LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — It has been a number of months since Rabbi Micah Ellenson handed away. As a instructor, mentor, and coach on the Adelson college, college students like Lian Bega keep in mind him fondly.
Rabbi Ellenson unexpectedly died in February 2025 and taught on the college for two years.
“Truly, he made such an impact on the school, and he is really missed around here,” Bega remarked. “The whole basketball team was in disbelief, and it did take a toll on us because we were mid-season and he was still our coach then, and it was very sad on all of us.”
His infectious smile and larger-than-life persona left an enduring impression on Adelson college students and college. Instructor and coach Clayton Mello describes his colleague as heat and beneficiant.
“He was always trying to be an advocate, always trying to help all the students, whether it was in the classroom or on the court,” Mello defined. “Our students even had a bulletin board dedicated to him and doing the plaque as well. Students were able to speak after he passed away about some stories they had about him and memories about him and that was a really touching moment.”
As a part of their senior reward to present again to the varsity, Bega led her senior class to discover a option to honor his legacy.
“We had a big basketball meeting with Coach Mello, who stood and talked with all the basketball players, and he mentioned that they were going to try to do a chair and a plaque for Rabbi Ellenson and I kind of stood up from the seat and said ‘Can the seniors purchase that gift?'” Bega added.
The memorial plaque and the chair honoring Rabbi Ellenson can be completely put in on the Adelson gymnasium proper after commencement in Might 2025.
“I want to make sure Rabbi Ellenson is still able to watch every single game, and I want people to see how much he made an impact on our players,” Bega beamed. “I want them to look and see that Rabbi Ellenson is still cheering them on and is still with us, and all the parents are able to see how much of a memory he is, and they are playing every single game to honor his memory.”
Bega can also be attempting to lift cash, which can go totally to Rabbi Ellenson’s spouse and a couple of daughters. Her purpose is to lift as much as $50k to assist his household.
