obituaries
BERGER DORIS “Buddie” – 102, of Durham,
NC on April 9, 2023. Survived by
her daughter Mimi Krystel (Maury),
grandchildren Abby Clobridge (Matt)
and Noah Krystel.

Also survived
by her sister Selima Doull and five
nieces. Predeceased by her hus-
band Alexander Berger, son Raphael
Berger, sister Connie Jacobs and for-
mer husband Jacob Weinrach. Buddie
was born and raised in Philadelphia,
where she was an integral member
of the family that founded Raphael-
Sacks, now part of Goldsteins’
Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks. A retired
travel agent, she also lived in Florida
for many years. Known for her positive
attitude, sense of humor and interest
in learning something new every day,
Buddie loved life, adored her fami-
ly and appreciated every kindness
shown to her. Contributions in her
memory may be made to the National
Library Service for the Blind and Print
Disabled (NLS).

CHAVILLE SHIRLEY S. (nee Waloff), recently of
Haverford, PA, died on April 28, 2023.

Born on November 20, 1927, Shirley
grew up in the Strawberry Mansion
section of Philadelphia and graduated
from Simon Gratz High School. She
met her future husband, Harry, in 1945
and was married on October 11, 1947.

The couple enjoyed 42 years together
until Harry’s sudden passing in 1990.

Shirley and Harry lived in the Oxford
Circle area of Philadelphia until 1963
when the family moved to Huntingdon
Valley, PA primarily to ensure their
three daughters could have an ex-
cellent education in the highly rated
Abington Township School District.

From the mid-1970s until 1990, Shirley
and Harry successfully ran a family
business that allowed the family to en-
joy life in their Ventnor, NJ and Palm
Desert, CA properties. In addition, the
couple benefitted by their hard work,
enabling them to take excursions to
many U.S. states, European trips and
cruises. Shirley is lovingly survived by
her three daughters, Bonnie L., Beth
Chaville-Fuller (Rich), and Bobbi J.

(Greg Maunz); her three grandchil-
dren, Cynthia Gutierrez (Wagner),
Gregory Fuller (Natalie), and David
Fuller; and her four great-grand-
children, Eli, Charlotte, Mason and
Amelia. She was predeceased by her
husband, Harry, her brother Harry
Waloff, and her sister-in-law, Carol
(nee Wurtzman). The family requests
that donations in Shirley’s memory
be made to the Philadelphia Ronald
McDonald House or to a charity of the
donor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
HARRIS LINDA P. (nee Pinsk) on April 30,
2023. Beloved wife of the late Melvin;
loving mother of Mindy Harris, Esq.

and Diane Tarbell; sister of Allen
Pinsk; adored grandmother of Justin
Tarbell. Contributions in her memory
may be made to a charity of the do-
nor’s choice.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
KANT MILTON on May 1, 2023. Beloved hus-
band of the late Millicent (nee Glaser);
Loving father of Ronald Kant and Fern
Kant-Ghauri (Shehzad); Dear brother
of Seymor Kant.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
NACHUM KATZ
BETH SANDRA SEIFERT, born
August 21, 1949, lived a life of adven-
ture, great food, and an abundance
of love. She taught at Cheltenham
Elementary, where through compas-
sion and creativity, she lovingly guided
a generation of children. Sandy was a
loyal friend to many, a dedicated wife to
Gerry, world’s best mom to Jesse and
Joanna, a supportive sister to Mike,
Ray, and H, top aunt to many adored
nieces and nephews, and an incredi-
ble Noni to Serena, Isabel, Isaac, and
Jed. Sandy played a mean guitar,
swam thousands of laps, and aced
three holes-in-one. This world lost a
legend on 2/23/23, and all who knew
and loved her will feel this loss forev-
er. On 5/18/23, at 6PM, we will gather
to celebrate the story of love that was
her life at 150 Radnor Chester Road,
Wayne. To honor Sandy, please con-
sider donating to NorthernChildren.

networkforgood.com. KOTZEN
MARILYN F., 86, of Warminster, PA
died May 1, 2023 at Jefferson Abington
Hospital in Abington, PA. She was the
wife of the late Norman Kotzen; the
mother of Alan (Ronda) Kotzen and
Stephen Kotzen; the grandmother of
Hillary (Scott) Norris and Evan Kotzen;
the great grandmother of Noa Kylie
Norris and the sister of Gay (Stephen)
Fox and Arlene (Hank McDowell)
Kaufman. Marilyn used her creativity
to start her own jewelry business and
was a master at needlepoint. She en-
joyed playing mah jongg and canasta
with her friends and was always up for
game night with her family. Funeral
services and entombment were held
at Shalom Memorial Park.

PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS
www.plattmemorial.com YOCHEVED (nee Barashi); May 1,
2023 of Philadelphia, PA; devoted
daughter of Eliahu & Shulamit Barashi;
beloved wife of the late Elias Nachum;
cherished mother of Ayelet Nachum,
Sheeri Brand (Joshua) and Benjamin
Nachum (Allison Shore); grandmother
of Elias, Ethan, Ansel, Hannah and
Leah; dear sister of Judith Bar, Aria
Barashi and Moshe Barashi. In lieu of
flowers, contributions in Yocheved’s
memory may be made to Manna (man-
napa.org), American Cancer Society
(donate.cancer.org) or a charity of the
donor’s choice.

JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS
www.levinefuneral.com for almost two years. After being lib-
erated by the British in late 1945, Len
returned to Philadelphia where he met
his loving wife Barbara (Bobbi) at a
welcome home party. He was married
to his best friend, Bobbi, for 77 years,
making their home in Overbrook Park
and Wynnewood. Len was a lead-
er in the electronic parts distribution
business as a partner in Steinberg
Electronics, a family business he co-
owned in North Philadelphia for almost
50 years. He was committed to em-
ploying people from the neighborhood
and giving many a second chance on
life. Len and Bobbi were also active
at their synagogue, Beth T’Fillah in
Overbrook Park and at White Manor
Country Club. Leonard’s family contin-
ues to honor his legacy by spending
as much quality time as possible with
his wife Bobbi. Contributions may be
made in his memory to Travis Manion
Foundation (for Veterans) https://www.

travismanion.org/ or to Alzheimer
Association, https://www.alz.org/
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
TAUBER STEINBERG
LEONARD of Wynnewood, Pa., 98
years old, passed on April 3, 2023.

Devoted husband of 77 years to
Barbara Steinberg (nee Snyder).

Beloved father of Joseph Steinberg
(Gail) and Randi Zarett (Sammy).

Adoring grandfather of Michael
Steinberg (Rochelle) and Chad Zarett
(Kimberly). Loving great-grandfather
of Sloan, Dylan, Ryan, and Reagan.

Leonard’s (Len) life was defined by
his commitment to his country, his
faith, and his family. Len was born
December 17, 1924 in Strawberry
Mansion to Isadore and Cecilia
Steinberg. After graduating from the
original Northeast High School in
1942, Len volunteered for the Army Air
Corps after hearing about the Nazism
and Fascism in Europe, lying about
his age at the recruiting office in order
to enlist. Len advanced to Staff Sgt.,
performing hundreds of bombing mis-
sions over Germany as a radio opera-
tor and gunner on a B-17 Bomber. In
early 1944, his plane was shot down
in Germany where he was captured
as POW in a German Prison Camp
SHIRLEY R. nee Berger. May 3, 2023.

Wife of the late Dr. Stanley A., Mother
of Jeffrey Tauber, Jonathan (Diane)
Tauber and Joanne Tauber (late
Nicholas Iadicicco). Sister of the late
Allan Berger. Grandmother of Jennifer
Tauber (Sean Sonoda) and Michael
(Tanaya) Tauber. Great grandmother
of Lily and Zora. Contributions in her
memory may be made to the American
Associates of Ben- Gurion University.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
WEINSTEIN LINDA S. (nee Slesinger) April 15,
2023 of Wynnewood, PA; beloved wife
of Donald Weinstein, loving mother of
Steven (Pam) Weinstein and Michael
(Heather) Weinstein, devoted sister of
Robert Slesinger and adoring grand-
mother of Elly, Allison and Liam. The
family is planning a celebration of her
life at a later date. Contributions in
her memory may be made to Lower
Merion Scholarship Fund, Jewish
Federation of Greater Phila. or a char-
ity of the donor’s choice.

JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS
www.levinefuneral.com May Their Memory Be For a Blessing
The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent extends condolences to the
families of those who have passed.

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28 MAY 11, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT



d’var torah
A Revolution in Jewish History: The
Meaning of 1776 in Jewish History
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman
I Parshat Behar-Bechukotai
n just three years, the United States
will observe the 250th anniversary of
the American Revolution. In my view,
the American Revolution not only led to
the creation of the United States but was
also a “revolution” in Jewish history.

For the first time in Jewish history
since the destruction of Jerusalem by
the Romans in 70 C.E., Jews were fully
enfranchised as citizens and no longer
were either subjects of the realm or alien
residents. In many ways, the Liberty
Bell, whose inscription, “Proclaim liberty
throughout the land,” (Leviticus 25:10)
instantly became a symbol of the new
nation and its revolutionary character.

limited. Because of the teachings of the
Enlightenment, the distance between
the colonies and the homeland, associ-
ation of Jews with the white majority
and the willingness of American Jews to
stand up for their rights, the civic status
of Jews began to improve dramatically
by the middle of the 18th century.

One of the first signs of the changing
position of Jews in Colonial America
was the willingness of a group of Jewish
businessmen to sign a letter of protest
against the Non-Importation Resolutions
in 1765. Although they later split between
Tories and Whigs, the group made a
bold statement not only about British tax
policies but also about the place of Jews
in American society.

By 1774, an American Jew, Frances
Salvador of Charleston, South Carolina,
already held public office in that colony
newspapers urging the enfranchisement
of Jews, which was finally achieved with
the adoption the new Constitution. To
celebrate the Constitution’s ratification, a
federal parade was held in Philadelphia
in 1788 with a rabbi joining other clergy
at the front of the procession.

Finally, two years later in 1790,
President George Washington penned
his now-famous letter to the Jewish
community of Newport, Rhode Island,
declaring that the United States would
give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecu-
tion no assistance.” Finally, after centu-
ries of marginalization and persecution,
a Jewish community could embrace the
message inscribed on the Liberty Bell
that liberty had been proclaimed “for all
the inhabitants thereof.”
Grateful for their new status as citizens,
American Jews then commenced with
the work necessary to expand the
meaning of religious liberty in their new
country and boldly fight the enduring
scourge of antisemitism. ■
Lance J. Sussman is the rabbi emeri-
tus of Reform Congregation Keneseth
Israel in Elkins Park and immediate
past chair of the board of governors at
Gratz College. The Board of Rabbis of
Greater Philadelphia is proud to provide
diverse perspectives on Torah commen-
tary for the Jewish Exponent. The
opinions expressed in this column are
the author’s own and do not necessarily
reflect the view of the Board of Rabbis.

Grateful for their new status as citizens,
American Jews then commenced with the
work necessary to expand the meaning of
religious liberty.

Originally part of the Torah’s discus-
sion of the manumission of slaves at
the Jubilee in this week’s portion, the
verse was reimagined as a statement
about “liberty” from the perspective of
18th-century political philosophy. For
American Jews, it helped to codify their
new civil status as “equals under law” in
the new nation.

Prior to the Revolution, American
Jews lived under the law of each of
the 13 colonies and the imperial laws
of Great Britain. Jews were expelled
from England in 1290 and were only
readmitted in the 1650s. For the most
part, their rights were limited and they
could not vote or hold public office. It
took two centuries before a British Jew
was elected to Parliament.

For Jews, the legal situation in France,
Germany and other places was also
and, two years later, became both the
first Jew to hold elected office in the
United States and was the first Jew to
die in combat in defense of the new
nation. During the war, as many as two
dozen Jews served as officers with
George Washington, including several
from Philadelphia. It was unprecedented
for Jews to be found in such high military
circles anywhere else in the world.

On the political front, American
Jews were also active in securing
their civil rights. Under the Articles of
Confederation, the states had the right
to determine who was eligible to hold
public office. Most of the states, includ-
ing Pennsylvania, required elected
officials to be Christian. Beginning in
1783, a committee at Philadelphia’s
Mikveh Israel studied all 13 state consti-
tutions and then wrote letters to various
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 29