Brooklyn Mourns The Loss Of Rabbi Abraham Abraham


by on May 19th, 2011

Rabbi Abraham Abraham. Source: The Village Voice

Southern Brooklyn has a lot less spirit this morning, as a kindly Herculean rabbi — infamous for donning bright orange Speedos while plunging every New Year’s Day into the freezing Atlantic waters off Brighton Beach, and who once froze himself for 54 hours and 54 minutes in an ice shack in a bid to outdo magician David Blaine — has died.

The silver-haired Rabbi Abraham Abraham, a fabled member of the Coney Island Ice-Breakers and local legend known throughout Brighton Beach, Coney Island and Sheepshead Bay, whose uniquely molded facial hair earned him top honors one year in Coney Island’s beard competition, was beloved for his inexorably adventurous nature and uncanny ability to bring a smile to the face of young and old alike, with his trademark aphorism: “Thank you for being you.”

A one-time King Neptune of the Mermaid Parade, sharing that coveted title with the likes David Byrne, Harvey Keitel, Moby, and Lou Reed, the rabbi — whose age was always kept a secret, and who never revealed from where he achieved rabbinic ordination — was fond of imparting Solomon-esque wisdom, most notably, with regard to his sculpted physique, which he claimed was from a diet of “organic kosher food.”

“Your strength lays in your blood, and you only are what you eat,” the rabbi commented on a YouTube video, after also explaining that members of the Ice-Breakers, the splinter group he founded after being booted from the Coney Island Polar Bears, “parachute” and “walk on fire.”

Dick Zigun, the longtime “Mayor of Coney Island,” and founder of Coney Island USA and Sideshows by the Seashore, expressed his sadness on the Coney Island Message Board:

I am sorry he has passed… an original Coney Island character… in the tradition of Mighty Atom and other Brooklyn Jewish strongmen… a hardcore member of the Polar Bear Club ready to pose for any camera during any February blizzard… the poor man’s David Blaine… the founder of the Ice Bears once the Polar Bears threw him out of their club… a pain in the behind at the Mermaid Parade and yet my choice one insane summer for King of the Mermaid Parade… I will miss him!  R.I.P.

Another commenter, who goes by the handle “Bogframe,” shared that, “He was definitely the coolest rabbi I’ve known. I’ll have to say Kaddish for him,” referring to the Jewish liturgical prayer of mourning the deceased.

The cause of death was unknown at press time. Funeral services are being held for the rabbi at 2 p.m. today at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, Queens.

Related posts

Tags: , , , , , , ,

  • Brightonresident

    R.I.P. 

  • Footworks

    Very sad.
    The good, die young.

  • Georgia

    He was very familiar face around Sheepshead Bay & Coney Island.  He was very educated also.  RIP 

    • nolastname

      What a great man. I bumped into him in the 99cent store a few times he always had good things to say. Very educated and kind. RIP.

  • Ilan

    ז״ל

  • Anonymous

    He used to come into my Starbucks often and tell me he was praying for me.  RIP 

  • Jal5503

    Met him many years ago in brighton what a wonderful guy……He will be missed by many…May he rest in peace !

  • Beth

    Last fall I was visiting Brooklyn from CA and was introduced to him by my friend Mikey.  The Rabbi was very nice and welcomed me to NY.  What a nice man.  May he rest in peace.    

  • Hollyk

    I met Rabbi Abraham in the flea maRKet on Ocean Avenue and he always remembered me.  I have always brought him up in conversation because he was someone way ahead of his time.  I saw him a few months ago walking with someone AND always felt bad thaT I didnt say hi.  R.I.P.  RaBBI.  There should  be more people like you.  But you hAVe always been aces and one of a kind in my book.  Rest in peace

  • http://www.kofc126.org Eddie Velinskie

    I am saddened by the passing of Rabbi Abraham, last saw him at the 2010 Mermaid Parade, a true Brooklyn & Coney Island Guy who had an “hello’ for everyone. He will be very missed by all of Coney Island. I hope the Mermaid Parade 2011 folks do something to honor him.

  • Eminem

    A true loss for the neighborhood. I am very proud to say that I swam a few times with the Rabbi and his group (the icebreakers)  a few New Year’s Days in the early mid 90′s, they would go in  at Coney Island Avenue and hour before the Polar Bears did  their thing by Stillwell.

    I drew the line when he and his group asked me if I wanted to join their group in walking over hot coals somewhere subsequently. I may be crazy, but not insane!

    Anyway, the rabbi epitomized the neighborhood: charming and eccentric, with lots of personality. I am saddened by the loss of such a towering figure in the neighborhood. RIP sir. 

  • Barkingspider7

    I never had the pleasure of meeting the Rabbi, but these comments sure say alot about this man.  Sounds like he was a wonderful person. May he rest in peace.

    • Anonymous

      I used to see him around the neighborhood all the time. Last year I finally saw him dressed as a rabbi. Although we never spoke, I just felt that I had to say hello, since I knew him. He gave me a beautiful smile and acknowledged the greeting.

      • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

         I’ve met him, and I hope that he never felt he was taken for granted. He was one of the people that made our lives a bit more pleasant whenever we came into contact with him. He will definitely be missed.

  • C3newyork

    great guy,rip and i will miss your words of wisdom

  • Barkingspider7

    Just googled his name and an article came up which said that the ‘Rabbi’ (he was not an ordained rabbi, but a self proclaimed) had cancer for the past 7 years and that was the cause of death.  He was 77 years  old, had 10 children, and his wife Elaine is still alive.  He wanted to go for one last swim even though he was on his deathbed. 

    • nolastname

      The man had more spirituality than any Rabbinical school could offer in an education. He truly practiced what he preached. The information you provided makes me hope a document or full scale movie is in the works, must be so much to know about the man. He spread the Love.

    • Aveniusa

      Please be considerate.  While you(they) do the talking we will leave Ha’shem to run the family bussiness.  
       ”If ye have desire to serve God ye are called to the work…”
       Doctrine and Covanents 4

  • Pingback: Historic Dreamland Tours: Get Your Freak On! | Sheepshead Bay News Blog

  • Aveniusa

    Thank you for the beautiful words of Love and Joy.  Abraham was not only blessed with the Holy Hutzpah, he was and forever will be my birth father.  For reasons I do not wish to disclose, I was adopted into another family.  He definatly gets the mitzvah from the Almighty and Everlasting God of our Fathers.  I love you and always will remember the fun and awesome experiences we shared on earth.  Until we meet at the feet of the Saviour may God be with you.    Love your son,  Israel

    • Fulcherbeth

      Spoken like a true saint. I agree completely to respect and preserve the memory of our birth father.

  • O Jammal

    I am so sorry, I did not know until now, he came into my store asking for cup of water , i did served him water with dates from the Jordan river, he loved it so much and he asked for more so i did and i asked him to bless me,He took my hand and started praying and when he left he looked at me and said GOD bless you .