The Gabriel Rissman Memorial Fund

In loving memory of Gabriel Rissman, his family is setting up a memorial fund to honor him. The money collected here will be used to support young people struggling with SUD and emotional health; we are also allocating funds to help support young underserved tennis players.

 

Gabe passed away unexpectedly at the age of 21. Those blessed to know him spoke about his extraordinary kindness, empathy and immeasurable sweetness. He had an infectious spirit and made everyone around him feel special, heard and loved. Gabe was a tenacious and talented tennis player and a quiet role model with a beautiful balance of compassion and intensity, both on and off the court. Gabe deeply loved his friends and family and had an especially powerful and loving bond with his sisters, Ariel and Bella.

 

We are immensely grateful for any donations.

 

With Love,

 

Ilisa, Steve, Ariel & Bella Rissman

_________

Gabriel "Gabe" Isaac Rissman of Brooklyn, NY, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 21, in Los Angeles, CA, on December 8, 2021. Born on June 16, 2000, to Steven and Ilisa (Katz) Rissman in New York City, Gabe was a joyful and vibrant child. At the age of three he was already bombing down city sidewalks on his Razor scooter, weaving in and out of unsuspecting pedestrians. This silly and loving young boy started school at Plymouth Church and then attended The Packer Collegiate Institute where he made lifelong friends and began his love of learning. It was also during this time that Gabe discovered his intense passion for tennis and began playing competitively. From Packer, he transferred first to the Ross School in East Hampton, NY, where he joined the school's Tennis Academy, and then moved on to the Taft School in Connecticut. At Taft, he continued his studies as well as his tennis, where he was elected team captain and led them to an undefeated season. Gabe was inspirational to his peers at Ross, Taft, and in his own Brooklyn neighborhood, because in addition to his exceptional work ethic as an athlete in both tennis and baseball, he was thoughtful, funny, and could always make you feel like he genuinely wanted you around. He was a quiet role model who had a beautiful balance of sweetness and intensity. He inspired by example and had an infectious enthusiasm for life. Gabe was also a true water baby; he felt most at home, spending endless hours riding ocean waves. Gabe managed to cultivate lasting friendships both at home and abroad, as he loved visiting friends all over the world and was a confident and capable traveler. Last year, both Gabe and his older sister Ariel moved to Los Angeles to start new chapters of their lives. While there, they reconnected, and their bond became even stronger. Although Gabe was in school and playing tennis, and Ariel was working and living her life, they grew closer than ever before and spent a great deal of time together. They were always in touch and were unwavering sources of strength and love for one another - they were the best of friends. Despite the eight-and-a-half-year age difference with his younger sister Bella, the connection and bond between the two was deep and filled with boundless love and laughter. All three siblings had enormous love for one another. Gabe's infectious spirit made everyone around him feel special, heard, and loved. Those who were blessed to know him spoke about his extraordinary kindness, empathy, and sweetness. In addition to his parents and sisters, Gabe is survived by many loving family members and friends. Gabe's funeral was officiated by Rabbi Lippe and held Sunday, December 12th, at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue.