Riverdalian, family members die in tragic crash

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A tragic Sept. 7 car crash took the life of Riverdale resident Yehuda Bayme on Route 17 near the Catskills. He was 31.

Also killed in the accident were Mr. Bayme’s future in-laws, Morris and Beth Faitelewicz. Mr. Bayme’s fiancee Shani and her two brothers, Yaakov and Avi, were badly injured when the car rolled over in Sullivan County, but they are expected to make full recoveries. 

Mr. Bayme attended both Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy and SAR High School just blocks away from his Riverdale home, where his family still resides today. The Bayme family observed the Jewish period of mourning known as shiva from Sept. 8 to 13. They could not be reached during this time.

The SAR community is still reeling from the shock. 

SAR Academy’s principal, Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, was not affiliated with the school when Mr. Bayme attended, but acknowledges the pain felt in the community.

“Right now it’s all very raw,” he said. “I support the people who knew him and loved him very much.”

Etan Bendheim was one of Mr. Bayme’s childhood friends during elementary and middle school at SAR. While he acknowledges the two had not been as close in recent years, Mr. Bendheim said the impression Mr. Bayme made was unforgettable. 

“He was very much the center of our group,” said Mr. Bendheim. “It’s just difficult to imagine what any of our childhoods would be like without him.”

After graduating from SAR, Mr. Bayme took a gap year to study at a seminary in Israel. He returned to New York and went on to earn a degree from Yeshiva University. In more recent years, Mr. Bayme worked as an expediter, obtained his real estate license and became engaged.

“Things were looking like they were coming together a lot better,” said Mr. Bendheim.

Sharon Marson, director of arts and enrichment at SAR Academy, taught Mr. Bayme in kindergarten close to 25 years ago and spoke vividly of his kindness.

“He was a very sweet, very big-hearted child who was incredibly uncomplicated and was always kind to his friends,” she said. “He just enjoyed being with people. He was easy-going, his interactions with others were always pleasant.”

Two of Mr. Bayme’s nephews currently attend SAR. Ms. Marson taught one of them last year in first grade. Despite having taught Mr. Bayme so many years earlier, his memory endured all this time.

“I remember him and can see him right in front of me,” Ms. Marson said.

Funeral services were held at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale on Sept. 8. His fiancee and her brothers were still in the hospital and unable to attend.

New York State Police believe the Faitelewicz’s car was the only one involved in the accident.

Yehuda Bayme, SAR Academy, car crash, Binyamin Krauss, Will Speros