LONGMEADOW, Massachusetts – Ryan Ascher and Robert Zimmerman, owner/operations of Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home, will be honored by Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA) at the Longmeadow school’s annual scholarship dinner on Wednesday, June 29 , to be held at LYA, 1148 Converse St. in Longmeadow.

Together, the two honorees have operated Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Inc., since 2006, following the retirement of Ryan’s father, Robert Ascher. The funeral home, which serves the Jewish community of the Pioneer Valley, was opened in 1954 by the elder Ascher’s parents, Harold and Jeanette Ascher, to serve the Jewish community in the Pioneer Valley.

Among their many communal activities, Ryan Ascher and Robert Zimmerman are longtime strong supporters of LYA and have sponsored many community events at the school.

“Our connection to LYA goes back to Rabbi David Edelman, of blessed memory, who was always warm and welcoming. Affiliation was never important to him, but the personal connection was,” says Zimmerman. “Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Inc. is a local business that supports our community, but we feel a special connection to supporting Jewish education. Once someone is educated, no one can take that away.”

In addition, at the dinner LYA will also recognize Patrick Azoulay with the Pillar of Torah award. Azoulay is the father of three children of three LYA students, who attended the school in the ‘80s and ‘90s. During that time, he was very active in programming at LYA when his three children were students there in the ‘80s and ‘90s.the school and attended services at Beis Medresh Lubavitch. Azoulay  He currently lives in Albany, New York, and continues to support LYA.

For information about LYA’s annual scholarship dinner or to make reservations, email info@lya.org or call (413) 567-8665. Reservations are due by June 21.