Obituaries

Donald J. Neiberg z”l of Newton MA passed away on January 28, 2022.  Beloved husband of the late Faye Neiberg (Stahl) z”l, devoted Father of Brian Neiberg and his wife Sharon Neiberg and Marcia Neiberg and her husband Tai Senior.  Proud Zaydie to Sam Senior, Josh Senior, Sarah Neiberg and Isla Neiberg.  Loving brother to Barbara Cole (Neiberg) and the late Peter Cole.  Don grew up in Watertown and moved to Newton with his bride Faye where they celebrated 50 years of marriage.  Don was a master carpenter with a unique talent for woodworking.  He was a devoted friend who was always there in a pinch, if the toilet was clogged, the wires were faulty, the roof leaking, all his friends knew that Don could fix it.  Don and Faye were devoted to each other, they loved to host friends and family, sit on the beach in Ogunquit, ME and most importantly watch their grandchildren grow.  Don passed away one year and four days after his lovely bride and we take comfort in knowing they are together once more.

Funeral services will be privately held graveside.

John A. Ladge-Age 77, of Palm Beach, FL, formerly of Wellesley, on January 28, 2022.Beloved husband for 54 years to Marilyn (Newman) Ladge. Devoted father of James Ladge and his wife Johanna, and Meredith Ladge. Cherished grandfather of Charlie, Jackson and Corey. Loving brother of Jane “Bunny” Gottfried. Dear brother-in-law of Ronda and Stephen Newman. Also survived by loving nephews. Private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Dr. David Reardon Research Fund at Dana Farber Cancer institute, 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445.Please include “In memory of John A. Ladge” in memo line.

Livshits, Yelena, of Brookline, MA, passed away on January 27, 2022. Devoted and loving mother of Dr. Marina Livshits and her husband Dr. Michael Hiam. Proud and cherished grandmother of Hannah, Eliana, and Daniel Hiam. Doting and caring older sister of Vladimir Livshits. A loving aunt to the late Lilia Livshits and a great aunt to Anna, Evgenia, and Yuri.  Born in 1933 in Moscow, Russia, to the late Ruvim and Esfir Livshits, Yelena has led an enormously eventful, fulfilled, and meaningful life, carrying a longtime family legacy of public service, social justice, and tikkum olam. Yelena spent most of her childhood and youth surviving extreme adversity- the physical and emotional trauma of the World War II, the post war deprivation, the Stalinist regime and the ever- growing government-sponsored antisemitism. Yet she blossomed into a most loving, compassionate and strong human being, completely void of bitterness, who became the epitome of joy and wonder for anyone who knew her. Yelena graduated from the Moscow State Pedagogical University in 1955 and went on to have a distinguished career as a speech and language pathologist working with children and adults with traumatic brain injury, developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, stuttering, and other conditions. In addition to working at public hospitals and clinics, Yelena developed a thriving private practice and pursued her passion for writing through creating and publishing wonderful children’s stories. At the height of her career and adult life, for the sake of her daughter and future grandchildren, Yelena made a decision to leave Russia and undertook a life-changing and a risky journey to the United States. A fiercely and yet quietly independent woman, called by many who knew her an ultimate feminist, Yelena had overcome the many challenges of resettlement and became a proud and patriotic citizen of this country. She provided expert child care, volunteered with severely disabled children, and taught Russian language for a number of years. Yelena was passionate about literature, film, theater, and music and she shared her knowledge and appreciation of the arts with those she loved and across the miles. In her new country, she was able to openly live as a Jewish woman, and she transferred her love for Israel, Jewish music and Jewish stories to her family. Having most of her extended family perish in the Holocaust, Yelena made her friends her family while she lived in Russia and upon her immigration. She passed her belief in the power of human connection onto her offspring and she exemplified loyalty and generosity of spirit.

Yelena felt that her crown achievement were her three grandchildren to whom she devoted herself tirelessly and lovingly. In her usual manner, when her health condition was on a severe decline, she persevered in a way that defied medical facts. Her talent, thirst for life, her sense of purpose, and her unending love for her family will forever live in all of them and their offspring. May her memory be a blessing for eternity.

Graveside service at Puritan Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Yelena’s memory may be made to Cerebral Palsy Foundation, by clicking here

Harvey D. Adelstein, 82, of Shrewsbury, MA, formerly of Brooklyn and Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, on January 27, 2022. Beloved husband for 51 years to Barbara (Jacoby) Adelstein. Caring father of Pamela Adelstein (Michael Weissmann) and Evan Adelstein (Lynn Cabral). Dear grandfather of Eliana, Shay, Leila, and Charles. Brother of Sybil Zuckerman, of blessed memory, and Brenda Austin. Eagle Scout. Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Knicks fan. Proud army veteran. Cherished elementary school teacher. Avid reader. History buff. World traveler. Loved a day at the beach, theater and movies, playing basketball, a satisfying nap, a good filet mignon, and Breyers ice cream. A private graveside service will be held in Shrewsbury, MA on February 1, 2022. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to Southern Poverty Law Center or Teach For America. Please contact Temple Emanuel in Newton, MA for visitation and shiva information.

Freema Shapiro- Age 106, of  Cambridge, MA, on January 26, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Arthur X. Shapiro. Dear mother of Susan Shapiro Magdanz, Ron Shapiro and the late Kenneth Shapiro. Dear grandmother of Alexander, Simon, Sasha, Otto, and Asa. Loving great-grandmother of Willem. Dear sister of the late Lucille Stein, Florence Feldman and Howard Winston. A private graveside service was held at Temple Israel Cemetery, Wakefield, on Friday, January 28, 2022.

For livestream link to view service Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 2:30 pm. Please click here

KLIGER, Isaac E. “Itzik” of Lexington, MA, and Aventura, FL, on January 25, 2022, at the age of 87. Beloved husband of Judith (Tuzman) of 62 years. Devoted father of Ronn (Elisabeth Wolfson) of Cambridge and Tamar Schneider (Craig) of Newton. Loving grandfather of Daniel and Naomi Kliger; Sarah and Benjamin Schneider. He also leaves extended family near and far as well as many long-time friends, particularly in Israel.

Born in Lodz, Poland, to Vital and Shlomo Kliger, the family immigrated during his infancy to Eretz Israel, settling in Tel Aviv and later in Haifa. He was very proud of being the youngest member of the Irgun; at the age of 13, he served as a messenger between posts in the battle for Jaffa. While serving in the Israel Defense Forces, Itzik earned degrees in electrical engineering from The Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) before he and Judy sailed to New York. He enrolled at Brooklyn Polytech and earned a PhD in electrical engineering in 1963. While still a student, he was recruited by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to work at their Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois.

Later employed at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. in Huntsville, AL, he regularly sought problems to solve at NASA’s Space Flight Center nearby. Itzik was constantly doing calculations in his head and on scraps of paper if not in the air, long after he retired from Raytheon’s Missile Systems Division in Massachusetts as Consulting Engineer. He relished teaching and tutoring graduate students. With much innovative thinking and coming up with novel solutions, he proudly displayed his many patents in his home office.

As a scholar of Torah and Talmud, Judaism was an intellectual exercise for Itzik. He was particularly adept at explaining the intricacies of the Hebrew calendar because of his deep knowledge of mathematics. He regularly taught adult classes at Temple Emunah and many other venues. He especially loved teaching his grandchildren whatever was at hand: history, math, kite building or rock skipping.

He enjoyed swimming at his Lexington neighborhood pool, then on Cape Cod and in Florida. Itzik and Judy cruised frequently and traveled extensively, regaling family with stories of their adventures.

The family wishes to thank the attentive, caring staff at Belmont Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Belmont, MA.

Due to the pandemic, funeral services are private.

Remembrances may be made to the American Technion Society at ats.org/donate.

Ziva Reuveny Paley died at home in her sleep in the early hours of January 17 after a six-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was a force of nature. A proud kibbutznik and officer in the Israeli army, Ziva moved to the US to complete her PhD in biochemistry at Michigan State University, barely able to speak English. A scientist and professor, she was passionate about politics, social justice, and making the world a better place.

At a Young Jewish Professionals meeting, she met Joseph “Jack” William Paley, whom she married in 1980. They decided to stay in the United States and build a life, family, and community in Boston. Grateful to those who welcomed her to this country, Ziva made it her mission to provide that same generosity to others and to welcome many, many strangers and friends into her home.

She leaves behind so many people who loved her beyond measure, including her husband, Jack; her son, Amit Reuveny Paley, and his husband, Jonathan David Naymark; her daughter, Shimrit Paley Markette, and her husband, Joshua Lee Markette; her grandchildren, Avi and Tova Markette; her siblings, Amir Reouveny, Hedva Melamud, and Arik Reuveni; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ziva was fierce and unrelenting in her love for her family, her friends, Judaism, and everyone who was lucky enough to be a part of her story. She radiated warmth and energy and love. We hope to carry her light and legacy forward and continue to make her proud.

Steven David Garr, 67, of Chestnut Hill, January 15, 2022. Dear son of the late Stuart L. Garr and Laura (Goldstein) Garr. Beloved husband of 42yrs of Phyllis (Schwartz) Garr. Devoted father of Alison and Denzil Kanarek, Lee and Lankika Garr. Dear grandfather of Jordyn Kanarek, Sydney Kanarek, and Layla Garr. Loving brother of Bruce Garr and Susan Garr.

Steve was an accomplished and innovative business executive who led with passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. Steve held the position of Vice President, Distribution Services for TJX companies,until his retirement in 2011. After his retirement Steve created and founded a successful wholesale business.

Graveside service at 10 am, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Agudath Israel Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA. Following the graveside service there will be a one day shiva from 11-2pm at Temple Beth Avodah, 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton, Massachusetts 02459. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Stewart “Bob” Kurland born April 11, 1938. Son of the late Morris and Sadie Kurland, brother of the late Leona Zelman. Loving husband of Fern (Berger, Weisman) for 33 years, and the late Helaine (Talberth). Devoted father of Mark (Leslie) Kurland and Andrea (Michael) Matta. Proud Papa of Alyssa, Heather, and Matthew Kurland, Lily and Lauren Matta. Also survived by nephew Kurt Zelman and niece Jackie Taksa. Donations made in his memory to Alzheimer’s https://www.alz.org/