Judge Joseph Axelman, beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, left behind numerous descendants in the United States and in Israel. He loved his family and was dedicated to helping each of his children, whenever he could. Celebrating birthdays was especially important to him. There was never a birthday for a child, in-law child, grandchild, in-law grandchild, or great grandchild that did not receive a birthday card and check every year. He painstakingly shopped for these cards, ensuring that the card would be appreciated by the recipient.

 

Throughout his life he worked very hard, first as a lawyer and later as a judge with the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. Once he retired, he appreciated the joy of not having to work and enjoyed traveling whenever he could. Cruising on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) was one of his greatest joys and he found complete enjoyment cruising across the ocean to England, remaining on the ship, and cruising back to New York.

 

He loved Yiddishkeit and, until his death, prayed every day, morning and evening, putting on the tefillin every weekday morning. He taught his children to recite the prayers in the traditional tunes, and through the many years of his reciting the Hagadah each Passover, passed on the family’s tunes for this beautiful service. Truly, this instilled the telling of the story of the Exodus from generation to generation (l‘dor va dor).