Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1311
Submitted by the family It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Carol Goss, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, who left us at the age of 82. Surrounded by her family and loved ones, Carol peacefully passed away on Aug. 15, 2024, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Carol was a remarkable woman whose life was a testament to love, strength, and selflessness. A devoted wife to her partner, Kathy, of many years, Carol shared a bond that was b...
Submitted by the family Harold Lester Oxer, known to friends and family as Les, died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Aug. 23, 2024. He was 98. Les was the most sociable of men. He loved to go camping, towing a 30-foot trailer to all parts of the United States. He loved playing board games, billiards and horseshoes and trading stories around a fire. Les was born Oct. 8,1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Pauline Cohen and Joseph Oxer. He had two older siblings: a brother, Hyman, and...
Submitted by the family Helen Hosid was born Dec. 21, 1919, in New York City at Lenox Hill Hospital. She was the first daughter of two born to Abe and Mary Jabitsky, who had emigrated from Poland. The birth was not recorded in the December 1919 book, but the January 1920 book. This caused Helen quite some difficulty when she needed a copy of her birth certificate. Helen was raised in the Bronx and attended PS 75, PS 60 and James Monroe High School. A requirement of graduation was the ability to...
Submitted by the family Aaron Smargon, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2024, at the age of 79. He was born on Dec.17, 1944, in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1983, Aaron like many northerners, decided to leave the snow behind for sunny Florida where he and the family planted roots in the central Florida area. Aaron was a dedicated and loving family man. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 54 years, Donna Chenot-Smargon; his four...
(JTA) - Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive Holocaust survivor and Israeli military veteran who charmed and educated millions of listeners as the taboo-breaking radio sex therapist "Dr. Ruth," died on Friday at her home in Manhattan. She was 96. Her program, "Sexually Speaking,'" which launched in 1980 on the now defunct WYNY-FM, broke broadcasting taboos about talking about sex and helped make her the most famous sex therapist in the world - albeit one with a motherly demeanor and thick German...
Dr. Michael and Mrs. Jackie Hirsch are pleased to announce the bat mitzvah of their daughter Malena Hirsch, on Monday, July 1, 2024 (25th day of Sivan 5784). Malena read the Korach Torah portion at the Robinson’s Arch portion of the Kotel in Jerusalem, Israel. Cousins Shira Leibowitz Schmidt of Netanya, Yaakov Mantaka of Bnei Brak, and Roger Friedman of Irvine, California attended the ceremony. Rabbi David Ebstein and his wife Rena assisted in arranging for the bat mitzvah on the Temple Mount a...
Dr. Bernard Norman Gotlib, 96, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, passed away peacefully July 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Gotlib was born May 13,1928 in Bangor, Maine to the Abraham and Sarah (Nathanson) Gotlib of blessed memory. Dr. Gotlib graduated from the University of Maine and University of Vermont Medical School before completing his ENT training at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston. They lived most of their married lives and raised their children in Longmeadow,...
Eme Margolis Chaikin, 95, passed away at home peacefully and surrounded by her loving family, June 22, 2024. She was born in Philadelphia PA., the daughter of Sylvia and Jabob (Lou) Steriss on Nov. 2, 1928. Eme is survived by her children, Maxine Spadaro and spouse, Eugene; Jeffrey Margolis and spouse, Rachel; and Shirley Mayor; grandchildren, Jaimie Dunnick and spouse, Brandon; great-grandchildren, Claire and Benjamin; Stephanie Spadaro, Ollie and Charlie; Jeremy Margolis and spouse, Nicole;...
(JTA) — Morrie Markoff, who was born to Jewish parents in an East Harlem tenement in 1914 and lived to become what was believed to be the oldest man in the United States, died June 3 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 110. Markoff’s remarkable lifespan was matched by his remarkable lucidity: After he turned 100, Markoff became an avid blogger and author and saw his scrap metal sculpture exhibited at a Los Angeles gallery. His memoir, “Keep Breathing: Recollections from a 103-year-old,” was published in 2017. The Brain Donor Project, a nonprof...
(JNS) — Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, a key figure in the global Jewish community and pioneer of Jewish life around the globe, died on June 4. He was 74 years old, just days shy of his 75th birthday. As vice chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch (the educational arm of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement), he played a crucial role in the growth of the Chabad network worldwide. Entrusted by the Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson—Kotlarsky oversaw the establishment of thousands of Jewish centers, guiding shluchim (or “emissaries”) through the...
Yvette Wentziger Bressler, 85, passed away peacefully in Winter Park, Fla., on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Yvette born Aug. 12, 1938, to Simone and Francoise Wentziger in Paris, France. She graduated from Girls Latin High School 1956 and attended Mary Brooks College for interior decor, both in Boston. She married her husband of 60 years, Sidney W. Bressler, in 1960 in Cambridge, Mass., after meeting at their place of work at Gilchrist Department Store in Boston. In 1959, Yvette moved to Orlando, to b...
Mrs. Carol Ann Strasberg, 77, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 25, 2024, at her Longwood, Florida home following a brief illness. Mrs. Strasberg was born Jan. 9, 1947, in Sharon, Pennsylvania to the late Gerald and Nancy (Jordan) McDaniel of blessed memory. Mrs. Strasberg was a retired stewardess for Eastern Airlines. Mrs. Straberg is survived by her devoted husband of 51 years, James “Jim” Strasberg of Longwood, Florida; loving son, Jordan Strasberg of Orlando, Florida; beloved sister, Bar...
(JNS) — Acclaimed songwriter Richard M. Sherman, who along with his late brother Robert crafted the iconic melodies for Disney cinematic gems such as “Mary Poppins,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “The Jungle Book,” died on Saturday aged 95 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills due to age-related illness. One of the most prolific composer-lyricists in the history of family entertainment and a key member of Walt Disney’s inner circle of creative talents, Richard garnered nine Academy Award nominations (winning two Oscars for his...
Howard Kichler, passed away on May 20, 2024 (Iyar 12, 5784). Born in Chicago, Il., Howard Kichler moved to Central Florida from Tampa in 1967. He received a BSEd from the University of Tampa, and a Bachelor’s of Pharmacy from the University of Florida. He worked in both retail and hospital pharmacy for over 50 years, receiving recognition from both the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, and the Florida Board of Pharmacy for 50 years of service. He was given Lifetime honorary membership by the Florida Board of Pharmacy; the American Pharmacists A...
Arthur Richard Louv, Esq., aged 78, of Maitland, Florida passed away peacefully on May 29, 2024. Arthur lived a life marked by service, dedication and unwavering integrity. He was a proud graduate of St. John’s University and Vanderbilt University Law School. His academic achievements laid the foundation for a distinguished career in law, characterized by a profound commitment to his clients and a steadfast adherence to ethical principles. Before embarking on his legal career, Arthur served h...
Mrs. Frances “Fritzy” Solomon, 91, of Clermont, Florida passed away peacefully Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Inspired Living Ocoee surrounded by family following a brief illness. Mrs. Solomon was born June 21, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Alex and Betty (Meyerowitz) Friedenthal. Mrs. Solomon moved to the Central Florida area in 1985 from New York with her late husband Richard H. Solomon of blessed memory. Mrs. Solomon is survived by her loving daughters, Blanche Solomon of York, South Carolina, Dr. Maris (Cantor Doug) Ramsay of Cle...
Beatrice Susan Travitsky, age 83, died peacefully with her children by her side on May 24, 2024, under the care of Advent Health Hospice. Bea was born Sept. 17, 1940, in Queens, New York and was the daughter to Fay and Adolf (Ricky) Weinberger. Bea spent her childhood in Jackson Heights, New York. She graduated from Newtown High School in Queens at the top of her class. Bea worked in the Garment District in New York City and met Larry Travitsky through friends while he was still in the army....
Mrs. Marion Silkes, 93, of Leesburg, Florida passed away Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Avante of Leesburg following a brief illness. Mrs. Silkes was born July 25, 1930, in Berlin, Germany to the late Hans Werner and Gerta (Trakatsch) Munk. Mrs. Silkes moved to the Orlando area from Bowie, Maryland in 1987 with her late husband, Leonard Silkes, of blessed memory. She was a retired bank teller for Bank of America. Mrs. Silkes is survived by her beloved and devoted sisters, Edna Wulff of Melville, New...
Mr. Mikhail Fisher, 83, of Casselberry, Florida passed away peacefully Friday, May 3, 2024, at Advent Health Orlando following a brief illness. Mr. Fisher was born May 9, 1940, in Bershad, Ukraine to David and Buzya (Berman) Fisher of blessed memory. Mr. Fisher is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Alla (Berner) Fisher of Casselberry, Florida; devoted children - daughter, Svetlana (Anatoliy) Veksler of Casselberry, Florida; and son, Aleksandr Fisher of Chicago, Illinois; brother, Naum...
Craig and Nancy Ludin of Maitland, Florida are delighted to announce the engagement of their son, Daniel Ludin, to Michelle Plavnik, daughter of Eugene and Lilia Plavnik of Atlanta. Daniel is a graduate of the University of Florida – Business and Georgia Tech- Masters in Business Administration. Michelle is a graduate of Emory University- Chemistry and Georgia State- Masters in Chemistry. Daniel is a business consultant with Morgan Franklin focused on project management for IT & Tech and Michell...
Written by her daughter, Jacqueline Dubowsky Irma Dubowsky (née Manecofsky) passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024, of natural causes at her home at Allegro, in Winter Park, Fla. She was 98. Irma was born on Nov. 15, 1925, in Dorchester, Mass., the first child of Joseph and Bella Manecofsky (née Linsky). Irma loved fashion, and she continued to dress impeccably all her life. Even at 98 she still dressed for dinner every night, put on make-up, and had her hair and nails done every week. Irma h...
Mrs. Edith Fenster, 94, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2024, at her Lake Mary home following a brief illness. Mrs. Fenster was born May 22, 1929, in New York, New York to the late Abraham & Bella (Lifschitz) Krochek. She and her husband, Charles Fenster of blessed memory, moved to the Orlando area in 1959 from New York. Mrs. Fenster is survived by her devoted sons, Mark (Lynn) Fenster of Longwood, Florida and Bruce Fenster of Massapequa, New York; and brother, Barney Krochek of Long Island, New York. Funeral Services for Mrs. Fenster were held...
Written by the family Mr. Melvin Bernstein, 87, passed away peacefully Friday, April 12, 2024, at his Mount Dora, Florida home following a brief illness. Mr. Bernstein was born Oct. 21, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Harold and Sabina (Kaplan) Bernstein of blessed memory. He was the owner of Melcolor Labs and a United States Army veteran. Mr. Bernstein is survived by his wife Elaine (Nadler) Bernstein of Mount Dora, Florida; daughter, Melanie (Danny) Hirschberger of Sorrento, Florida;...
Written by the family Philip Fleishman, 58, of Orlando, Florida, entered into eternal rest Monday, April 8, 2024. Philip was born July 17, 1965, in Richmond, Virginia, son of Audrey Shipper Fleishman and the late Herman “Sandy” Fleishman of blessed memory. He was a graduate of University of South Carolina and the owner of Fleishman and Associates accounting firm in Winter Park, Florida. Philip served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. He was a classic car enthusiast, enjoyed playing the guitar but above all he was a devoted family man. Phi...
By her son, Dr. Lane Mercer Claire Mercer, a long-standing Orlando area resident, passed away after a brief illness on April 9, 2024 (1 Nisan 5784). She was 95 years old. Claire was born at the beginning of the Great Depression and spent most of her childhood in Newark, New Jersey. Growing up during the Depression, her childhood was difficult. She would joke that times were so tough her parents could not afford a middle name for her. A graduate of Weehawken High School in Newark, circumstances prevented her from pursuing a career in journalism...
