In Memory
March 28, 2008

AUSTER. Mrs. Frances Auster of Lakewood died March 12, 2008. She was 90.

A long-time Lakewood resident, Frances was a bright and social woman to whom family was paramount. She had a passion for learning and loved entertaining her many friends, traveling and shopping for antiques. She was predeceased by her husband, Murray, and her brother, Ben Sapir.

Frances is survived by her daughter, Simone of Boston; son, Evan of New York; daughter-in-law Tatiana; and grandson, Matthew. Interment at Mount Sinai Cemetery, Lakewood. Arrangements by Belkoff-Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Lakewood.

COHON. Mrs. Minnie Cohon died March 22, 2008, at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, New Brunswick. She was 89.

Born in Russia, Mrs. Cohon lived in Highland Park before moving to East Brunswick in 1950. She was a member of Congregation Beth Ohr, Old Bridge. She was also a member of the East Brunswick Senior Citizens and enjoyed playing bingo.

Mrs. Cohon is survived by her son, Lawrence of Louisiana; daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Steve Gottlieb of Edison, and Rita and Ronald Schlansky of Carlisle, Pa.; brothers, Harry Bubis of Montreal, and William Bubis of Syracuse, N.Y.; and grandchildren, Samuel and Barry Schlansky, Allison and Scott Gottlieb, and Amanda and Christopher Cohen. Interment at Washington Cemetery, South Brunswick. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapel, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 12 Roszel Road, Princeton, NJ 08540, or Regency Heritage Nursing Home, 380 DeMott Lane, Franklin, NJ 08873.

DURST. Mrs. Natalie Hacker Durst of Monroe died March 17, 2008, at home. She was 79.

Born in Brooklyn, Mrs. Durst lived in Randolph before moving to Monroe in 2000. Prior to retiring, she was executive assistant to the comptroller of the International Division of Newsweek Magazine in Manhattan. Very active in local charities, she was a philanthropist and contributed to many organizations. She was predeceased by her husband, Murray; a son, Scott John Durst; a daughter, Adrienne Durst; and a son-in-law, Steven Walker Rose.

Mrs. Durst is survived by her sister, Dorothy Dudley of Durango, Colo.; daughter-in-law, Cathy Durst of Staten Island; grandchildren, Jennifer, Nicholas and Samantha Durst; and nieces and nephews, Linda Dudley, Steven Dudley, Justice Jill Konviser-Levine and Estelle Konviser. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurses Association of Central New Jersey Hospice, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank, N.J. 07701 or the American Cancer Society, 2600 Route 1, North Brunswick, N.J. 08902.

FREIDMAN. Mr. Norman Freidman died March 22, 2008, at the Medical Center at Princeton. He was 82.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Freidman lived in Fort Lee and River Vale before moving to Monroe 20 years ago. He owned Bergenfield Liquor for 55 years before retiring. He also owned QuikPrint in Bergenfield from 1977 to 1987. He attended New York University. He was the founder of the Senior Social Club at the Greenbriar at Whittingham development in Monroe. He also was the founder and president of the Greenbriar at Whittingham Computer and Investments Club. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Freidman is survived by wife of 38 years, Arline; children, Janis Grossman of Teaneck, Lisa Freidman of Fort Lee, Lisa White of California, Robbie Brokken of Minnesota and Dean Friedman of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Shane Kirkpatrick, Bonnie Kasey, Mara Winston and Jesse Brokken; and great-grandchildren, Simon, Elijah, Jonah, Hailey and Caleb Kirkpatrick and Mikayla and Hunter Kasey. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Entombment at Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

HARRIS. Mrs. Florence M. Harris, a real estate professional for more than 55 years, died March 23, 2008, at her home in West Orange. She was 93.

Born and raised in Newark, Mrs. Harris was elected president of the Board of Realtors of Maplewood and the Oranges for 1972 (at that time, only the second woman to hold that office since the Boards founding in 1911), and was named Realtor of the Year in 1985. She was broker/owner of her agency for more than 35 years. She received the coveted Ben Gurion Award, given by the State of Israel Development Fund for outstanding service, was on the Speakers Bureau of the United Jewish Appeal, and served in numerous capacities with the United Jewish Federation of Metro West. She was a former trustee and involved member of Temple B’nai Abraham, Newark, and later in Livingston. She was also a member of the Theresa Grotta Service League, National Council of Jewish Women, Daughters of Israel Pleasant Valley Home, Ruth Okin Community Services, and a life member of Brandeis University National Women’s Committee and Hadassah of South Orange and Newark.

Mrs. Harris is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Robert Adler of South Orange; son and daughter-in-law, Neil I. and Kay of Burnsville, N.C.; and grandson, Jonathan Adler, a real estate agent in Highland Park, and his wife, Jessica, of Plainsboro. Arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge.

KARGER. Mrs. Rachelle Karger died March 13, 2008, at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy. She was 82.

Born in Vienna, Austria, in June of 1938 Mrs. Karger and her family were forced to leave Austria not long after the Nazis marched into Vienna. In her escape to freedom she was helped twice by non-Jews. She went first to Bratislava in Czechoslovakia and eventually to Prague. When the Nazis marched into Prague in early 1939 she and her family were forced to immigrate to France and eventually came to the United States. After arriving in the United States on the French ship Normandie, she and her family lived in Brooklyn. She attended high school in Brooklyn and eventually went to Brooklyn College. After meeting her first husband, Oscar Schneider, they both moved to Nashville, Tenn., graduating from Vanderbilt University. They had two sons and eventually settled in Fords. Mr. Schneider died at the age of 35, when the boys were 7 and 4. Mrs. Karger met her second husband, Henry, in 1958 and married him in 1959. He was a widower and brought a son into the new family. In 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Karger became founding members of Temple Emanu-el in Edison. In the late 1960s Mrs. Karger attended Rutgers University, got her teaching certificates, and a master’s degree in German Literature. She worked in different school systems throughout the 1960s-1980s. In 1980 she started working as an instructor of German, French and Spanish at Middlesex County College and worked there until the fall of 2006. She received the Teacher of the Year Award from Middlesex County College in the spring of 1995.

Mrs. Karger has also been an artist. Her work has been featured at shows throughout central New Jersey including at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit, the Barron Arts Center in Woodbridge, libraries in Clark, Edison, and Franklin, the Borders bookstore in East Brunswick, Menlo Park Mall, and the State Theater in New Brunswick. At Middlesex County College her work has been displayed at the Presidential Gallery. Over the years she has created hundreds of paintings in watercolor, oil, and charcoal, as well as etchings and sculptures. While most of her work has been landscapes and seascapes, she also has done many portraits of family and friends. Throughout her life she enriched the lives of thousands of people as a teacher, an artist, and as a friend. Her positive outlook on life has been an inspiration. She will be long remembered and greatly missed.

Mrs. Karger is survived by her husband, Henry; sons, Dan, Ron and Steve; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Flynn & Son Funeral Home, Fords. Donations may be made in her memory to the Lusgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Ave., Beth Page, NY 11714.

KOROSS. Mrs. Barbara S. Koross, 73, died on Tuesday, March 11, 2008, in Overlook Hospital, Summit. she was 73.

Born in Brooklyn, Mrs. Koross lived in Brooklyn and Rego Park, N.Y., Boston, Mass., Montreal, Canada, and Newark before moving to Union many years ago. She was a clerical worker for Garden Homes Management in Short Hills for more than 24 years. She received an associate’s degree in fashion design from Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, N.Y. She was a member of B’nai B’rith Women, Hadassah, Jewish Women International and the Union Township Historical Society.

Mrs. Koross is survived by her husband, Gerald; children, Richard H., Michelle A. and Laurence E.; brother, Steven Green; and grandchildren, Jodie, Robert and Aliza. Arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union.

LIEBERMAN. Mrs. Anita “Penny” Lieberman of Winding Ways in Jackson, died March 9, 2008, at Centra State Medical Center in Freehold. She was 70.

Born in Brooklyn, she moved to Manalapan in 1966 and then to Jackson in 1996. She was a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, and worked as a designer of children’s clothing and as an interior designer.

Mrs. Lieberman is survived by her husband of 50 years, Walter; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Michael Dauber; and two granddaughters. Entombment at Mount Sinai of Marlboro Cemetery. Arrangements by Belkoff-Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Lakewood. In her memory, trees may be planted in Israel.

MORRISON. Mr. Kenneth Morrison of Jackson, died Feb. 25, 2008, at home. He was 86.

Born in Paterson, Mr. Morrison lived in Metuchen for 35 years before moving to Jackson 16 years ago. He was a salesman for the Jersey City Tobacco Company, Jersey City, for 30 years, retiring in 1982. He was a proud Army Air Force veteran, serving as a sergeant with the 480th Anti-Aircraft Battalion overseas in World War II. He belonged to several clubs and organizations, the Jewish War Veterans, Disabled American War Veterans, several coin clubs, including the Middlesex County Coin Club, which he was the founder. His loving wife, Frances, died in 2007.

Mr. Morrison is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Jed Kadish of Hamilton Square, and Gail and Lynn Hunsicker of Raleigh, N.C.; grandchildren, Allisan and Mara Kadish, Elyse Johnson, and Jason Hunsicker; and great-grandchildren, Isabella and Ainsley Johnson. Interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. Arrangements by Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

RAND. Jacob Rand of Monroe, a longtime resident of Elberon, Long Branch, died Feb. 29, 2008. He was 86.

Born in Manhattan, Judge Rand lived in Long Branch from the age of four until his retirement in 1992. As a youth, he worked part-time in the Rand Kosher Meats family business, supplying the tables of Jewish families along the Jersey Shore. Studious, bright, and a talented violinist, he graduated from Long Branch High in 1938 and earned an undergraduate degree from New York University. He served his country with distinction by joining the Army and being stationed in North Africa as a radioman during World War II. Upon his return, he graduated from the prestigious Harvard School of Law, and then opened a private law practice in downtown Long Branch, which he maintained until his retirement. As an attorney, he was widely respected for his ethical standards and industriousness. During his distinguished career he held many prominent positions for the city of Long Branch, including attorney for the board of adjustment and the library, assistant city attorney, municipal prosecutor, acting city manager, the city’s representative for the Open Space park programs (wherein he secured funds for nine new park areas in the early 1960s), and finally, magistrate judge from 1970 to 1982. He was a lover of classical music, an avid reader and an astute collector of antiques and art, particularly from the Victorian Era. He was involved in charitable organizations, having been a lifetime member and past president of Congregation Brothers of Israel in Long Branch, commander of the local Jewish War Veterans and an active member of B’nai B’rith. His kindness, sense of humor, generosity of spirit, integrity and optimism will always be lovingly remembered in the hearts of his family and friends.

Judge Rand is survived by his wife of more than 46 years, Lillian Isaacs Riemer Rand; sons, Stephen Riemer and his wife, Laurie, of North Miami Beach, Fla., Keith Riemer Rand and his partner, John D’Amico, of West Hollywood, Calif., and Michael Rand and his wife, Alison, of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Paul, Brian, Lindsay and Alex; sister, Hannah Teitelbaum of West End, Long Branch; and many dear family members and friends. Arrangements by Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean.

RICKLIS. Barbara Ricklis of Monroe died March 16, 2008. She was 81.

Born in Jersey City, Mrs. Ricklis was raised there and in Belmar. She lived in Cranford for 31 years before moving to Concordia 24 years ago. She was a member of Temple Beth El in Cranford, and was especially remembered for her beautiful voice as she sang in the choir for all those years. She was also involved for many years in the Sisterhood and was a life member of Roselle-Cranford Hadassah. When she moved to Monroe she was a member of B’nai B’rith Women, Monroe Hadassah, and National Council of Jewish Women in Monroe, where she founded the bi-annual fundraising luncheon for Victims of Domestic Violence. She was also a member of the Concordia Chorale, as well as a ceramics instructor, known for her beautiful ceramic creations. For 25 years she was a co-owner with her husband, Henry, of Suburban Carpets, Millburn. Henry died in 1989.

Mrs. Ricklis is survived by her daughter, Rhonda (Ronnee) Rothschild and her fiancé, Lawrence Bershad, of Monroe; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Pearl of Elizabeth; grandchildren, Jeremy Rothschild and his wife, Brette, of Ashland, Mass., Barry Rothschild and his wife Nora, of Newton, Mass., Josh Ricklis and his wife, Brittany, Dani and his fiancée Tehila, and Aliza, Avigail, and Eliesheva, all of Elizabeth; and great-grandson, Jake Rothschild of Ashland. Arrangements by Bloomfield-Cooper Memorial Chapel, Manalapan. Memorial contributions can be made to the Monroe chapter of National Council of Jewish Women or The Henry & Barbara Ricklis Scholarship Committee for Holocaust Education, Monroe.

SAND. Mrs. Lucille (Albert) Sand of Westfield died March 12, 2008, at the New England Sinai Hospital and Rehab in Stoughton, Mass.

Born in the Bronx, Mrs. Sand lived in Fanwood before moving to Westfield in 1968. She was an elementary school teacher and reading specialist for many years. She received her B.A. degree from CCNY and her M.A. in reading from Kean College. She was a member of Temple Emanu-El of Westfield. Her husband, Louis Sand, died in 2001.

Mrs. Sand is survived by her son, Peter; daughters, Thea, Paula, Candice, Amy Sand and Sandi Singer; and five grandchildren. Interment at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park, Union. Arrangements by the Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union.

SHOMRON. Former Israeli armed forces chief Dan Shomron died Feb. 26, 2008, in a Tel Aviv hospital Feb. 26, 2008, after suffering a stroke. Israeli media gave his age as 70.

As commander of the Israel Defense Forces between 1987 and 1991, Gen. Shomron was responsible for containing the first Palestinian uprising. Dashing and outspoken, he shot to public fame after helping mastermind, while infantry chief, the 1976 rescue of hostages from Palestinian plane hijackers in Entebbe, Uganda. In a later posting he oversaw the dismantling of Israeli settlements in the Sinai under the 1978 peace accord with Egypt. After retiring from the military as a reserve lieutenant-general, Shomron worked in the state arms industry and made a brief bid to enter politics.

TOWBIN. Mr. Donald Towbin of Lakewood died March 11, 2008, at Virtua West Jersey Hospital, Marlton. He was 86.

Born and raised in Lakewood, Donald later lived in West Windsor, and for the last 20 years in Medford. He attended Lakewood High School, where he started their first golf team. He was a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., where he was the captain of their golf team as well. He was a member of Congregation Sons of Israel, of which his parents were charter members. He served in the Army during World War II (1943-1945) with the Chicago Medics Unit. He was the owner of many car dealerships in New Jersey, starting in Lakewood with the Kaiser-Frazer Auto, which later became Lakewood Auto and Lincoln Mercury, then the Larson Ford Agency, also in Lakewood, and most recently Towbin Chevrolet in Trenton, Towbin Chrysler, Jeep Dodge in Pemberton, and Towbin Spirit Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Swedesboro. He also served as chairman of the board for the 1st State Bank in Toms River for 10 years, and was chairman of the Paul Kimball Hospital Building Fund. He developed the Lakewood Industrial Park in which Towbin Avenue was named for him. His first wife of 40 years, Marion, died in 1985.

Mr. Towbin is survived by his dear wife, Anna; sons and daughter-in-law, Joel of Aspen, Colo., Daniel and Carolynn of Las Vegas, and Justin Simcox of Las Vegas; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Edward Baker of Hopewell; sister, Estelle Richmand of Toms River; grandchildren, Brandon, Alison, Josh, and Jesika; great-grandchildren, Maximus, Matea, Rocco, and Abraham; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Interment at Mount Sinai Cemetery, Lakewood. Arrangements by Belkoff-Goldstein Funeral Chapel of Lakewood.Donations in his memory may be made to the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, Keep Memory Alive Foundation, 9101 W. Sahara Ave., P.O. Box 105-177, Las Vegas, NV 89117.