Sheldon Hechtman's Obituary
Sheldon Hechtman (1938-2024)
Sheldon (Shelly) Hechtman, 86, born in the Bronx, NY in 1938 to Benjamen and Frances
Hechtman, attended City College of New York and was a member of the Tau Delta Phi
fraternity, founded there, known as the Tau Delts. He was a member of the ROTC program
while at City College during which he suffered hearing loss. He studied business and began his
career in radio and television becoming known for his work in the area of Direct Response
marketing. He earned an MBA at Adelphi University. Upon retiring in in 1992 when they moved
to Florida he realized he hated retirement and quickly joined his wife Ellen in the Financial
Industry for another 30 years, and retired at 81. Shelly and Ellen shared a love of traveling all
over the world.
Shelly was preceded in death by his parents Frances and Benjamen Hechtman of Rego Park,
NY and his son Noah Klersfeld, of Brooklyn, New York. He is survived by his wife Ellen
Klersfeld Hechtman of Delray Beach, Florida; brother Jay Hechtman of Rego Park, New York;
daughters Jennifer (& Theodore Fons) of Columbus, Ohio and Renee (& Thomas Ferrante), of
Long Beach, New York; granddaughters, Jennifer Ferrante (& Joal Swindells), Valerie Ferrante
(& Jared Blech), and Rachel Fons; and by his beloved Havanese dog, Mucho.
Shelly was an ardent supporter of Israel and Jewish causes, whose decades-long devotion to
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem lives on. Shelly instilled a strong love of Israel and
education in his family. He served on the Hebrew University's Board of Governors for over 10
years and received an Honorary Fellowship in 2015. He was a trustee of the Harry S. Truman
Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace, 2013-2014, and served on America Friends
of Hebrew University's (AFHU) Board of Regents 2008-2011, and on the Board of Directors
2011-2016. Shelly was past president of AFHU's Southeast Regional Board and a dedicated
board member for many years. In addition to his significant support of the Hebrew University,
Shelly and Ellen were generous donors to Florida Atlantic University's Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education. The family's philanthropy extends to the Jewish community, higher
education, and more.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 5, 2024, at 2:15PM at Eternal Light
Memorial Gardens 11520 FL-7 Boynton Beach, FL
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