Rabbi Sheldon J. Weltman; Temple Leader

Rabbi Sheldon J. Weltman, spiritual leader of Temple B’Nai Hayim in Sherman Oaks, has died in a Northridge hospital. He was 55.

Weltman died Saturday of cancer, according to synagogue officials.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Weltman graduated from Columbia University and later received a doctor of divinity degree at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He also received a doctorate degree in religious studies from Drew University in Madison, N.J., last year.

Weltman served as rabbi at synagogues in Palos Verdes, Morristown, N.J., and Bridgeport, Conn., before coming in 1984 to the 225-member Sherman Oaks temple, which is affiliated with the Conservative branch of Judaism. He ministered to the elderly, problem children, veterans hospital patients and inmates. Weltman, who served as a U. S. Army chaplain for two years, in 1983 was named the Jewish chaplain for the Granada Hills Community Hospital’s Symptom Control Program, which assists terminally ill patients.

Weltman was an avid traveler and a collector of books on Jewish history, philosophy and Judaic studies, amassing more than 5,000 volumes in his personal collection. During his lifetime, he had visited more than 60 countries.

He is survived by his parents, Sadie and Max Lesnick of Cleveland and a sister, Marcia W. Stone of Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Burial will be today in Cleveland. A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. Sunday at Temple B’Nai Hayim, 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., in Sherman Oaks. Groman-Eden Mortuary in Mission Hills is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Weltman’s name to the Jewish National Fund for the Sheldon Weltman Grove.