Yeshiva University and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary presents

About Ed and Rita Balk z"l
Ed Balk (Yehuda ben Yaakov) was a man of stellar integrity who set an example for his family, those around him, and the St. Louis community – Jewish and otherwise – of what it means to be a mensch.

Once, while in high school, a teacher, who also worked part-time at Ed’s real estate firm, asked his son if his father was in town -- he needed to ask him a very important question. His son reported he was not. This was a time well before cell phones and the teacher got visibly upset. Ed’s son told him he could call the office and ask one of the other company executives the question; certainly one of them could also provide the answer. The teacher responded: “I am afraid you don’t understand -- this is an ethical question -- your father is the only person in St. Louis who I would trust to answer it.” It is unknown what that question was, but suffice it to say, this is only one of countless scenarios where Ed Balk was considered “the only person” to resolve such dilemmas. He would tell his son when he asked him such questions: “Someone, maybe a lawyer, may tell you it is legal for you to do this; I do not want you to do what is legal – I want you to do what is right.”

Ed Balk believed in the importance of a Jewish education. He chose to become a benefactor of RIETS in gratitude to the institution’s policy of not charging tuition to its rabbinical students – of which he learned when his son, Hanan, entered the semicha program in 1980. He told President Norman Lamm at a private luncheon in the university library, since he was able to pay a full “graduate school” tuition for his son’s rabbinical training, there was no reason for this policy to put a burden on the institution. He, therefore, generously paid full college tuition for five years. When his grandchildren would later attend Jewish day schools, Ed agreed to pay their tuition. Again, even if discounted, he had the schools bill him the full amount, so they would not suffer a loss.

Ed and Rita were major pillars of their St. Louis congregation. Ed Balk believed the synagogue was a sacred vehicle thru which Jewish spiritual values could be taught -- values that would ensure the continuity of present and future generations. Tefillah, K’riat HaTorah (he became a baal k’riah at age 46), hazzanut, niggunim, and beautiful music, were important elements in the spiritual lives of Ed and his beloved wife Rita (Rachel bat Yisrael). Rita loved opera, and she recognized cantorial music often reflected the same dramatic and emotional expression of joy or angst, as her favorite arias. Prayer, characterized by our Rabbis as “The Service of the Heart,” could, indeed, offer such a moving experience.

Rabbi Balk was the first family member to attend YU – but not the last! Ed and Rita had six grandchildren and three of their spouses who were also YU graduates – rabbanim, hazzanim, singers and musicians among them. The extended Balk family includes many other children and grandchildren involved in tefillah and Jewish music, as well. This platform is therefore an authentic and meaningful contribution to the Balk legacy, established on the occasion of Ed’s first yahrzeit.

May the knowledge and inspiration acquired from the Torah learned in memory of Ed and Rita Balk serve as an eternal monument to their souls and contribute to the uplifting of tefillah in congregations throughout K’lal Yisrael. May HaShem hear the prayers of His children, and redeem not only the Jewish people, but the entire world, so all may offer praise to His everlasting name.