The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-30
THE RABBI FELL DEAD
HIS WIFE LOSES HER MIND As A
RESULT OF HER GREAT GRIEF.
Tragedy Following the Holiday Serv-
ices, Which Louis Sheresefsky
Conducted mt Sharah Tafella.

LOUIS SnereSefSky, RABBI OF the Snardh
Tefella Hebrew congregation. on South
Meridian street, died suddenly yesterday
afternoon, a few minutes after lecturing
to his congregation upon the Ten Com
mandments. The lecture began a little be-
fore 3 o'clock and ended after 5. The little
frame church was crowded, for il Was a
holiday with the Hebrews. After complet-
ing his DISCOURSE, the rabbi asked to be
excused from prayers. From the church he
walked TO his home at the corner of Nor
wood and Illinois streets. about one square
away. Witnesses say he walked with his
eyes toward heaven, his head uncovered
and one hand over his heart. Reaching the
side of his home he staggered and fell
soon after he had entered. In a few min
utes, about $50 o'clock, he was dead. His
wife was notified and wnen she approached
the house and heard that her husband was
dead, she fell in a swoon. When she re-
vived her mind was a wreck and her lam
entations were most pitiful. She continued
to rave last evening and the doctors fear
that her mind is permanently unbalanced.
Rabbi Sheresefsky was more than a rabbi
of the orthodox Hebrew church. His au-
thority extended over that of a rabbi and
his reputation is national as a learned
40 % HiiA stdlS Olu
and a Russian by birth. He came to In
dianapolis about eighteen months ago from
Philadelphia, having previously resided in
Des Moines, la. He was much loved by the
people of the Sharah Tefella congrega-
ton. so when it became known that he
was TO preach to them yesterday, the little
synagogue was packed. The services were
held during the warmest part of the aft
ernoon. 1t was observed that after
a T1ml n nrnanhfnD pnhhf
course was finished. Members of the
congregation say. he never preached so well
as he did yesterday. His remarks were
full or thought, charity and love. II is said
by some that since the death of their rabbi
they believe he had a premonition OF what
was TO come. He asked them to think well
of him and believe what he was saying,
and If anything he said differed from their
will toward him. After finishing his re-
marks the rabbi went without and took a
drink of water. He sent word back to the
congregation complaining of fatigue and
asking TO be excused from prayers. Then
he began his walk home under a blazing
sun and 1t proved a walk TO his deathbed.
IL each step required exertion, say they
will never forget the sight of the beloved
rabbi with his face toward heaven and his
hand to his breast, and his head uncovered.
His children were at home when he ar
rived and they ummoned aid. Or. Culyert
was called but the rabbi was beyond help.
AAt a ntNS DIS Otu L u the menu
bers of the Sharah Tefella congregation
announcing to them the death of their
pastor, the widest grief was manifest. The
congregation. with the memory of his
words still fresh, could not believe that he
was really dead. There was "a rush for his
and the crowd which surrounded the
two-story brick house occupied by the
rabbi and his family numbered several
hundred. There was weeping and wailing,
and when Mrs. Sheresefsky arrived from the
sick bed of a neighbor she knew that her
husband was dead. Kind friends attempted
to soothe her. but all to no avail. She
rushed into the house and threw herself
across the lifeless body of her husband.
She tore his clothing and called upon him
TO speak, and she raised his eyelids, trying
to get him to recognize her. The children
gathered about, weeping and Sobbing. add
ing TO the sadness of the s2ene. Mrs.
Sheresefsky was frantic, and so wild did
She become that it became Necessary TO
administer opiates, which failed 10 bring
relief. Neighbors held her to prevent harm
coming to her or any one else. Last night
the distracted woman's condition was un-
changed. A large crowd surrounded the
house, looking in at the windows. Some
were friends and others were attracted
Wept. with a n%eighbor holding either hand.
She talked wildly in Hebrew, bemoaning
her loss, and occasionally she would break
forth with a Hebrew hymn. Her condition
was precarious.
According TO the customs of the church.
the body OF the dead rabbi should have
been buried last n~ight-upon the same day
burial will not take place until Friday.
The Hebrews, that is the orthodox sect,
celebrated yesterday, and they will to-day,
1sraelites. or the day upon which they
received the book.
Rabbi Sheresefsky leaves six children.
the Oldest of whom is aged fifteen. He leaves
no property. as his whole life has been
spent in the work of the church., and he
has saved nothing.