days

later.
these last two years, and
"He lived his life the
Leon was proud of his
way Halachah requires,
son's membership on the
the way Halachah de-
Detroit District Dental
mands," his brother said.
Society's peer review com-
Dr. Herschfus was a
mittee and the pro bono
graduate of Yeshiva Beth
service he provided mem-
Yehudah, Wayne State
bers of the Jewish commu-
University and the
nity.
University of Detroit's
In 1986, Brian said, dur-
dental school. Since the
ing treatment in Seattle,
age of 16, he taught at
Dr. Herschfus was told he
Flint's Temple Beth El
had a 10 percent chance
Ivria religious school. In
for survival. "The doctor
recent years, despite a new
was astonished when
dental practice and his
Maurice said he would get
marriage, he taught He-
the other 90 percent.
brew school in Windsor
`Where?' asked the doctor.
and at Congregation
`From God,' was his reply."
Shaarey Zedek in South-
Rabbi Jacobowitz told
field.
the mourners Sunday that
"Everything he went
eulogies were not allowed
through, he was always
during the Hebrew month
smiling. As difficult as it
of Mimi. "The only excep-
was, it was never too diffi-
tion is for Talmud
cult," said his wife, Beth,
chachamim (scholars),
this week. "He was always
and Dr. Herschfus was
seeing the good in every-
that. He was a righteous
thing.
person. He loved every day
"As much as he didn't
to see good."
want to go (die) because of
The rabbi consoled the
his family, he had such
audience by comparing Dr.
faith that he wasn't afraid
Herschfus to a space satel-
of death."
lite. "Sometimes," he said,
Other speakers at Sun-
"a short-lived space satel-
day's service included
lite does much more good
Rabbis Avraham Jacobo-
than one that lasts much
witz, Odom Ribiat and Leo
longer."
Goldman, and Brian
A fund in his memory is
Herschfus.
being established at B'nai
Brian recalled his late
Israel Beth Yehudah for
brother's concern for . oth-
needy brides and grooms
ers during his long illness.
(H-K Fund).
Dr. Herschfus begged his
Dr. Herschfus' survivors
father to • discontinue
include his wife, Beth;
donating platelets because
daughter, Ariana Paige;
it would often leave his
parents, Dr. Leon and
father bruised. "He was
Rayetta of Southfield;
more worried about me
brothers and sister-in-law,
than he was about him- Dr. Marc, Brian and Fern,
self," Dr. Leon Herschfus
all of Southfield; and sister
said.
and brother-in-law,
Father and son prac-
Andrea and Bryan Bier of
ticed dentistry together
West Orange, N.J.

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