Rabbi Arthur Schick, z”l

It was with great sadness that the Jewish community of Brooklyn learned of the petirah of Rabbi Arthur (Aryeh) Schick, z”l, of Flatbush — legendary caterer, askan and baal chessed. He was 84, and passed away after a protracted illness.

“He was the consummate lev tov [person of a good and giving heart],” said Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin of Agudath Israel of America, a long-time friend who worked together with the niftar on many of Agudah’s events. “He gave of his time and resources and made everybody feel like they were his best friend. He was a giver who looked for ways to do more and more.”

Rabbi Schick was born in 1930 to Rabbi Dovid Yosef, z”l, and Rebbetzin Renee Schick, a”h. His father, who served as the Rav of a shul in Manhattan, was niftar suddenly on Purim of 1938, leaving his mother destitute and faced with the challenge of supporting four young children.

Despite his youth and the difficulty of the circumstances, young Arthur, the oldest of his siblings, rose to the task and became a father figure to the orphaned family, beginning his long career of chessed.

Rebbetzin Schick scrambled to support herself and her children by baking challos in their small apartment in Boro Park, where they had relocated. This endeavor ultimately grew to become the famous Schick’s Bakery.

From kindergarten through beis medrash, the niftar studied in Yeshivas Rabbi Jacob Joseph (RJJ) of the Lower East Side, ultimately becoming one of its first students to receive semichah. True to his penchant for community service, Rabbi Schick remained active in RJJ’s alumni association, serving as its president for several years. He was a leading force behind the Shulamith School for Girls of Brooklyn, serving as its president for a long period of time, as well as being heavily involved in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin and several other institutions.

In 1958 he married, tbl”c, Dorothy Bachman. The couple founded A&D Catering, which they operated for many years. Rabbi Schick’s giving nature was evident not only in the many communal causes with which he was involved but, most markedly, through the business itself. He was constantly sending food packages to local widows, those who were out of work and other needy families — as well as catering simchos.

“He never looked at his dealings as business, but as what can I do to beautify your event, to make it kovodig,” said Rabbi Gertzulin. “Every caterer nameable was at the levayah. He didn’t look at them as competition. He was more than happy to share with others whatever he could about the business. He will be terribly missed.”

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Schick; sons, David and Michael; and daughters, Mrs. Rivky Kranz, Mrs. Linda Lev, Mrs. Miriam Roth and Mrs. Ilana Schwartz.

Yehi zichro baruch.

This article appeared in print on page 13 of the February 5th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.