Friends and family gathered in Shapiro Campus Center on Thursday for Eliezer Schwartz' '04 memorial service. Eliezer, commonly known as 'Elie,' died in November after falling from a third-story balcony of an apartment in Gloucester, Mass. after ingesting hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Rabbi Allan Lehmann opened the service, expressing the beginning of this semester was an appropriate time to memorialize Elie.

"Today we as a community are here beyond the initial moments of shock...to gather strength and courage to remind ourselves of what really matters," Lehmann said.

Moshe Schwartz '99, Elie's brother, said he agreed that the end of last semester did not give ample time for reflection.

"This was a time to recall and, because at the end of the semester it really wasn't very good for recollection," Moshe said. "We want to rekindle his memory over time and I would like to make that connection and show my support to the campus."

Moshe's speech during the service centered on his brother and the many things that people remembered about him, as well as the thoughts and imprints he left on his friends and family.

"Elie carried with him many physical traits, such as his pairs of 'Lucky' jeans and the cast on his arm that, shortly before his death, he promised to remove, as well as some less tangible elements, such as his knowledge, warmth, love and sense of humor," Moshe said.

The service also featured a slideshow prepared by Executive Senator Erica Lemansky '05, with photographs from Elie's life with his friends, the rugby team and his fraternity brothers from Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT).

"When I was first told that a memorial service for Elie was being planned, my first thought was how to include all aspects of Elie's life, all the people whose lives he touched and all the memories he left behind," Lemansky said.

Rachel Gerber '04, also spoke at the service. She mentioned her memories of Elie and his distinctive qualities helped her grow. Gerber said Elie was particularly unique in his sense of humor and the way he made people laugh.

"He wanted more than anything to make people laugh and smile," Gerber said. "Just being around him put me in a good mood and I think it was because of the kind of person he was."

Close friend and former frat brother Max Polonsky '04 spoke about how Elie had impacted on his life.

"Something terrible has happened and we've lost someone we care about very much," Polonsky said. "But we can't quit. We must learn from it. Honor your friends."

Former frat brother and close friend Joshua Ritz '05 also spoke about how Elie had impacted him.

"The very first time I met him," Ritz said, "he came home with a friend of mine from Pachanga and he passed out on her bed holding a teddy bear."

Ritz said this image represented Elie's kind and loving nature.

"Simply being near him made me feel happier," Ritz said. "He exuded so much warmth to everyone."

Moshe expressed his gratitude toward the people who came to the memorial and who have been supportive with letters to the family.

"My hope is that Elie's friends will continue to learn and take from Elie all that he brought to his life and to focus on his life just as I and Elie's family continue to do now," Moshe said.