Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

By Gabe Friedman

(JTA) — Jewish communal mourning was defined in large part this year by Oct. 7. But other notable losses occurred throughout the year, of people who have left outsized legacies on politics, the arts, sports and everything in between.

In chronological order, here is a selection of obituaries of 20 of the most famous Jews who died in 2023.

Dick Savitt

Savitt became the first Jewish tennis player to win both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, in 1951. He also became the first Jewish athlete to appear on the cover of Time magazine, at a time when his Jewishness was looked down on...