Birth date: Apr 20, 1941 Death date: Oct 21, 2025
fearless individual: mountain climber, soccer player, cross-country motorcyclist, flamenco guitarist, storyteller, teacher, counselor, writer, poet, mystic Mitchell Chefitz, husband of Walli, father of Walter (Adena Ellenby), Jos Read Obituary
Dear Wally,
Mitch was clearly a “Renaissance man,” with talents in so many areas. I always thought of him as an intellectual with a quirky sense of humor. This stems from the memory of him conducting a Purim service at Beth Am, wearing a necklace of beer cans! Of course he got and kept the attention of everyone in the congregation while also delivering a meaningful message.
Andy and I send condolences to you and your family.
Warm regards,
Jane
Dear Wally, Walter, Joshua, Adam and families,
We are so sorry for your loss. Rabbi Chevitz made us really think about being a Jew. His loss will be felt by a community of all the lives he touched.
Betty and Dan Weingrad
Mitch was a formative force in my life. I grew up going to the Chefitz household to spend time with my best friend, Adam, and together, we shared meals, a passion for games, basketball, the quiet of Saturday and Sunday mornings. I felt an abstract, unspoken, if not spiritual comfort knowing that the household was being held together by Walli and Mitch, not just because of their guidance, but because of their shared passion for creativity and connection.
I recall my initial encounter with Rabbi Chefitz when we both discovered I would be among his first Bar Mitzvah students at Temple Beth Am around 1975. Years later, I happened upon him at a funeral he was officiating. What consistently impressed me whenever I saw him was his remarkable intellect, his serene and thoughtfully articulated messages, and his intense yet understanding smile. His profound wisdom, emotional intelligence, and unwavering commitment were truly exceptional. He instilled in me the importance of inquiry, thorough investigation, and never settling. Although decades have passed since our last meeting, I often reflect on him and am grateful for the privilege of having had him in my life, particularly during my formative years. I am certain he will be greatly missed, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have known him.
Dr David Ruttenberg
Palm Beach, Florida
Rabbi Mitch officiated at our wedding in 1994. Lisa and I were unaffiliated at the time, so asking Mitch to marry us was by choice and not default. We’re still married 30 years later, so in addition to his many other accomplishments, one can add birthing marriages. Having known Mitch and Walli from his havurah years to his serving as rabbi at Temple Israel, I can testify to his many wonderful attributes. In many ways, he was a true Renaissance individual, but most importantly, he was a good person. He will be missed, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to Walli and the family. May his memory be for a blessing.
