Rabbi David “Abie” Abrahams

Rabbi David “Abie” Abrahms, born October 12, 1951, passed peacefully Sunday April 6, 2025.

David was born in New York City to Morton S. Abrahams and Beverly Joan (Werner) Abrahams. He grew up in Freeport, NY on Long Island, and attended Freeport High School. David developed a passion for sports, a talent in writing, and following the untimely death of his father in 1965, he found solace n his Jewish faith.

David attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He honed his craft as a wordsmith writing for the Columbia Missourian, and he had a very good time in college as a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity.

Upon graduation David moved to northern Illinois and began his career as a sports writer and editor first in Dixon, Illinois, and then In Sterling, Illinois. In 1981 David Married Marilyn (Mickie) Brandon and adopted Mickie’s 4-year old daughter, Emelyne (Emy) Camille. Later that year they welcomed their son Martin to the world. During the 1980’s he won multiple awards for his sports and feature writing He also served as a member of the board of Temple Sholom in Sterling Illinois, as well as being the director of the religious school.

David and Mickie divorced in the early 1990’s. David and Martin moved to Rochester, NY in 1996 so David could be closer to his sisters and aging mother. He found a calling as a lay-rabbinic leader at Congregation Etz Chaim in Fairport, NY, just outside of Rochester. The Etz Chaim community embraced his talents and his passion, and in 2003 David was ordained as a Rabbi.

David spent more than two decades as the spiritual leader of the Etz Chaim Community. In that community he fostered a culture of acceptance, kindness, and common humanity. He shaped Congregation Etz Chaim as a “come-as-you-are” form of Judaism, in which ritual and tradition were honored, but the emotional sincerity and the feeling conveyed in the prayers is more important than the actual words of the prayers.

In his golden years David met the final love of his life. At a Bar Mitzvah in 2018 David met Melissa Giambrone. The two quickly fell in love and embarked on years of joy in sharing common passions for the New York Yankees, New York Rangers, and watching old movies on Turner Classic Movies. They were married in front of family and friends in 2023.

David was a man as large as life. He was honest, compassionate, and devoted to his sense of always doing the right thing. He valued family, and being there for others in their times of need. He lived those values every day of his life. He taught them to his children, and to the children of every congregation in which he served as a religious school teacher.

David was predeceased by his sister Alida White (55) in 2013. He is survived by his wife Melissa, his sister Debby, daughter Emelyne, son Martin, and his grandchildren Ian and Aviva Abrahams.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 10th at 10AM at Congregation Etz-Chaim, 2 Mountain Rise, Fairport, NY 14450.

Shiva will be observed following the funeral services on Thursday until 3 PM and on Friday, April 11th from 5-7 PM at Congregation Etz-Chaim, 2 Mountain Rise, Fairport, NY 14450

Those wishing may make contributions to Congregation Etz-Chaim, 2 Mountain Rise, Fairport, NY 14450 or Temple Sholom, 21950 Ridge Rd, Sterling, IL 61081 for the new Temple Building.