Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 351 - 375 of 497
The Jewish world has lost one of its most prolific funders with the passing of Sheldon Adelson, whose business empire spanned continents and whose $35 billion personal fortune ranked him #38 on the Forbes list worldwide. At times outspoken and controversial, Adelson, age 87, had been receiving treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Philanthropy Though Jews are disproportionately generous in charitable giving, less than 10 percent of Jewish mega-donations go to Jewish or Israeli causes. Sheldon...
Ronald A Bleecker, age 85, passed away peacefully at OrlandoHealth - Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Ron was born on April 29, 1935, to the late Morris and Ruth Katzman Bleecker. He graduated from Bryant College in Providence and served in the U.S. Navy. On July 4, 1958, in New York City, he married the former Yvonne Kuperman, his wife of over 62 years who survives him. During his career, Ron worked at several accounting companies and retired in 1996. At one time he was an avid stamp...
Joel Rubin, age 81, of Heathrow, passed away on Dec. 31, 2020, at Advent-Health Altamonte Springs after a prolonged illness. Joel was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 28, 1939, the youngest of the three children of Harry Rubin and Rose Balansky Rubin. He and his family moved to Long Beach, N.Y., when he was 13. Joel went on to study at CW Post, NYU and St. John's University earning a master's and Ph.D. in American literature and a second master's degree in Russian literature. He also served i...
Paul C. Gips, age 91, of Maitland, passed away Dec. 28, 2020. He was the only child born to parents Leon and Anne Gips June 9, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts. Paul grew up in Miami Beach, served as a sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers in the Korean War, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering from the University of Florida. Shortly after graduating from college, Paul found his life-long career at H.J. High Construction Company where he worked as Vice-President until his retirement. Paul met Sandra Hornbuckle in 1...
Debra Sue Vangrov, age 67, of Maitland, passed away peacefully at her residence, on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. Born in New York on June 9, 1953, she was a daughter of the late Melvin and Bernice Furstman. On Aug. 24, 1975, in Dayton, Ohio, Debra married Dr. Mark Vangrov, her husband of 45 years, who survives her. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati and worked as a designer, specializing in kitchens and baths. The family relocated to the Orlando area from Los Angeles in 1980, and have been members of Temple Israel. In addition to her...
Solomon Katz, age 100, passed away peacefully at his residence on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. A Bronx native, he was a veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of City College of New York and earned his CPA and JD degrees from Marshall College of Law and worked as an IRS attorney. In 1957, in Cleveland, he married the late Phyllis Negin who predeceased him in 2000. They moved from Cleveland to Miami Beach and he relocated to Orlando in 2006. He is survived by his son, Dr. Barry (Ilyse) Katz of Maitland; and daughters, Yvonne (late Sorrell)...
Submitted by the family On Nov. 27, 2020, Helen Lieberman — wife, mother, sister and daughter — passed away at the age of 84. Helen will be remembered by her husband and best friend, “Sid” Harvey Lieberman, and their two sons, Alan and Gary. Helen will also be remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and her dear friends. Helen was born on Jan. 30, 1936, in Everett, Massachusetts, to Louis and Rose Levine. She graduated from Everett High School and later married her best friend, “Sid,” at the age of 18. They were married for...
Submitted by the family Charlotte Kaye (Geartner) Kaleky passed away on Nov. 25, 2020. Charlotte was born in Baltimore, Md., on Feb. 9, 1932, and resided in West Orange, New Jersey. In the 1960s, Charlotte ventured off with her four children to live in Miami Beach, Florida. She joined her dad’s manufacturer’s representative company in electronics, and stayed there until her first husband, Jack’s, retirement. In 1973, she married Leonard Kaleky (d. 2006), and became president, CFO, and entrepreneur of several endeavors, including the souve...
Ariel Benjamin Osteen, born Feb. 13, 1990, beloved son of Michal and David Osteen, cherished brother of Talia and Yoni, adored uncle of Elliott and Liam, and dear friend to many, passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. He will forever be remembered for his kindness, his love of people and of nature; for his brilliant smile, shining eyes, inquisitive mind, empathic soul, and open heart. It was his life's work to save lives, and he succeeded in this as a friend and as a First Responder. The salve for...
Althea Miller, a long time Lakeland resident, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. Althea was the third child born to Albert and Jeanette Sofness in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1926. In 1948, Althea traveled to Lakeland, Florida, to visit her sister, Celia Stone. She met her husband, Joe Miller, on a blind date and three weeks later they were married. Joe and Althea were married for 45 years until Joe’s untimely death in July 1993. Lakeland was their home, where they raised three children, M...
Carole Ann Francis, age 84, of Lake Mary, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Assisted Living in Lake Mary, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. Carole was born in Boston on May 18, 1936, a daughter of the late Nathan and Ruth Mezikofsky Loeb. Carole attended Boston area schools and was married to Leonard Francis, her husband of 57 years, when he passed away in 2010. The family relocated to the Orlando area in 1961. Carole was a fashion buyer in women’s retail and a co-owner of Gibbs-Louis, an Orlando landmark for women’s clothing. Following her retirem...
Geoffery David Hermann, age 54, passed away at his home on Saturday, October 17, 2020. A Cleveland native, Geoff was born on July 16, 1966, to David and Melody Steele Hermann. He was a high school graduate and worked as a housing inspector. Geoff is survived by his parents, David and Melody, of Longwood and his brothers Marc Lane Hermann of Longwood and Bryan Michael Hermann of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by his son Brandon Hermann of Kissimmee and his daughter, Crystal Hermann of Leesburg. Due to the Corona virus pandemic, a private...
Alan Philip Rosen, age 72, of Clermont, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. He was born in Bronx, New York, to the late Herman and Edna Hyman Rosen on Aug. 5, 1948. Mr. Rosen was a high school graduate and served in the United States Army. He was a diesel mechanic for the New York City Transit Authority. He and his wife, the former Ellen Sherman, who survives him, were married on March 18, 1969 in Switzerland and, again, the following day, in Germany. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2019, by renewing their vows at...
Marshall Leon Helbraun, age 84, passed away at home on Oct. 10, 2020, surrounded by his family. A native of Chicago, Marshall moved to Central Florida in 1979. A trusted professional who cared deeply for the needs of his clients, Marshall embodied his insurance agency’s tag line: “First we listen, then we deliver.” During his years in both Chicago and Central Florida, Marshall was involved with the Jewish community, serving on congregational boards of directors and contributing to Jewish causes. Marshall is survived by Melinda, his wife of 59 y...
Howard Earl Gold, age 81, of Winter Park, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, at AdventHealth Winter Park. Howard was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, a son of the late David and Julia Cohen Gold. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts earning a degree in Engineering and worked as an Industrial Engineer in the Soft Goods Industry. In 1959, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, he married the former Barbara Meyer, his wife of nearly 62 years who survives him. They relocated to the Orlando area from Massachusetts in 1994 and are...
Submitted by the family Revered violin teacher Dr. Lev Isaacovich Gurevich passed away on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. A beacon of classical music performance and instruction in the Central Florida community, he was loved by all his students and colleagues but most of all by his beloved wife, Michele Gurevich and his son, Michael “Misha” Gurevich. He is also survived by his daughter, Vera Gubnitskaia; her husband, Lee Foster, of Orlando; and grandchildren, Polina Gubnitskaia and Daniel Foster. He is also survived by former spouses Svetlana Gub...
Joaquin Kessler, age 91, of Winter Park, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, at HealthCentral Ocoee. Mr. Kessler, a native of San Salvador, El Salvador, was born on Aug. 15, 1929, in San Salvador to the late Leon and Sonia Talis Kessler. He was educated in El Salvador and worked for many years in hardware sales. He relocated to the Orlando area in 2015, to be closer to his family. Mr. Kessler is survived by his daughter Sonia Kessler (Mario Munoz) and his grandchildren, Rodrigo Munoz of San Francisco ,Calif., and Mario Andres...
Joseph Paul Myerson, age 61, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at Oviedo Medical Center. A native of New York, he was born on July 20, 1959, a son of the late Robert I. and Paula W. Myerson. He served in the U.S. Army and earned his master’s degree in bio-chemical engineering. He was married to his wife, Michelle, for over 33 years, who survives him. The family relocated to the Orlando area in 2002, from South Florida. In addition to his wife, Mr. Myerson is survived by his sons, Michael (Megan) Myerson of Oviedo and Andy Myerson of O...
WASHINGTON (JTA) - Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court and a tireless advocate for gender equality, has died at 87. A fierce jurist known for her outsized presence and outspokenness, Ginsburg died from "complications of metastatic pancreas cancer," the Supreme Court announced Friday night. She had survived multiple bouts of different cancers over the course of two decades, vowing that she was healthy enough to continue her work and at times returning to the...
Submitted by the family Leonard Goldman, age 83, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, at AdventHealth Orlando Hospital after surgery and a heroic fight to keep spending more days with his best friend and love of his life, Marilyn D Goldman. Marilyn and Leonard were married for 58 years. While he had some health challenges during his later years, he was strong and determined to live life to the fullest. Leonard always said his best accomplishments were his family. Even through many years of hard work as a corporate attorney, he was able to...
Submitted by the family Ruth Margaret Wallace passed away on Sept. 11, 2020. Ruth was a very special person. She was smart, kind and loving. She loved her children, grandchildren, her brothers, her brothers’ spouses, children and their children, her dog and her friends. She was a labor and delivery nurse at Florida Hospital for over 35 years and she was extremely well respected for the work she did there. Ruth is survived by her three children — David, Beth and Ben; her grandchildren— Emma, Ty, Daniel and Jacob; her brothers, Leon and Ross...
Submitted by family Ruth “Billie” Goldhar, 96, of Longwood, Fla., passed away on Aug. 29, 2020. She was born on Sept. 28, 1923 to the late Joseph and Naomi Lehman in Chicago. She was married to the late David Goldhar for 61 years. Ruth and David moved to the Orlando area in 1956. She worked for the State of Florida for 30 years as an administrative assistant, where she helped many people with spinal chord and brain injuries rehabilitate so they were able to work. Ruth was very proud of her Jewish heritage and supported many Jewish age...
Jack Chudney, age 88, of Oviedo, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Savannah Court of Oviedo, following a brief illness. Mr. Chudney was born on Sept. 10, 1931, in Sosnowiec, Poland, to the late Harry and Sara Hershkowitz Chudney. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jacqueline Portnoy Chudney. They retired to the Orlando area in 2010 and he was a retired electrical engineer. Mr. Chudney is survived by his loving children: sons, David (Jay) Chudney of Orlando; Steven (Ralph) Chudney of Mt. Vernon, N.Y.; daughter, Donna...
Submitted by the family Allan M. Etzkin wa born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Feb. 28, 1947 to Joe and Paula Etzkin and died on Aug. 30, 2020, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., at the age of 73. At the age of 16, Allan, and his twin brother, Michael, moved with their parents to Cleveland, Ohio, while oldest brother Steven stayed in Wisconsin. In Cleveland, he met his future wife, Joanne (Bunny) Bradley and graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. Allan received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Education at Ohio University and his d...
Ruth L. “Billie” Goldhar, age 96, passed away peacefully at Village on the Green HealthCare Center, Longwood, on Saturday evening, Aug. 29, 2020. Billie was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Sept. 28, 1923, to the late Joseph and Naomi Duckman Lehman. Billie attended college and worked as an administrative assistant for the State of Florida following the family’s move to Florida in 1956. Her husband, David Goldhar, predeceased her in February 2005. Billie was an active member of the Jewish Pavilion and Rishona Hadassah. She is survived by her daugh...
