obituaries
BRANDOW THEODORE - November 18, 1925 -
January 28, 2023
Theodore Brandow passed away
suddenly in his Camp Hill PA home
(formerly of Philadelphia PA) on Jan.

28 at the age of 97. He was the be-
loved husband of Dr. Selma Brandow
(nee Koss); loving father of Jonathan
Brandow (Susan Brodkin), Riannon
Walsh, and Shanna Brandow; ador-
ing grandfather of Emily Rachael
Brandow, Sarah Danielle Carvajal
(Alex), and
great-granddaughter Evalina. Contributions in his memory
may be made to the Breast Cancer
Research Foundation (https://give.

bcrf.org/fundraiser/4063195) In his
book Closer to Saturday Ted described
his childhood experiences at home
and at the Girard College school for
orphan boys. That and other childhood
experiences compelled him to seek
out and offer love to those around
him, inside his family and beyond.

He was proud but not boastful of his
time as a machinist’s mate in the Navy
during World War II. As soon as he
returned from the service in 1945 he
married Selma, whom he had known
since fifth grade and dated since high
school. Each home he lived in—from
the row house in Southwest Philly to
his long-term house in Erdenheim and
his last apartment in Camp Hill—was
flooded with his paintings, sculptures
and representing fantasy animals, hu-
morous, historical and cultural charac-
ters. His art loved the female body but
considered the male body a subject
for comedy only. His drawings and
sculptures cherished the Jewish peo-
ple and Israel. His pride in Jewish life
shone through his artwork, but also his
community activity. He designed and
literally built the first (and still the only)
synagogue in Springfield Township for
the cluster of Jews who had moved
there in the mid-Fifties. After moving
to Camp Hill, he designed and super-
vised a complete renovation of Temple
Beth Shalom, the synagogue he at-
tended with his extended family. He
traveled extensively in Israel and per-
formed volunteer work there during the
Yom Kippur and first Lebanon wars. In
his last years he was saddened by
what he perceived as a racist and an-
ti-democratic turn in a second country
he loved. He spent his professional ca-
reer as an architect creating enjoyable
living spaces for tens of thousands of
families, from struggling lower mid-
dle-class developments and garden
apartments to estates that—even in
the sixties—ran into the millions. He
constantly renovated his own homes
and freely offered his help in design-
ing new spaces and giving old ones
new life for friends and family. Design
and art were his passions, but family
was his love. He doted on his children
and grandchildren and was thrilled
to live long enough to experience his
great-granddaughter Evalina. May the
shekhinah grant him a more complete
level of peace in the world to come.

Joseph Levine & Sons
www.levinefuneral.com GERSON
MARY A. (nee Hinkel), age 81, passed
away February 2, 2023. Beloved
wife of the late Allan Gerson. Loving
mother of Rhonda Donofrio (Michael),
Geoffrey Gerson, Cynthia Gerson,
Gregory Gerson, and Matthew
Gerson (Erin). Adoring grandmother
of Victoria, Andrea, Alexis, Avery,
and Lainey. Dear sister of Thomas
Hinkel (Margaret), and Joan Hinkel.

Contributions in her memory may be
made to The American Association of
Hematology or Greenpeace.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
GOLDFARB DR. IRVING HARRY on February 3,
2023. Beloved husband of Marlene
(nee Altus); Loving father of David
Goldfarb (Alyssa) and Rebecca
Goldfarb; Dear brother of Rosalie
Lazarow (David); Adoring grandfa-
ther of Noah and Michaela Goldfarb.

Remembered fondly by devoted niec-
es and nephews. Contributions in his
memory may be made to Alzheimer’s
Assoc., 399 Market St., Ste 250,
Phila., PA 19106, www.alz.org
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
KRAVITZ JOYCE, a lifelong activist for social
justice and an advocate for children,
died of cancer on February 2, 2023,
in New York City. She was 72. Her
career included 30 years as a senior
executive, communications strategist,
and spokesperson for a major news
network, a Fortune 500 company,
the federal government, and a na-
tional political party. Joyce was born
and raised in Philadelphia, where she
gained a passion for politics from her
mother, Shirley Kravitz, who was a
fixture in the state’s Democratic Party.

In 1972, Joyce was hired as a press
assistant at the Democratic National
Committee headquarters just weeks
after the Watergate break-in. She
shifted to President Jimmy Carter’s
White House press office in 1977,
and later became Deputy Director for
Congressional and Public Affairs at
the Office of the United States Special
Trade Representative. In 1980, Joyce
entered the private sector as Manager
of Media Relations for Philip Morris in
New York. Later, she became Director
of News Information for ABC News
where she oversaw public relations for
Nightline, World News Tonight, 20/20,
and documentaries. With the elec-
tion of President Bill Clinton, Joyce
returned to government as Senior
Advisor at Voice of America, and later
as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Information
Agency (USIA). Concurrently, she
earned her Master’s Degree in
Counseling at Trinity College to refo-
cus her career on her lifelong passion
to work with children. In 2001, she
returned to Philadelphia to become
the school counselor at Delaplaine
McDaniel Primary School. She re-
joiced in helping children reach their
academic and social potential. Joyce’s
sense of adventure, deep commitment
to her friendships, and dry wit were
gifts that transformed the lives of ev-
eryone she touched. Joyce was god-
mother and auntie to many and bubbe
to her beloved Lev Eisenberg. She
was predeceased by her mother, her
father, Harry S. Kravitz, and brother,
Marc. A graveside service of remem-
brance is scheduled for 1 pm, Sunday,
April 23, at Har Nebo Cemetery,
Philadelphia, PA. Donations may be
made to CareLink Community Support
Services, a Pennsylvania-based or-
ganization helping people with devel-
opmental and mental health issues;
Tikvah AJMI, a Pennsylvania agency
supporting families affected by men-
tal illness; or, the Pennsylvania Court
Appointed Special Advocates where
Joyce was certified to advocate in the
courts for abused and neglected chil-
dren. PLAZA JEWISH COMMUNITY
CHAPEL, INC.

https://www.plazajewishcommunity- chapel.org/
NEWMAN LITE
ALAN B., on February 4th, 2023.

Beloved husband of Cindy (nee
Jones); loving father of Melanie
(Prairie) Matthews, Stephen (Sharon)
Lite; cherished brother of Glenn
(Laura) Lite. Adoring pop-pop of six
grandchildren. Contributions in his
memory may be made to the American
Heart Association or to the American
Diabetes Association.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
MARGULIES SIDNEY, age 95, of Wynnewood, PA
passed on February 5, 2023. Sidney
was the beloved husband of Adele
(nee Levin); the loving father of
Benson (Karen Mackenzie), Esther
(Richard Destin), Andrew (Rena
Ellenbogen); and the adoring grandfa-
ther of Hannah, Caleb, Dvora, Josiah,
Family owned and Operated since 1883
22 FEBRUARY 16, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT
Lilia, Isabelle and Juliet. Sidney prac-
ticed law in Philadelphia for more than
50 years. He served on the boards
of the AJC, Auerbach CAJE, Moss
Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Jewish
Federation. In lieu of flowers contribu-
tions in his memory may be made to
Main Line Reform Temple (mlrt.org)
or the Jewish Federation (jewishphilly.

org) JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS
www.levinefuneral.com GERARD “Jerry” , of Far Rockaway,
New York, passed away on Friday,
January 27th, 2023 at the age of 85.

He is survived by his beloved wife,
Paula Newman; children, Stephanie
(Stan) Walder, and Roger (Kristin)
Newman; grandchildren, Jaden and
Gabrielle Yanovitz, Michael Newman,
and step-son, Bruce (Lisa) Delarso,
and step-grandchildren, Jared, Dylan,
and Colby Delarso. He was prede-
ceased by his sister, Roslyn, and
parents, Paul and Ethel Newman.

Jerry was sports loving, the funniest
person in the room, and always an
easy-go-lucky sweet guy. He was al-
ways encouraging those around him.

This made him a great manager of all
things. A Celebration of Life will be held
at The State Room, 7350 State Road,
Philadelphia, PA 19136 on Sunday
March 19, 2023 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm.

Send notes, pictures or questions to
syanovitz@gmail.com. May his mem-
ory forever be a blessing.