ANDOVER — At 84, Joel Edelstein keeps busy by playing golf and tennis, taking noncredit courses classes at Boston area colleges and working as a consultant.
But the one thing most dear to his heart is awarding scholarships to Lawrence students going off to college through the fund he established in memory of his son Daniel Edelstein who died in 1983 while a student at Brown University.
"His death was a big loss. He was friendly, bright and a people-oriented person who would reach into his pocket to help anyone out," said Edelstein, who was born and raised in New York before moving to Andover 40 years ago.
Daniel Edelstein was a 1978 graduate of Andover High School, where he was president of his class and a National Merit Scholar.
The young Edelstein was a theater lover and performed in "Guys and Dolls" at Andover High. He also was president of the youth group at Temple Emanuel.
His father set up the scholarship fund in 1996 to help Lawrence students who want to go onto college but cannot afford it. He started with a single $500 scholarship and this June awarded three $1,000 scholarships. This year's winners are Ruth Tejada, who will study engineering at University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Bang Luu who will attend College of the Holy Cross with plans for a career in medicine, and Christian Hbaiter, who is headed to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Tejada and Luu both graduated from Lawrence High and Hbaiter graduated from Central Catholic High School.
"All three have demonstrated that they will not only go to college, but will stay in and graduate from college," said Edelstein, a graduate of New York City College and Polytech University in Brooklyn, N.Y. He is a former research director of the flock division at Malden Mills.
"Our objective is to put and keep these boys and girls in college because they are the future," said Edelstein.
Versatile students
Edelstein said students are selected based on academic achievement, financial need and community service. The 2010 winners fit every category.
At Lawrence High, Tejada was a member of the National Honor Society, the Multi Cultural Affairs Group, chess team, Bible Club and JROTC. She played the saxophone in the school band.
Tejada, who was born in Lawrence of Dominican parents, also volunteered at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Roxbury and assisted doctors with translations. A member of Ebenezer Christian Church in Lawrence, she was a member of the pantomime group and helped out at health clinics sponsored by the church.
Luu was a member of the National Honor Society, Gay/Straight Alliance and competed in Atlanta with the Robotics team. She ran track for one year, played golf two years and is a self-taught pianist. Born in Vietnam, she migrated to Lawrence at age 10.
Hbaiter, who is Lebanese-American, was a student ambassador and a member of the National Honor Society. He worked at Butcher Boy in North Andover for three years.
Hbaiter said the scholarship will help his parents pay for tuition, while Tejada and Luu will both use theirs to buy books.
"I always strive to do my best," Luu said during the awards presentation. "By serving my community I can make a better life for future generations."
Tejada agreed.
"I hope to help people in other countries like others have helped me."
Temple members help
Edelstein does not have any connections to Lawrence, except Temple Emanuel which was once located in the city before moving to Andover.
"Our roots are in Lawrence and we wanted to do something that honored our roots because we have a responsibility to where we come from," Edelstein said.
Several temple members not only contribute to the scholarship fund, but are part of the committee that reads the applications and selects the winners. They are Rabbi Robert Goldstein, his wife, Faith, Elliot Hacker, Marian Finbury, Charlotte Lynch and Jean Tronstine.
"(They) are essential to our proven ability to find the best candidates for the awards. We like to feel we are doing the right thing and Temple Emanuel is no small part of that effort," Edelstein said.
His children, Dr. Bernard Edelstein of Brookline and daughter Anne Edelstein of New York are also very much part of the scholarship process. The sense of generosity is even catching on with the third generation as his grandson contributed some of his bar mitzvah money for scholarships.
"I'd like to leave thinking that it will continue," Joel Edelstein said.
