Rabbi Stanley Savage
August 3, 1949 - November 17, 2023

RABBI STANLEY SAVAGE: There is less laughter in the world today. Rabbi Stanley Savage was known for his quirky sense of humor, always having a "Dad Joke" at the ready. But on Friday evening, November 17, Rabbi Savage passed away peacefully following a two-year long battle with cancer. Rabbi Stanley was born in Belgium on August 3, 1949. His parents, Sam Savage (z"l) and Jolan "Yetta" Savage (z"l), were both Holocaust survivors, and emigrated to the United States following Stanley's birth. Stanley grew up in Pittsburgh, but went to high school in Baltimore and studied at the Brooklyn College in New York. He obtained his smicha (ordination) from the Yeshiva Gadol (Talmudical Institute of Pittsburgh), which is no longer in existence. As a young man, Stanley taught at several Jewish schools and did various jobs throughout the community, including being a shomer at the Jewish funeral homes that were in Pittsburgh at the time. He was the rabbi at Congregation Ahavath Achim in Carnegie, PA, New Light Congregation in Squirrel Hill and Tree of Life Congregation in Uniontown, but his longest tenure was at Beth Hamedrash HaGadol-Beth Jacob Synagogue in downtown Pittsburgh. Stanley served this synagogue from 1983 - 2021. His assistance was invaluable to the congregation in the transition period during which they were relocated to their current home, and the previous building was demolished for the construction of the new Penguins' hockey arena. Although still enjoying his place at the synagogue, when the pandemic no longer allowed for daily minyanim, he retired. Rabbi Stanley's offbeat sense of humor was legendary. His home contained framed pictures of the Marx Brothers, cardboard cutouts of the Three Stooges, and a life-sized family of stuffed giraffes. His passion, other than studying Talmud and Torah, was sports, particularly wrestling. But mostly, he enjoyed interacting with people. His home was open to all who wished to sit and "schmooze" either over a bagel or a glass of peach schnapps. When at a restaurant, he would walk into the kitchen and thank the food preparers. On the street he would stop to talk with everyone: he would admire a baby in a stroller, help an elderly person to maneuver, or give money and food to a homeless person. Stanley loved his children, Adina (Brad) Cohen and Daniel (Angelina) Savage; also his three grandchildren, Frank, Nora and Sophia Cohen. Devoted to his beloved family, Stanley is survived by his sister Faye (Leslie) Unger and his brother Eugene (Michelle) Savage, his many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and his Aunt Marlene Lebovitz and his cousins. Stanley was very grateful for his many friends, especially those on the team that looked after him during his illness. Rabbi Stanley Savage was one of a kind, and will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 11 AM. NO Prior Visitation. Interment Beth Hamedrash Hagodol/Beth Jacob Cemetery. Contributions in Stanley's memory and honor may be made to Autism Society of America, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305, Rockville, MD 20852. www.schugar.com

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Rabbi Savage verbally filled me in on the possible intricacies of obtaining interesting and varied grocery provisions for Sabbath and the rest of the week. I've been enjoying all sorts of goodies since, so that every trip to "the store" is a sort of salute to his kind words. May all of us keep on learning from him.

By Judith Berge - November 22, 2023

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May his memory be a blessing.

By Ralph Liebstein - November 21, 2023

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Rabbi Savage’s commitment to maintaining a minyan downtown was commendable, a I true contribution to Jewish life in Pittsburgh. He welcomed all graciously and with respect. He will be missed. May his memory and his deeds serve as a blessing.

By Alexander Orbach - November 21, 2023

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To the family of Rabbi Stanley Savage, We will miss his wonderful sense of humor. May his soul rest in peace.

By Joanne Berman and Aaron Berman - November 21, 2023

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We will miss Stanley, and his wonderful sense of humor. We often celebrated Sandy’s birthday, and Stanley was included. May his memory be a blessing.

By Sandy and Marty Golomb - November 20, 2023

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Rest in Peace my friend. Was glad we were able to visit a few weeks ago. elaine berkowitz

By Dr. Elaine Berkowitz - November 20, 2023

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Our fondness for Rabbi Savage comes from the deep connection he created with our father/grandfather Herman Lipsitz. Together they, along with several others at Beth Medrash Hagadol, worked tirelessly to keep minyans and mitzvot alive in downtown Pittsburgh.

By Lipsitz/Katch/Rosenthal/Farber family - November 19, 2023

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I am so sorry to hear of the death of Rabbi Savage . As a child I knew him in the East End. I did NOT know that Marlene Lebovitz was his aunt but clearly remember meeting him at the Lebovitz house on Chislette St. Rabbi Savage was the kindest and gentlest man. He always had a good word for everyone. May his memory be for a blessing. My husband Dan joins me in expressing our deepest sympathies to the entire family.

By Ronna Harris Askin - November 19, 2023

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I was honored to have Rabbi Savage as my Rabbi and close friend for many years. He was a great man, and taught me lessons about Judaism and life that I will always carry with me. Thank you, Rabbi, for all that you did for me.

By Dennis Bair - November 19, 2023

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R\'Stan z\'\'l , will be missed by the people he was always concerned about and the ones he assisted in shul downtown . His personality was exceptional , so was his ability to draw lessons from the Torah to daily challenges and ongoing crisis . May we all be comforted among the mourners of zion and yerushalayim.

By Michael M Milch - November 19, 2023

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Stanley and I date back to the olden days at Torath Chaim Congregation in East End. He had a very unique sense of humor!

By Cantor Sheldon Clark - November 19, 2023

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Stan was a GREAT friend. We enjoyed seeing him when he was in Columbus, Ohio. May his memory be for a blessing.

By Bob and Gail Clark - November 18, 2023

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