A RESOLUTION OF
ABRAMSON SENIOR CARE
Community / deaths
DEATH NOTICES
Arnold Shawmut Hoffman, August , 0 1 of
Sarasota Florida, formerly Rydal, PA be-
loved husband of Bette nee ichner loving
father of Daniel Cinde Hoffman, James
Hoffman, Jeffrey Debra Hoffman and An-
drew Allison Hoffman cherished grandfath-
er of Henry, Edward, Sophie, Bailey, Jadon,
Levi, Colby, Cooper, Vin, Ari and the late Tre-
vor. Contributions in Arnold s memory may
be made to the Sarasota Orchestra or a char-
ity of the donor s choice.

JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinefuneral.com Stanley Merves, z”l
whose commitment to Jewish causes and philanthropy
benefited the seniors served by Abramson Senior Care,
and who served as an example to the entire community.

Alongside his beloved wife, Audrey, Stanley generously
gave to our Annual Fund, Gala and Capital Campaign.

Their dedication has helped to ensure that Abramson
Senior Care will be able to provide much needed care and
services for generations of seniors to come. Most recently,
their thoughtfulness helped us through the COVID crisis
with a gracious donation to our COVID Campaign, and a
dedication of the rehabilitation gym at Birnhak Transitional
Care at Lankenau Medical Center has helped bring first-rate
transitional care services to the Main Line.

Abramson Senior Care and our entire Jewish community
were truly fortunate to have been the beneficiary of
Stanley’s time, leadership, and enduring tzedakah.

To his wife, Audrey; children Jennifer (Brian) Robbins, Amy
(Mark) Friedman, and Elizabeth (Peter) Bein; grandchildren
Nicholas and Jason Robbins, Frederick and Isaac Breslow,
Emily (John) Capodilupo, Rebecca (Tim) Clark, Jacob and
Alexander Bein, and Eva (Elan) Aiken; and all who mourn
his passing, the Board of Trustees of Abramson Senior Care
offer this expression of profound sympathy. May they find
solace in the knowledge that his dedication, generosity
and good works will serve as a living tribute to him and will
benefit future generations.

Lorraine Drobny
Board Chair
DEATH NOTICES
BLACK Marcia Sikowit Black of Elkins Park on July
31, 0 1. Beloved wife of the late Jan F.

Black. Devoted mother of Steven, Morgan,
Neil, Sherri, Adam, Fiona and June. Loving
grandmother of Evan, Harrison, Sydney and
Samantha. Sister of Mark and Rhonda Sikow-
it , Linda and Larry Brandt, Mel and Debbie
Black, and Laura Sikowit . Daughter of the
late Nathan and Pearl Sikowit . Contributions
in her memory may be made to Old ork
Road Temple Beth Am.

www.JewishExponent.com 28
Carol A. Irvine
President and CEO
DEATH NOTICES
CHEIFET Louis Cheifet on August 3, 0 1. Beloved
husband of the late Jacqueline nee Altaker
Loving father of Craig Linda Chesterman
and Stuart Jennifer Dear brother of Carol
Tom Riley Ma er Devoted grandfather of
Michelle, Erin, Ryan, and Ethan. Contribu-
tions in his memory may be made to Old
ork Road Temple-Beth Am, 9 0 Old ork
Rd., Abington, PA 19001 or National Parkin-
son s Foundation, 00 SE 1st St., Ste. 800,
Miami, FL 33131.

OLDSTEINS ROSENBER S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
AUGUST 26, 2021 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
DEATH NOTICES
HOFFMAN The Board of Trustees of Abramson Senior Care record with
sorrow the passing of their esteemed colleague and friend
Stanley joined the board of trustees in 1981 and has been
a steadfast supporter of Abramson Senior Care’s mission
of providing high-quality care to seniors throughout the
Philadelphia region. He tirelessly gave of his time and
expertise, serving as Board Secretary from 1986 - 1989 and
on the Finance, Safety, Executive, Building for Life and
Audit Committees.

DEATH NOTICES
K RT
CALT NE
Shirley Caltune nee Kurnitsky on August 3,
0 1. From West Palm Beach, FL. Beloved
wife of the late Joseph Joe Caltune: Ador-
ing mother of Craig Caltune and the late
Michelle Shelly Bob Passehl Sister of
Arnold Kurnitsky and the late Anne abler
Daughter of the late Dora nee erberg and
Louis Kurnitsky. Shirley was born and raised
in Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia. She
graduated from Simon rat High School and
went on to have a career for over 30 years as
a Legal Secretary for Senior Partner Bob
Freedman at the law firm of Cohen Shapiro
Drinker Biddle in Center City Phila. The
highlight of her life was being a proud Mom-
Mom to Jason Passehl and Nicole Jeff Ven-
tura, as well as Bubbie to Macie, Avery and
Emma Ventura. Shirley was also blessed to
be the partner of Harry Kabo for 18 years. His
children, Michael Ellen Kabo and Bonni
Jerry Shinfeld, his grandchildren and great-
grandchildren were loved by Shirley. A once
in a lifetime woman whom words cannot ad-
equately describe. Shirley was an ama ing
friend to all who knew her, but especially to
Natalie Pearlman for over 0 years and her
cousin Jackie Baseman since birth. Shirley s
smile lit up every room and everybody loved
her, as she was magnetic, fun and classy.

She loved to share the oy in the good times
and always looked on the bright side of life.

Shirley will be remembered for her strength,
her sense of humor, her poems, her style and
her love for shopping. She had a love for
singing show-tunes, going to the theater,
playing Mah ong and Canasta, going for
lunch with the girls, spending time in At-
lantic City and Florida, and traveling all over
the world. She lived a magnificent life, one
that will be cherished forever. In honor of her
daughter Shelly, Contributions in Shirley s
memory may be made to the American Can-
cer Society or to a charity of the donor s
choice. OLDSTEINS ROSENBER S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
OLDBER Evelyn oldberg nee Daroff , age 9 , died
peacefully at home July , 0 1 in Spring-
field, VA. She resided in Cheltenham, North-
east Philadelphia and Logan before moving to
Virginia in 1999. Devoted wife of 53 years to
the late Jack E. oldberg. Cherished mother
of Michael Cheryl oldberg, Myrtle Beach,
SC and Ivy Mark Richards, Pacific rove,
CA. Loving grandmother of Julie Ale ander,
Eric oldberg and Lori Rosenblatt great-
grandmother of si . She also leaves behind
several nieces and nephews. Born in Straw-
berry Mansion, she was the daughter of the
late Ma and Ida Daroff and sister of the late
Faye Daroff oldberg, Morris Maish Daroff,
Albert Daroff, Nathan Daroff and Morton
Daroff. raveside services to be held
promptly at noon Tuesday, Aug. 1 , 0 1 at
Haym Salomon Memorial Park Section AA-
5A , Fra er, PA. Arrangements by Sagel
Bloomfield Dan ansky oldberg Funeral Care,
Inc., Rockville, MD. Contributions, if desired,
may be made to the charity of the donor s
choice. www.sagelbloomfield.com/obituary/Evelyn-
oldberg ISAACSON
Michael Ma well Isaacson, 80, style leader in
men s fashions, died at his home in Los
Angeles, California. Born in Philadelphia to
Albert and Hessie Isaacson on February ,
19 1 growing up in Wynnefield and passing
on July , 0 1. Father of Tanya and Andrea,
brother of the late Marlene arwin and grand-
father to Sofia and Cameron. Michael leaves a
loving legacy of nieces, nephews, cousins,
and friends around the world. Michael was a
generous friend, respected industry profes-
sional and devoted colleague. He was be-
loved by his employees for his kindness and
leadership. Michael was best known for seek-
ing out future trends in men s fashion and re-
creating them at an affordable level. He was
demanding that the style and look of every
garment represented the quality brands of
Tuliano and Sky High. Always the showman
and entertainer, he simply en oyed being with
people and created memorable moments for
all. JOSEPH LEVINE and SONS
www.levinfuneral.com KOLLER
Irwin Irv Koller, on August 5, 0 1. Loving
father of Sue Rick Palman, Dan Jessica
Koller, Steve Shanna umaer Koller and
Mark Natalie Koller Dear brother of Dr.

Harold Cookie Koller and Charlene Koller
Devoted grandfather of Stefanie Mase ,
Scott Brittany , abriel, achary, Isaac, Iris,
Sienna, Scarlett, and iada Adoring great-
grandfather of Madison, Ryan, and Jack. Also
survived by his beloved companion Cheryl
Dabrow and her children, Landon, and
Lauren Lichterman. Contributions in his
memory may be made to Ne t for Autism or
a charity of the donor s choice.

OLDSTEINS ROSENBER S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
Dr. Harold Ronald Kurt of Holland, PA
October 0, 19
August 1, 0 1
Beloved Husband of Joy nee Fingard for 5
years, Father of Andrew Julie , Daniel Lisa ,
June Bob , Fred Leslie , and loving and
special Pop-Pop to Regan, Connor, Evan,
Harrison, Olivia, Sydney, Everett, Emma, Sam
and Ben amin. Also survived by his sister
Harriet Marshall and brother Alan Andrea
and many loving nieces and nephews. Har-
old had an unlimited capacity to give of him-
self to everyone. His sincerity and genuine
concern for others made everyone who knew
him feel special. Whether you had ust met
him, or had known him since childhood, you
felt like he always had and always would be
there when needed. His endless interests and
passions led to meaningful connections and
friendships worldwide, and his quiet calm at
the center of that global community was in-
spiring and grounding for everyone that knew
and loved him. A lifelong educator, Harold
dedicated his life to the well-being of others.

He was a Philadelphia School District princip-
al, Superintendent of Schools in Clayton, NJ
and Pennsauken, NJ and founder of Synergy
Educational Consultants. Harold was in-
volved in many philanthropic and volunteer
endeavors. He was a founding member and
President of B nai B rith Educators nit,
former Association Director for NJ Odyssey
of the Mind, a board member of Maccabi
SA, Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter
School, Creative Odyssey nlimited CO ,
The Symphonic Mastersingers of Ft. Myers
and an avid supporter of the arts, especially
the ulf Coast Symphony Orchestra in Ft.

Myers, Florida. He was never without a book,
loved to travel, en oyed summers on the
beach in Ventnor and winters in Florida. He
cheered and cursed in equal measure while
watching his Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies
He lived life to the fullest. But most import-
ant to Harold was his family, by whom he will
be greatly missed. Contributions in his
memory may be made to ulf Coast Sym-
phony, www.gulfcoastsymphony.org, Sym-
phonic Mastersingers of Ft. Meyers,
www.mastersingersfm.com or to the Creat-
ive Opportunities nlimited CO c/o Odys-
sey of the Mind, 0 anttown Rd., Sewell
NJ 08080.

OLDSTEINS ROSENBER S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldstseinsfuneral.com
A Community Remembers
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A Community
Remembers Monthly archives of
Jewish Exponent Death Notices
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www.JewishExponent.com



d’var torah
Blessing and Curse:
Reward and Punishment
BY RABBI TSURAH AUGUST at the elements of a ritual:
or hearing the Shema, our some of every first fruit of the of living in relationship with
Parshat Ki Tavo
It creates a safe “container” affirmation of Divine Oneness, soil, which you harvest from the the Divine One, the source,
for expressing thoughts and can stir the heart, soothe the land that the LORD your God is Adonai — with all creation,
n a weak voice that feelings.

mind and bring peace.

giving you, put it in a basket and with gratitude. The ritual
touched my soul, the
It provides a common focus
When the Viddui is go to the place where the LORD creates a communal focus,
weeping woman asked: for the participants.

incorporated into a ritual that your God will choose to establish memory and intention. Much
“Why am I being punished,
It connects the participants the family can participate in, His name” (Devarim 26 1-2).

as the Viddui ritual does at the
rabbi? I have been a good via a shared experience.

it becomes the center of a
What a moment! When you final moments of harvest of
person. Why am I cursed?
It engages body/mind/spirit. shared experience of sharing enter the land that the LORD our lives.

What did I do?”
The Viddui is the Jewish love and memories, through your God is giving you as a
As we enter the Land of
I, a student chaplain, stood end-of-life ritual, done when stories, songs, touch tears, heritage ...

5782, may we all find the
at her bedside, unable to death is imminent.

even laughter.

We have finally entered ways to nourish us, guide us
think of what I could say to
In its most basic form, it is a
I have found this ritual is the land! We have settled it. and inspire us to live a life
comfort her. I didn’t know prayer that can be recited by the a potent response to a dying We have harvested the first of blessing, generosity and
her, but I could feel her pain dying person, a rabbi or another person’s experience, increasing crops from our land. We must gratitude. l
and wanted to help. But what person. It invokes the ancestors, the sense of blessing and do something to mark this
could I possibly do to help affirms one’s gratitude for diminishing the fear of moment. And what we are
Rabbi Tsurah August is the
ameliorate her torment and having lived their life, asks for punishment. And it is a powerful asked to do is very simple, and
in-house chaplain for Jewish
not increase her suffering?
and offers forgiveness, asks for way of saying goodbye for the very difficult. These crops were
Family and Children’s Service
Fast-forward 20-plus years. lovingkindness for family — and family, leaving positive images hard-won — the history of our
of Greater Philadelphia,
I have heard this plea many ends with a recitation of the emblazoned on their minds, to lives, from slavery, through
providing spiritual and
times, from patients struggling Shema.

remember and comfort them exodus, to this moment, are
emotional support for people
with pain and fear of dying and
Simply chanted, it has as they mourn the loss of their in these fruits. And now we
facing challenges of loss and
not able to comprehend from great resonance because of beloved, knowing they have are commanded to take these
illness. The Board of Rabbis of
where their suffering has come. the language, especially if in shown their love and respect.

precious fruits and offer them,
Greater Philadelphia is proud
Looking for reasons, blaming Hebrew; the cadence of the
So why do I bring this into give them away, we commit to
to provide diverse perspectives
themselves, the doctors, God. chant; the connection with Ki Tavo?
living a generous life, beyond
on Torah commentary for the
Entering a new land, fearful of a long line of ancestors —
“When you enter the land that our personal needs, to attend
Jewish Exponent. The opinions
what is coming and tired of the and the other elements of the LORD your God is giving you to the needs of others.

expressed in this column are the
pain of living.

gratitude, forgiveness and as a heritage, and you possess
Giving these fruits, ritualizes author’s own and do not reflect
And, just as many times, hopes for family. And, saying it and settle in it, you shall take in community, our commitment the view of the Board of Rabbis.

perhaps more often, I have
heard from patients — “Rabbi,
I am ready. I have had a good
life; I have been blessed.” They
are ready to leave the land of
the living, but not quite ready
to enter the new land.

If they are fortunate to
have family members at their
bedside, there is a poignant
moment when they need to
find a way to say goodbye.

Feeling cursed or blessed,
moments of great transition
need to be honored. It is a time
to call upon the rituals that
our tradition has bequeathed.

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Tavo? First, why a ritual? Let’s look
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