Baruch Hyman

HYMAN: Baruch Hyman. It has been said that the Owner of the orchard knows exactly when to gather His fruit. To those who remain in the orchard, life will never be the same. Pittsburgh is dealing with just such a situation with the passing of Rabbi Baruch (Baruch Mendel ben Shlomo Nachum) Hyman. During his three decades in Pittsburgh, Baruch Hyman touched the lives of everyone he met both inside and outside of the Jewish community. Many people knew Baruch as a devoted Lubavitcher Chasid. Whether he was hosting Shabbos guests ,with his wife Taibke, learning Torah with both the curious and committed, or preparing food for hungry worshippers after Sabbath services, he did everything with good humor and a warm smile. He was an especially strong and loyal supporter of Yeshiva Schools and the Aleph Institute as well as Chabad houses run by his children in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Winchester, Virginia and Harrisonburg, Virginia. His wife, children and grandchildren continue to carry on his kindness, care and compassion in their various communities around the country. Baruch Hyman’s journey from collector to Chabad Chassid evolved over many years. In his youth, Baruch collected stamps and his father collected coins. Baruch’s hobby grew over time to include comics and other collectibles. When he attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, he originally was looking for a career. Providentially, he found Rabbi Moishe Kasowitz and Chabad. His journey brought him to Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim in Israel where he learned Torah in depth and received his rabbinic ordination. In Israel, he also met his life partner, Taibke. Together, their new life took them to Pittsburgh and Squirrel Hill, where he started Crown Antiques and Collectables. Baruch bought and sold everything imaginable, from baseball cards to cameras to comic books. Many customers came looking for one thing and found something much more valuable — friendship and spiritual support. When he moved Crown Antiques to a four-story building in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood, his reputation and his stock of hard-to-find items grew exponentially. He once estimated that he had over 4 million items in his inventory, and Baruch knew the history behind most of them. No matter the material value of an item, to him it was always just a number. To Baruch, real value lay in collecting good deeds. Whether in his store, the hospital, or wherever he found himself, he persevered to live a life of meaning. His legacy continues, carried on by his beloved wife, Taibke Hyman, as well as their children: Sara Esther Bongart, Monsey, New York; Chaya Hoffinger, Pittsburgh; Moishe Hyman, Kingston, Pennsylvania; Nomi Leimdorfer, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Miriam Horowitz, Altoona, Pennsylvania; Bluma Dinerman, Winchester, Virginia; Baila Hyman, Pittsburgh; Dini Kreitenberg, Crown Heights; and many precious grandchildren. He is also survived by his father, Leonard Hyman, and sister Cherie Hyman of St. Louis, Missouri. Donations can be made in Baruch’s memory at ChabadOfAltoona.org/donate. PJC