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For her husband's 50th birthday, Karen Weinstein made a collage displaying the politicians and leaders Jeffrey had met with in just a few short years as part of his famously passionate Israel advocacy.

"It was a testament that showed how many people he was able to reach out to and make a difference on behalf of Israel," said Karen Weinstein, describing how the collage grew larger and larger as she compiled the photographs.

That was two years ago, just before Jeffrey was diagnosed with a brain tumor. On Sept. 30, Jeffrey, president of the Edison Chapter of the pro-Israel advocacy organization NORPAC and a neuro-anesthesiologist at the JFK Medical Center in Edison for 20 years, succumbed to the tumor. He was 52.

Jeffrey Weinstein was born in Elizabeth, grew up in Cranford, and had lived in Edison for the past 22 years. He graduated from Wardlaw Country Day School in 1975, where he was valedictorian and senior class president. He then enrolled at Wesleyan University in Connecticut for three years, before being accepted into a special B.A.-M.D. program at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. After graduating from Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1983, he completed his residency at Columba Presbyterian Medical Center in 1987.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, Jeffrey Weinstein became involved in political action on behalf of Israel.

"After the attacks happened on U.S. soil, he realized that terrorism wasn't just over there in Israel," Karen Weinstein told The Jewish State. "He wasn't one to stand on the sidelines. He felt the need to help; he liked to fix things."

Harry Bernstein, a friend of Weinstein's and also a member of NORPAC, recalled the first time he met Jeffrey, after the doctor entered a meeting for Raise Our Voices for Israel, a benefit concert series.

"He literally walked into the meeting with his green scrubs on -- he came from across the street at the hospital, where he'd worked -- and I was like 'Who is this guy with the green scrubs?,'" Bernstein recalled. "He then bought 30 tickets to the concert, which he gave out to family and friends for Hanukkah gifts, and it really helped jumpstart the project."

In the span of just several years, Weinstein was able to organize more than 800 people from the tri-state area to bus down to Washington, D.C. and meet with members of Congress, including twice with then-President George W. Bush, in order to promote pro-Israel policies.

"It was just amazing, he got extremely motivated after 9/11 to support the state of Israel," Bernstein said.

Though characterized as a quiet man, he was passionate when championing Israel.

"He was a quiet guy, but all of a sudden when he would meet with congressmen and senators, all of a sudden he was not the shy and quiet guy that most people think of -- he was in his element," Karen said.

"He was passionate and sweet at the same time. He combined these two usually divergent qualities to be publicly passionate and personally sweet," said Rabbi Gerald Zelizer of Congregation Neve Shalom, where Jeffrey Weinstein was a member for many years.

In his Israel advocacy, Jeffrey was said to have a complex and thorough knowledge of the legislation that was going through Congress.

"I'd ask Jeff about a bill, and he'd explain it to the whole group," Bernstein said. "He would study them and understand them and figure out its impact on Israel."

"Whenever there was a bill concerning Israel, Jeff absolutely every time knew the bill, the name of the bill, and understood the bill in detail that could be beyond a lot of people's comprehension," Karen said.

Jeffrey and Karen met when they were in 7th grade at a b'nai mitzvah class. During ballroom dance lessons, they would always select one another as a partner.

"It was a crush that never went away," Karen said.

The two reconnected in college and were married in July 1979 and have raised two daughters, Rachel and Sarah.

"He was an amazing hands-on dad. He was always involved," Karen said.

The funeral was held Oct. 5 at Neve Shaom, and shiva will be held at the Weinstein residence from sundown Oct. 11 until Oct. 15.

"It's devastating for all of us who knew him and loved him as a friend and family," Bernstein said. "He will be greatly missed and we'll never forget him."