Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1357
Written by the family Louise Samara Brown, 74, of Longwood, FL, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Louise was born on Aug. 23, 1950, in Patterson, New Jersey. Her parents were entrepreneurs who backed numerous ventures on both Broadway and in the Catskills. Through their work, she ran into many stars of the day, including Gene Kelly, Vincent Price, Don Ameche, Ray Charles, and Tito Puente. She met Philip Brown, the love of her life, at a singles dance that...
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Alma DiGloria, who left this world on Feb. 14, 2025, at the age of 89, following a brief illness. Born in Queens, New York, on Oct. 22, 1935, Alma built a life filled with dedication, service, and love. In 1971, she moved with her family to Orlando, where she became a longtime resident of College Park. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree with Magna Cum Laude honors from Rollins College and pursued a career with AT&T, where she worked in...
Steven Hamer, 68, of St. Cloud, Florida, passed away peacefully on Feb. 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who filled the lives of those around him with love and kindness. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Debra (Foxman) Hamer; his children, Rebecca (Quentin) Campbell and Melissa Hamer; and his cherished grandchildren Elijah and Delilah, who brought him endless joy. He was also a loving brother to Allan...
Betty Watzman Monroe, age 100, of Winter Park, passed away on Feb. 7, 2025, at her home at the Mayflower. The daughter of Joseph and Sarah Denmark, she was born on Nov. 23, 1924, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and grew up in Steubenville, Ohio, where she met and married Milton Watzman in 1946. Betty and Milt moved to Orlando, after a brief stay in Pensacola, Fla., in 1959, and together opened and managed Kara-Lyn, a women's and children's clothing store, with multiple locations throughout the Orlando area....
Submitted by the family Joan (Grant) Belice Rosenman, 91, passed away Feb. 3, 2025. She was born on April 28, 1933, in New York City. She was raised by her mother, Gertrude (Hirsch) Weisenfeld, and her stepfather, Jacob, in Queens, N.Y. Joan earned her RN at the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn in 1954. She felt a calling for the elderly and worked in geriatrics for the majority of her career. Joan fell in love with and married Michael Belice in 1958. They were married for 42 years until Mike passed...
Mrs. Charlotte Brownstein, 87 Orlando, Florida passed away Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at Harbor Chase of Dr. Phillips following a long illness. Mrs. Charlotte (Ettenger) Brownstein was born Jan. 24, 1937, to the late Max and Eve (Cohen) Ettenger of blessed memory. She moved to Delray Beach, Florida in 2001 from Bucks County, Pennsylvania before moving to Orlando, Florida in 2020. Mrs. Brownstein had worked as a phlebotomist and lab technician for the VA. Worked as Preschool teacher and assisted her...
Bernice Davids of Longwood, Florida passed away suddenly on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 3, 1930, she was the last surviving child of Tillie and Louis Kornick. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Davids. She is survived by her children: Dr. Mark (Debbie) Davids of Longwood, Florida; Enid (Michael) Rudney of Havertown, Pennsylvania; and Idelle Davids of Asheville, North Carolina. She was the proud grandmother of Aaron (Gabriella) and Benjamin and the very...
Joshua Manuel Miguel, 35, passed away on Jan. 18, 2025. Born on Feb. 27, 1989, in Homestead, Florida, Joshua was a devoted son, brother, and father who proudly served his country. His unwavering love for his family and steadfast faith defined his life and will continue to inspire those who knew him and a proud United States Army veteran. He is deeply missed by his beloved son, Aahmir; his mother, Aida; and his siblings, Jose, Danny, Monica, Marjy, Madelyn, and Jose Angel. Joshua’s presence brought warmth and strength to those around him, and h...
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Dennis Ross Wagner, devoted husband, loving father, and proud, blinded veteran, who left us on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at age 84. Born on June 28, 1941, in Hampshire, IL, Dennis lived a life marked by dedication and deep love for his wife Linda and service to the military, Children of the World and Special Olympics. A veteran of the Army, he honorably served his country during the Vietnam War Era and as an honor guard member for President John F....
It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Joy Benjamin Zerivitz, who tragically left us on Jan. 25, 2025, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. She was 61 years old. A longtime resident of Central Florida, Joy lived in Altamonte Springs, Florida, with her loving husband, Don, her sons, Ben (Olivia) of Winter Park, Florida, and Teddy (Kayla) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and their beloved family cat, Scout. Born in Orlando, Florida, Joy was the cherished daughter of George z"l and Wi...
Lindsay and Ira Bellinkoff of Winter Park, Fla., are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Bina Winter Bellinkoff. Winnie was born on Dec. 30, 2024, in time to celebrate the new year, open presents on Chanukah and provide her parents with a tax deduction! She weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long. Also welcoming Winnie is her proud big brother, Benjamin (Benji) Gray Bellinkoff, and her grandparents, Caryn and Robert Winter of Orlando, Fla., Debra and Irwin Bellinkoff of Lake Mary,...
Written by the family Our mother and grandmother, Stefanie Hanagud nee Ruben nee Berger, was a strong, independent woman before it was a thing. Stubborn and determined, she was also an eternal optimist and beyond generous with her family. A holocaust survivor, born in the Budapest ghetto in Hungary during WW2, she survived both the Nazi's and Communists. After leaving her native land with her family for Argentina, at the age of 17, she travelled by herself to the United States to marry my grandf...
(JTA) - Peter Yarrow, one-third of the hit-making 1960s folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, and a Jewish activist who promoted Israeli-Palestinian coexistence and other progressive causes, died Tuesday at age 86. The longtime resident of Manhattan's Upper West Side entered hospice last month. The cause of death was bladder cancer. Yarrow was a Cornell graduate playing in Greenwich Village clubs during the early 1960s folk revival when manager and musical impresario Albert Grossman, who also...
(JTA) - WASHINGTON (JTA) – Jimmy Carter, the one-term president who brokered the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt but earned pariah status in some corners of the Jewish community for his criticisms of Israel, has died. Carter, who had remained active into his final years despite a 2015 diagnosis of liver cancer, died Dec. 29, 2024, at 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia, his nonprofit announced. Carter's work at Camp David in 1978 led to the first peace treaty between I...
Written by the family James Joseph Shipley, z”l, passed away peacefully in Los Angeles on Dec. 28, 2024, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of love, inspiration, and profound impact on the lives of his family, friends, and community. A devoted husband, loving father of four, and cherished grandfather and great-grandfather, Jim’s vibrant spirit, wit, humor, and positive energy inspired everyone he encountered, and he had an absolute gift for storytelling. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., with a natural talent for entertainment and innovation, Jim...
Judith J. “Judi” (Paul) Featherston died peacefully on Dec. 26, 2024, in hospice care at Advent Health in Altamonte Springs. Her health had been in decline in recent years. Judi was born March 3, 1951, in Wilmington, Delaware and graduated from PS DuPont High School. She had an enjoyable and fulfilling career as a message center representative, and through her work met Roger Featherston. They were married for over 30 years. Judi had a very close relationship with her parents, Grace and Sidney Paul, her sister, Sallie Kanofsky Rietmann; all of...
Mrs. Carolyn Raphaelson, 84, Winter Park, Florida passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, following a brief illness. Mrs. Raphaelson was born Feb. 4, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois and came to Orlando in 1947 from Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Raphaelson is predeceased by her parents, former Orange County Property Appraiser Ford Hausman and Ruby Virginia (Wilson) of blessed memory. She is also predeceased by her son Greg Walsh of blessed memory. Mrs. Raphaelson is survived by her loving husband of 22 years,...
(JTA) - As 2024 came to a close, we looked back and mourned the Jewish icons who have left outsized legacies on politics, the arts, sports and everything in between In chronological order, here is a selection of obituaries of 18 notable Jews who died in 2024. Pearl Berg At the time of her death, Pearl Berg was thought to be the oldest Jewish person in the world, and the ninth-oldest overall. A philanthropist active in her local Hadassah chapter, Berg was married for 58 years to Mark Berg, a...
Written by Karen Zatz Saul Zatz was born on Jan. 19, 1943, to his parents, Meyer and Sarah Zatz of Atlantic City, New Jersey. He lived a life filled with the love of his wife and children and dedicated in service to the Jewish community. He is survived by his adored wife, Lea Zatz; his cherished children, Harold Zable (Chris) and Karen Zatz (Paul Bloom); as well as five grandchildren that he was enormously proud of: Seve Zatzenbloom, Mira Zatzenbloom, Willa Zatzenbloom, Rebecca Zable and Aether Zable. He is also survived by his beloved older...
Mr. Jerome (Jerry) Brownstein, 84, Orlando, Florida passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at Harbor Chase of Dr. Phillips following a long illness. Mr. Brownstein was born July 25, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Isaac and Frances (Smith) Brownstein of blessed memory. He moved to the Delray Beach in 2001 from Bucks County, Pennsylvania before moving to Orlando in 2020. Mr. Brownstein a born leader, hard worker, high school teacher, Roster Chairman, vice president for his synagogue,...
Dr. Randall "Randy" B. Coverman, M.D., a cherished husband, father, and esteemed dermatologist, passed away peacefully at his home in Longwood, Florida, on Dec. 6, 2024. Born on March 15, 1950, in Bucyrus, Ohio, Randy was the beloved son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Louis Coverman. Randy's academic journey led him to the University of Miami Medical School, where he earned his medical degree. He further honed his expertise in dermatology through a residency at UCLA, followed by specialized training...
Gerson Lee Sacks was born in Burgettstown, PA, in 1936 to Isidore Benjamin and Sarah (Stone) Sacks, owners of the Sacks Department Store. He grew up known as "Sonny" with his older sister, Ruth (Chusid), who is deceased. He is survived by his former wife, Barbara (Kichline), the mother of his two sons, Jeffrey (Elizabeth) and Jonathan (Diana). His legacy also includes three grandchildren: Rebekah (11), Shane (10), and Benjamin (8). Additionally, he is survived by his longtime companion, Elinor...
I was quite surprised and so sorry to hear of Harris’ death. Surprised, because I always pictured Harris to be invincible and that he would live forever. Sorry, because his loss leaves a great void not only in his family, but in the Orlando community at large, and certainly in the Orlando Jewish community. I expected his life to go on forever so that he could continue to do his unbelievable and role-model good deeds. I first met Harris right after he got to Orlando, introduced by Hy Lake, with the direction to solicit Harris for a gift to the J...
Submitted by the family Martin Cohen, M.D., 86, of Pittsburgh, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at 1:05 a.m. Born in NYC, New York, Martin met the love of his life and future wife, Brenda Lee Kaplan, through mutual friends in Kansas City. The couple added to their family in Burbank, California, with the births of Adam and Julie. The family soon moved to Pittsburgh, where they have lived for over 56 years of their 63-year marriage. Martin's second home for over 50 years w...
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Mayer, formerly of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., and most recently of Longwood, FL. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Gary attended the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy before embarking on a career as a pharmacist. He later channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into founding several successful businesses in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, including A Copy A Second, Appetite Control Centers, and Culinary Diet Shoppe. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, G...
