Leba Sylvia Berman died on February 12, 2007. She was born on November 11, 1916 to Miriam and Harry Fierst.
Leba grew up in New York with her two brothers, Herbert and Leonard. After graduating from Smith College, Leba married Alfred Berman of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and they settled in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. In 1953, Leba and Al moved west, driving across country with their four young children to Seattle. Leba then enrolled in the University of Washington, where she received her Master’s degree in Social Work, at the same time caring for her family, which had grown to five children.
Leba was deeply devoted to Judaism and Israel, a passion passed down to her through her parents and her grandfather, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Cohen, the chief rabbi of Montreal from the 1920s until his death in 1950. Her mother, Miriam, had been a National Board Member of Hadassah and her father, Harry, had been an officer in the Zionist Organization of America.
Leba’s adventurous spirit was kindled early in her life. In 1927, at the age of 10, she journeyed with her grandfather, parents, and siblings to Palestine for the Bar Mitzvah of her older brother. He was the first American to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah in eretz Israel.
During their trip the family met with the chief Rabbi of Palestine, Rav Abraham Issak Kook, at his home. Following an extended stay in Palestine the family went to Basel, Switzerland to attend the 15th Zionist Congress. These early experiences helped cement Leba’s lifetime love of Israel and Judaism.
Leba was active in the Jewish community throughout her life. As an active member of Hadassah, Leba served a term as president of the Mt. Scopus Chapter and was honored as “Woman of the Year” in 1994. She often performed readings of the poetry of Bialik at meetings, participated in and led study groups and book clubs, and always added an interesting and stimulating perspective to discussions. Leba was an outspoken activist for causes in which she believed, giving public support for the freeing of the Soviet Jewish refuseniks by demonstrating in Washington, D.C. at rallies for their release.
Leba derived great joy in facilitating adoptions for many families through Jewish Family Service of Greater Seattle. She loved matching children who needed loving homes with couples who needed children to love. Her devotion to children, both her own and the many whom she placed in adoptive homes, was legendary.
Leba’s seemingly limitless energy in all her endeavors remains an inspiration. Leba was the embodiment of her name, Ahuva in Hebrew, meaning “love.” As one of her grandsons noted, Leba’s name is an acronym for “Lovely, Energetic, Beautiful, Adventurous.”
Whether perched upon a donkey heading for Petra or surrounded by her family at the seder table Leba was described by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her as a woman brimming with life, love and laughter. Leba was vibrant, feisty, optimistic, fun and funny, a strong woman full of joy.
Leba was predeceased by her husband, Alfred Berman; brother Herbert Fierst; son Richard Berman; and great-grandson, Tytan Hayes. Leba is survived by her brother Leonard (Caroline) Fierst of Silver Spring, Md.; daughters Linda (John Pilkington) Levy of Berkeley, Calif., Susan Moon, Barbara (Jack) Hayes and Bonnie Levine, all of Seattle; grandchildren Jody and Shannon Moon of Seattle, David Levy of Kona, Hawaii, Oren Levy of Palo Alto, Calif., Dylan (Mandy) Hayes and Amy Hayes of Seattle; and great-grandchildren Ciara Levy of Kona, Hawaii and Isak Moon of Seattle.
Donations in Leba’s memory may be made to Hadassah, 1750 112th Ave. NE, Ste. C225, Bellevue, WA 98004, specifically to the Mother and Child Pavilion in Ein Kerem.