obituaries
Professor of Medicine Gerald Escovitz
Passes Away at 85
BY GALL SIGLER
G erald Escovitz, retired pro-
fessor of medicine and board
member at Freire Charter
School, passed away on May 29th. He
was 85 years old.

Born and raised in Boston, Escovitz
attended Boston Latin School, the
oldest operating school in the United
States. A life-long fan of the Red
Sox, Escovitz used to hang outside of
Fenway Park with friends in his youth,
hoping to catch fly balls.

Together with his best friend since he
was six years old, Paul Daum, Escovitz
matriculated in Harvard. Following
graduation in 1958, they embarked on
a motorcycle trip in Europe, which
Karen Escovitz said in an email to the
Exponent, “was the source of many
stories, or maybe just a few that were
told many times.”
Escovitz went on to receive his med-
ical degree at State University of New
York Downstate in Brooklyn.

Escovitz’s interest in medicine was
entwined with a passion for educa-
tion. In 1969, Escovitz became assistant
professor and deputy director of the
regional medical program at Jefferson
Medical College, later the Sidney
Kimmel Medical College at Thomas
Jefferson University.

Escovitz later went on to work at the
Medical College of Philadelphia for
three decades as a doctor, professor and
vice dean.

Escovitz’s dedication to education did
not falter when he faced professional
challenges. In 1994, the Medical School of
Gerald Escovitz at his 85th birthday with his daughters Karen Escovitz and Lisa
Kerness. 
Courtesy of Karen Escovitz
Philadelphia and Hahnemann University
merged into Allegheny University of the
Health Sciences. Four years later, the
school declared bankruptcy and was
bought off by a corporation.

“I believe he was faced with hard
choices about whether to stay in an
environment that no longer demon-
strated values he held as important. He
did for a while, but ultimately left,” says
Karen Escovitz.

Escovitz contributed to the field as
a researcher as well. He co-authored
numerous papers on medical education,
healthcare and other related topics.

Escovitz’s retirement did not put an
end to his resolve to contribute to the
education field, on the contrary. Since
2001, Escovitz has served on the board
of Freire Charter School in numerous
capacities, including vice chair, trea-
surer and chair of the education com-
mittee. From 2014 to 2020, Escovitz
22 JULY 14, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
served as chair of the board.

“He was able to use his experience
as a medical school administrator to
bring some much needed perspective
and support to this developing school
which is dedicated to college-prep level
education for all- and primarily serves
kids from the poorer communities in
Philly. He was very proud of what
they had accomplished and built,” says
Karen Escovitz.

Escovitz oversaw 2,500 students
graduating from Freire. In a meeting
on June 9th, the Freire Board expressed
its gratitude to Escovitz’s work.

“Gerry always believed in the right
for every student to have the best, top-
notch college prep education regard-
less of race, background, zip code, or
experience,” mentioned the meeting’s
minutes. Although Jewish observance was not
stressed in the Escovitz household, the



Jewish community was dear to Escovitz.

“He was not religious, but strongly cul-
turally Jewish,” says Karen Escovitz.

Escovitz grew up in a Reform house-
hold and was involved in the reform
youth group NFTY as a teenager. Years
later, Karen was also involved with the
same movement, which she is certain
ABRAMS Kirk, July 7, 2022. Son of the late
Alfred and Shirley Abrams. Brother
of Hank (Helene) Abrams and the
late Marsha Abrams. Uncle of Nina,
Stephanie and Eric. Graveside ser-
vices are private. Contributions in
his memory may be made to the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society,
www.nationalmssociety.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
ADLER Martin “Marty” W., PhD Of Warm-
inster, PA, passed away on July 5,
2022. He was the son of the late
Sonia and Jacob “Jack” Adler. Be-
loved husband of Toby (Wisotsky),
father of Dr. Charles (Dr. Laura)
Adler and Eve Adler, brother of the
late Dr. Sheldon (Barbara) Adler,
Anita (late Tim) Flynt, and Jerrold
(Cindy) Adler, grandfather of Ilyssa
(Matt Wolf), Jennifer Adler, Sarah
Goldberg, and great-grandson Ja-
cob Shai Wolf. Marty grew up in
Washington Heights, NY and grad-
uated from Bronx HS of Science
and NYU and after returning from
Korea. He became the fi rst Ph.D.

graduate in Pharmacology from the
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
in New York. He moved to Phila-
delphia in 1960 to join the faculty
in the Department of Pharmacolo-
gy at Temple University School of
Medicine where he spent his entire
career of over 60 years. He was an
internationally recognized expert
in the fi eld of opiate pharmacolo-
gy and drug abuse research and
he co-founded the Temple Center
for Substance Abuse Research
(CSAR). He also was executive
secretary of The College on Prob-
lems of Drug Dependence (CPDD).

His passion was research and
teaching. In lieu of fl owers, dona-
tions in his memory can be made to
the National Multiple Sclerosis So-
ciety or The Michael J. Fox Foun-
“made him happy.”
In 1979, Escovitz spent six months
in Israel, where he worked on medical
education. In recent years, Escovitz frequented
Kol Nidre service with Karen Escovitz,
who led her chavura community
during High Holiday services for a
dation. Masks are required at the
Service and at Shiva.

JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS
www.levinefuneral.com AZEFF
Marlene (nee Soffer) passed July 3,
2022. Age 73. Beloved wife of Nel-
son Azeff. She was like a mother
to Philip (Susan) Azeff, and Yvonne
Azeff, and grandmother to Jacob
and Justin. Dear sister of William
Soffer. She was a graduate of
Temple University and retired from
a long career as a teacher and ad-
ministrator in the education fi eld.

Family and friends are invited her
funeral service on Wednesday July
6, 2022, 10am precisely, at Roos-
evelt Memorial Park 2701 Old Lin-
coln Highway, Trevose PA 19053.

Contributions in her memory may
be made to any charity that benefi ts
the State of Israel.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
Age 101 of North Wales PA. She is
survived by her loving son Robert
Katz. Grandmother of Kimberley
(David) Harris. Great grandmother
of Kyle and Ally Harris. She is
predeceased by her late husband
William Katz and her son David (Ei-
leen) Katz.

Marion was mostly know by her
nickname Menchy. Besides her
great concern and support for her
children she was fond of music,
played piano, played cards, took
lessons in painting and drawing,
loved to travel, and loved entertain-
ing and cooking at home for friends
and family functions. She grew up
in South Philadelphia and had life-
long childhood friends that stayed
together for all their lives sharing
friendships and memories that are
priceless. Contributions in her memory can
be made to a charity of the donor’s
choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
KATZ BINSWANGER
Frank G. Jr. July 6, 2022 of Philadel-
phia, Pa. and Margate, NJ. Beloved
husband of Suzanne (nee Hirsch).

Devoted father of Eve B. Wildrick,
Jody (Andy) Snider and Jeff (Shau-
na) Binswanger. Cherished brother
of John (Gay Greene) Binswanger
and the late Robert Binswanger.

Proud grandfather of Remy (David)
Kline, Whitney (Zach) Jones, David
(Whitney) Snider, Jonathan (Annal-
isa) Snider, Zach and Katie. Loving
great-grandfather of Ellie, Stevie
and James. Services and interment
will be private. Contributions in his
memory may be made to Wesleyan
University (or) Deerfi eld Academy.

JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS
www.levinefuneral.com KATZ
Marion (nee Rowens) July 2, 2022.

few years. Karen Escovitz is not sure
if he attended “for religious reasons or
because he wanted to hear me sing.”
In his 60s, Escovitz decided to pur-
sue another passion of his – classical
music. He began singing in a classi-
cal choir. “His fi rst eff orts were pretty
awful, but he improved quickly,” says
Martin Katz, June 30, 2022, of
Phila.; beloved husband of Wilma
“Billie” (nee Heitzer); loving father
of Robert Katz (Stacey) and Lori
Soberman (Stuart); devoted broth-
er of Nancy Oblon (Arnie); cher-
ished grandfather of Jaime Rowley
(Jack), Rachel Soberman, Andrew
Katz and Jake Soberman. Marty as
he was affectionately known by all.

He was a pioneer in the turnaround
and restructuring business; a doc-
tor for sick businesses paving the
way for so many others. He sup-
ported, promoted, educated col-
leagues in our industry. His chari-
table ways within the community
as well as well as with his time with
younger people should be a lesson
for us all. One of our colleagues de-
scribed Marty this way and I could
not have said it better. Funeral
services were held on, Tuesday,
July 5, 2022, 11:00AM, at Joseph
Levine & Sons, 4737 Street Rd.,
Trevose, PA. Interment followed at
Montefi ore Cemetery. Shiva was
observed at the residence of Stac-
ey and Robert. In lieu of fl owers,
contributions in Martin’s memory
may be made to the Children’s Leu-
kemia Research Assoc. (childrens-
leukemia.org), or Thon-For the Kids
(thon.org). JOSEPH LEVINE AND SONS
www.levinefuneral.com Karen Escovitz.

Escovitz eventually performed with
Vox Ama Deus, led by the accom-
plished conductor Valentin Radu, at
the Kimmel Center.

Besides his daughter Karen, Escovitz
is survived by his wife, Francyn, and
grandchildren. JE
LESACK The Lesack family mourns the
passing of Dr. Linda Lesack, age
78, of Charlotte, North Carolina on
July 4, 2022.

Born on September 4, 1943, in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Wil-
liam and Eva Lebowitz, Linda at-
tended Girls High, Temple Univer-
sity, and the University of Missouri,
where she earned a doctorate in
Spanish in 1973. Affectionately
known as “Doctora” to her students,
she spent much of her career teach-
ing at the George Washington High
School in Northeast Philadelphia.

Linda and her late husband, Burton
Lesack, relocated from Cherry Hill,
New Jersey to the Ballantyne area
of Charlotte in 2004, becoming ac-
tive members of the Temple Israel
community. She believed deeply in
Jewish community and Jewish ed-
ucation, and loved to travel, espe-
cially to Spain with her high school
students and to Disney World with
her family.

Linda is survived by her children,
Warren Lesack (Barrie Stesis), Jeff
Lesack (Barb Johnson), Marshall
Lesack (Roseanne), and Daniel
Tuksar; the many grandchildren
who called her their Bubby - Emma,
Maya, Zoe, Cole, Elle, Maria, Ja-
son, Tzofi ya, Eliora, and Micha; her
sister, Lory Brenner; and her sister-
in-law, Gladys Lesack.

Donations in her honor can
be made to the Jack M. Barrack
Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr,
Pennsylvania and Temple Israel in
Charlotte, North Carolina.

Condolences may be offered at
www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com. MCEWEN FUNERAL HOME
PINEVILLE CHAPEL
www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com LEVINE
Jay H., of Ventnor, NJ, formerly of
Cherry Hill, NJ died July 6, 2022 in
Atlantic City, NJ. He was the hus-
band of Marsha Levine, father of
Ilene (Steven) Berman and Ellen
Northrup, grandfather of Lee (Kar-
ly), Holly (Ben), Nina, and Kyle and
great grandfather of Ryder, Van,
Ashton, Ryan and Lexi. Services
and burial took place at Roosevelt
Memorial Park in Trevose, PA. In
lieu of fl owers, the family requests
that donations be made in memo-
ry of Jay to Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia. Checks made out
to Children’s Hospital of Philadel-
phia Foundation can be mailed to
P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA
19178-1352. Please remember to
write in memory of Jay Levine on
the memo line of the check. Gifts
may also be made online at http://
www.chop.edu/give. PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS
www.plattmemorial.com MILLER
Dorothy (Nee Sorkin), July 6,
2022. Wife of Robert; mother of Iris
(Rich) Schepise, and Beth (Paul)
Feldman; stepmother of Craig and
Nancy; grandmother of Cara, Hil-
lary (Nate), Amanda, Maria (Kevin)
and Gina; Also survived by 7 great
grandchildren. Contributions in her
memory may be made to the Amer-
ican Kidney Fund www.kidneyfund.

org/give or the American Diabetes
Association www.diabetes.org
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
MORGENSTERN Earl, CPA July 2nd, 2022, of Haver-
ford, PA: husband of Esther Gush-
ner; Father of Rick Morgenstern
(Nancy), Linda Morgenstern (Vivian
Belmont), Donna O’Brien Gramigna
(William), Lisa Morgenstern (Noah
Solomon), Stacey Morgenstern,
Stephen Mitnick (Denise), David
Mitnick (Shelly), Lisa Mitnick (Seth
Barsky), Susan Mitnick (Ari Macht);
Grandfather of Ryan (Jeanna), Ava,
Sara, Elizabeth, Jacob, Silas, Abby,
Emily, Eliana, Liam, Maleia, Skyla,
Emily (Mike), Elizabeth, Ariel (Ian),
Jeremy, Michael, Becky, Jasper,
Gemma, and Pearle. Great Grand-
father of Mia and Ella. Predeceased
by son Joshua Morgenstern (Anas-
tasia). The family respectfully re-
quests contributions in his memory
to Manna, Philabundance, Feeding
America. JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS
www.levinefuneral.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
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