21 minute read
Field of Dreams
‘If you build it, they will come’
Israeli baseball field dedicated to terror victim Ezra Schwartz
BY DEBORAH FINEBLUM
(JNS) It was evident that organizers had no idea how many people felt they just had to be at a particular park in Ra’anana, in central Israel, on Dec. 3 to dedicate a baseball field in the name of Ezra Schwartz. With every seat taken and a couple of hundred people on the sidelines, remarkably none of them— not even the youngest baby—bore any sign of impatience during the entire 50-minute ceremony.
Ezra was the kind of guy who inspired that kind of devotion.
Six years have passed since the day when the car the 18-year-old was riding in was attacked by a terrorist who opened fire with a submachine gun on Nov. 19, 2015, killing Schwartz and two others. The car filled with students from Yeshivat Ashreinu in Beit Shemesh had been stopped in traffic at the Alon Shvut junction south of Jerusalem. The young men inside were on their way to beautify an area that serves as a memorial to three Israeli teenage boys who were kidnapped and killed the summer before.
But last Friday, as the dazzling autumn sun smiled down on those at the proceedings—from young baseball enthusiasts with their mitts and balls at the ready and olim who hailed from Ezra’s hometown of Sharon, Mass., to American teens in Israel for their gap year and citizens of Ra’anana checking out the newest addition to their town’s recreation scene—everyone was there to celebrate Ezra’s life and legacy. That included his parents, Ari and Ruth Schwartz, who have four more children: Mollie, Avi, Elon and Hillel.
The Ezra Schwartz Memorial Baseball Field, a project of the Israel Association for Baseball (IAB), is only the second regulation baseball diamond in the country. And it’s no coincidence that this is the sport chosen to represent this particular young man. As his dad says, “Ezra lived the game, and he loved the game.”
So much so that the day before his death, Ezra had sent off an email to the IAB asking to join the league; he’d been a star of the team at the Maimonides School in Brookline, Mass. Instead, a month later, when his parents flew in to meet with his rabbis and friends, the IAB suggested to them that a field be built and dedicated to their son’s memory.
It took six years for that vision to become real—years marked by bumps along the road, including a substantial pledge that failed to materialize.
The fundraising took time and perseverance with Ezra’s paternal grandparents, Mark and Heni Schwartz of New Haven, chipping away at a project that was eventually set at $500,000.
With Ezra’s Uncle Yoav Schwartz, who lives with his family in Ra’anana, managing the multi-year project of raising the money, it was an undertaking that would require the steadfast support of other partners such as Mel Levi of the IAB, as well as IAB board members Ruby Schechter and David Levy, both of Ra’anana. The Jewish National Fund filled the role of sending through donors’ contributions, and also on board was the Jewish fraternity AEPi, including the chapter at Rutgers University, which Ezra was scheduled to attend the following fall.
“So many people got behind this project because of Ezra’s endearing personality, his love of baseball and his love of life,” says Yoav Schwartz.
His wife, Ezra’s Aunt Pam Schwartz, puts it this way: “When you lose someone you love, it leaves a hole. For Yoav, this project has been a place to put all that love and all that missing into the hole left by Ezra.”
She notes that on Yom Hazikaron, when Israel mourns her fallen soldiers and victims of terror, Ezra doesn’t make the list since he wasn’t a citizen. “But we make sure we add his name to those announced here,” she says.
According to Peter Kurz of the IAB, the building of the baseball (and soccer) field corresponds with a surge in interest in the sport among new immigrants from the United States and native Israelis alike, with the latter beginning to make up the majority of enthusiasts, both players and fans.
“We’ve exploded from 500 players five years ago to 1,500 today,” says Kurz. “And this year, we’re going from one regulation diamond in Petach Tikvah to three—here in Ra’anana, and next month, one is opening in Beit Shemesh.”
Other signs of growth: Israel sent its first Olympic baseball team in 45 years to the recent games in Tokyo, where it came in fifth.
Among the many ways that Ezra is being memorialized is the annual Ezra Schwartz Baseball Tournament through his high school alma mater, as well as scholarships through Camp Yavneh in New Hampshire, where he was a longtime camper and later a beloved counselor.
Indeed, summer camp gave Ezra yet another excuse to share his passion for America’s favorite pastime. “I loved watching him play, and he loved that I loved watching him play,” says his dad. After his aunt cleaned out her nephew’s room in the yeshivah, she brought his mitt to his father during shiva—a mitt Ari Schwartz wore at the field dedication.
“Part of Ezra’s soul is in this glove, it was probably his most precious possession,” he said.
He further told those assembled: “I’m a better coach and certainly a better father because of him. I’m proud of how our other kids and my wife have dealt with our loss, proud of our community, and now I’m also proud that the kids of Israel who wanted to play but didn’t have a place will now be able to do so—and in Ezra’s name.”
There are also now a growing number of living memorials to Ezra—a group of little ones named after him, at least 20 of whom the Schwartzes know about, and whose exuberance would no doubt please their namesake.
With his wife Sarah, Rabbi Noah Cheses, who took the leadership of the family’s congregation, Young Israel of Sharon shortly after Ezra’s death, was among those who named a son Ezra. Nearly five years ago, Cheses spoke these words at their newborn’s brit milah:
“Ezra was at his core an ozer, a ‘helper.’ He was a person who sized up any situation in terms of the needs that others had and how he could help address those needs. We want our son to be, at his core, a helper— someone who can be counted upon to lend a hand, to pitch in without being asked to do so. Our goal in choosing this name is to make a statement about our hopes and dreams for our little guy.”
The rabbi then had a vision: “We hope that all these Ezras, when they get to Israel in 18 years and their friends ask, ‘Why is everyone from Boston named Ezra?’ they will make a trip to the place where Ezra helped out and will say to their friends: ‘This is why we are called Ezra. Here walked a young man who was a uniquely caring friend. We carry his name and his legacy.’ ”
That personal style impressed Noam Traum, who was a child growing up next door to the Schwartz family when Ezra was killed. “He was so much older than me, but he included me in every game,” says Noam, who is spending a gap year in Jerusalem and was on hand at the ceremony. “He never left us little kids out.”
Indeed, his Aunt Pam said when Ezra would drop by their Ra’anana home for a visit, and afterwards, she’d thank him for spending so much time with his little cousins, he’d always say: “But that’s why I came.”
Now the children of Ra’anana are included in that spirit. “This field is a testament to who Ezra was; it’s a bridge between our new olim and the other Israeli families who are learning what baseball is all about, and between Ezra and his family, and the families in Ra’anana,” Mayor Chaim Broyde told JNS. “When I met his family, I felt their pain, and I knew this field was the right thing to do. With all the work that went into it, this field and baseball are Ezra’s legacy, and they will always tie us together.”
“Baseball is so familiar to our kids, and having it here makes them feel very much at home,” says Justin Pozmanter, a coach of the local Cadets baseball team, who four years ago made aliyah with his family from outside Washington, D.C. “It’s wonderful to now have an official baseball diamond for our kids and for the Israeli kids, too. It really brings the two groups together.”
Ezra’s mother hopes that her son’s philosophy transmits to the new Israeli players.
“Some kids have tantrums on the field when the game doesn’t go their way,” says Ruth Schwartz. “But Ezra never did. He was always calm and confident. And not only do all his brothers and sister play the game because of him, but today, his legacy has expanded tremendously, right here on this field. We hope every child who plays baseball here will feel Ezra’s cool, calm support and his love of baseball.”
“There’s no better way to keep his spirit alive than this,” adds his father. “Yes, I wish we could have one more catch, but this field is Ezra’s gift to every kid who will ever play here. A little spark of him will enter everyone who sets foot in this place that bears his name.”
THE EZRA SCHWARTZ MEMORIAL BASEBALL FIELD IN RA’ANANA, ISRAEL, DEC. 3, 2021.
LITTLE EZRA SCHTAUBER (CENTER), ONE OF DOZENS OF KIDS NAMED FOR EZRA SCHWARTZ, HELD BY HIS MOTHER, ALIZA SCHTAUBER (NÉE MOR), WHO GREW UP IN SHARON, MASS.
FRIDAY, DEC. 17
GREENFIELD – Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener and the band Midwood (in-person and on Zoom), 5:30 – 7 p.m., 27 Pierce St., Registration: https:// us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZAlde6trzgtEtKSvGrYJRYql4nJV0x_1HxB
SUNDAY, DEC. 19
GREENFIELD – “Hebrew is Magic,” a special Hebrew class with Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener for ages 5-9, reviewing Hebrew letters and sounds; 9-10 a.m., Register: office@templeisraelgreenfield.org
LONGMEADOW– Springfield NCSY Youth Organization “Shop & Slide” – pick out and purchase gifts for children at Baystate Children’s Hospital, then play games with friends, 2-4 p.m., at Congregation B’nai Torah, 2 Eunice Drive, Contact: Andrea Olkin - SpringfieldNCSY@gmail.com or (413) 519-5328; https://www.facebook.com/ SpringfieldMaNCSY
NORTHAMPTON - LGA & Gan Keshet PJ Pals Solstice Lantern Walk, for families with young children, 3:30-4:30 p.m., at Abundance Farm, 253 Prospect St., Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ solstice-lantern-walk-for-families-withyoung-children-tickets-217914306557 $5 per family
SPRINGFIELD – Temple Beth El’s “Stories of Israel,” series with Rabbi Josh Weisberg via Zoom; documentary and discussion with Meital Sapir, who was raised in Florida by an Israeli father and American mother, and who immigrated to Israel and now serves as a commander in Israel’s Air Force; 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. To register: communications@ tbespringfield.org
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22
SPRINGFIELD – Springfield NCSY New Year’s Sledding in Forest Park, 1-3 p.m., Come sled with your friends at Mausoleum Hill, bring your sled, hot chocolate will be provided, Contact: Andrea Olkin - SpringfieldNCSY@gmail.com or (413) 519-5328; https://www.facebook.com/ SpringfieldMaNCSY
SATURDAY, DEC. 25
WORCESTER – YAD Chinese and Netflix Day, Time TBA, mhall@jfcm.org
TUESDAY, DEC. 28 WESTERN MASS./VIRTUAL –“Celebrating Jewish Music with Our Pioneer Valley Families and Friends,” participatory YouTube program with Mak’hela: you will be sent background music tracks, music and directions for recording; you can record multiple family members together; a collaboration between Mak’hela and Jewish Federation/PJ Library, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Register: bpmikesh@comcast.net; $15 per recording
SUNDAY, JAN. 2
WORCESTER – PJ Library & PJ Our Way Bagels and Books with Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, 10 a.m. – noon; mhall@jfcm.org
SATURDAY, JAN. 8
GREENFIELD – Etz Chayim! Adventures in Winter Tree Medicine, a three-week series of Shabbat adventures for ages 5-10 with herbalist Alyssa Bauer, 10-11 a.m., a program of Temple Israel, at Griswold GTD Conservation Area; TIG members: $36 for one child, $18 for each additional child; Non-members: $48 for one child, $24 for each additional child; ALSO: Jan. 15 & 22
SPRINGFIELD – “A Taste of Italy” through food and film at Temple Beth El; dinner of pizza, salad, fruit and Italian pastry, and film: “My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes,” 6-7:30 p.m., 979 Dickinson St., www.tbespringfield.org
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12 SPRINGFIELD/VIRTUAL – Literatour author event and Q&A with Naomi Ragen, author of The Observant Wife, 2-3 p.m., Registration: https://springfieldjcc.wufoo. com/forms/rwnnelk07w392y/
THURSDAY, JAN. 20
SPRINGFIELD – Temple Beth El Film: Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, 7-9 p.m., Zoom. Register: communications@ tbespringfield.org
WORCESTER - LEAD/YAD with World ORT on Zoom. 7:30 p.m., mhall@jfcm.org
SUNDAY, JAN. 23
SPRINGFIELD – Temple Beth El’s “Stories of Israel,” series with Rabbi Josh Weisberg via Zoom; meet Noa Har Zahav, born into a secular Israeli kibbutz family and her journey to deepen her connection with Judaism, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. To register: communications@tbespringfield.org
THURSDAY, FEB. 3 SPRINGFIELD/VIRTUAL – Literatour author event and Q&A with Andrew Feiler, author of A Better Life for Their Children, 7-8 p.m., Register: https://springfieldjcc. wufoo.com/forms/rtncm991b2631i/
WORCESTER/FLORIDA – The Annual Worcester Florida Party at the Delray Beach Golf Club; a chance to visit old friends from Worcester; 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Register: www.worcesterfloridaparty.myevent.com
SATURDAY, FEB. 5
SPRINGFIELD – “Carol’s Beit Café,” a Temple Beth El event showcasing the musical talents of its members, 7-8:30 p.m., at TBE, 979 Dickinson St., Reservations: TBE office: (413) 733-4149 or office@ tbespringfield.org. (snow date: March 26)
WORCESTER – Chaverim Night Out at the Jewish Film Festival, 7 p.m., for more information contact mhall@jfcm.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 12
SPRINGFIELD – “A Taste of the Lower East Side,” a Temple Beth El program sharing a taste of the Jewish world through food and film; 6-7:30 p.m.; Registration: communications@tbespringfield.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 13
LONGMEADOW – Purim Katan Movie Afternoon/Ice Cream Party and Emtza Food Drive Launch, 4-7 p.m., at B’nai Torah, 2 Eunice Drive, Contact Andrea Olkin: SpringfieldNCSY@gmail.com, or (413) 519-5328; Fee: $5 per person, $10 max/2+ siblings’ THURSDAY, FEB. 17
SPRINGFIELD – Temple Beth El Film: Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, 7-9 p.m., Zoom. Register: communications@ tbespringfield.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 20
NORTHAMPTON – LGA “Fiber Art for Passover: Learn to Wet Felt,” Zoom program from 10 – 11:30 a.m., Create spring blooms out of soft wool for the Passover table with fiber artist Natasha Lehrer Lewis; for 3-6-year-olds and their grownups; Registration fee of $12 includes one kit from Esther’s Place which will be available for pickup. Registration: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/fiber-art-forpassover-with-lander-grinspoon-academylearn-to-wet-felt-tickets
THURSDAY, FEB. 27
WORCESTER – LEAD/YAD program with Shaliach Aviv Jerbi, 2 p.m. LEAD/YAD with Shaliach Aviv Jerbi, February 27th, 2:00 pm
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
SPRINGFIELD – Literatour author event and Q&A with Jan Eliasberg, author of Hannah’s War, at Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St., 7-8 p.m., Register: https://springfieldjcc.wufoo.com/ forms/rtncm991b2631i/; FREE to JCC members; $10/general public
NORTHAMPTON - Students from Lander-Grinspoon Academy (LGA) spend the day before Thanksgiving every year reflecting on being thankful and learning about a social issue. This year, the focus was on refugees.
“In these challenging times, LGA is committed to cultivating citizens and leaders who have the clarity, confidence, and compassion to bring us closer to the world we seek, said Rabbi Debra Kolodny, executive director of LGA. “We are so pleased that for this year’s Mission Mitzvah Day our students were supporting refugees.”
LGA’s kindergarten and first grade classes learned about what it means to be a refugee, why someone would leave their home, and reflected on how having to leave their home would make them feel. They also made worry dolls to give to refugee children.
Grades 2, 3 and 4 focused on refugees entering the country from south of the border and made and sent them toiletry kits. Grades 5 and 6 have been learning about refugees for several years already. This year, the 5th grade had a successful clothing drive. The 6th grade fundraised more than $400 to supply a refugee family of eight with bathroom, kitchen, and bedding needs. They also cleaned the apartment and helped ready it for the family. Having already done all this, the 5th and 6th graders on the day before Thanksgiving, helped clean up at the Northampton Survival Center, and listened to a speaker from Jewish Family Services, a partner in setting up apartments for refugees.
“While LGA students spent Nov. 24 learning about the issue of refugees, this is not a onetime event,” said LGA Principal Deborah Bromberg Seltzer. “TIkkun Olam (improving the world) is a Jewish principle deeply imbedded in the fabric of LGA. Conversations about problems in the world and what we can do to help fix them take place regularly in all classes. Students routinely participate in a variety of opportunities where they make a tangible difference. In recent years, our students have spoken at climate marches, made food for houseless individuals, written letters to politicians, taught about the importance of solar power, baked for community helpers and more. COVID has made engaging with the community more difficult, and we are thrilled to be live and in person again with our community partners.”
LGA 4TH GRADERS MAKING LISTS OF TOILETRIES TO COLLECT AND SEND TO REFUGEES AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.
LGA 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS HELPED TO CLEAN UP AT THE NORTHAMPTON SURVIVAL CENTER. LGA 6TH GRADERS BUYING SUPPLIES FOR A LOCAL REFUGEE FAMILY.
BASKIN Alan E. Baskin, 84, of Longmeadow, died Nov. 17 at home. She was the husband of Judith R. Baskin. Born in Holyoke, he was the son of the late Isadore and Sophie Hirschowitz Baskin. He served his country as member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves stationed in France and Germany between 1959-1962. He was a member of the Masons and a Shriner. His family owned a used car and truck parts yard and he and his cousin later grew the business into the region’s premier Volvo Autocar Truck and parts dealership. In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by a son Peter Baskin (Susan Ferris); a daughter, Mollie (Daniel) Plotkin; a sister, Rita (Arnold) Barr; and eight grandchildren, Noelle (Matthew) Craig, Kelse, Britahny, Jacob (Ashlee), Max, Samuel, Sophie; great-grandchildren, Enzo, Lillian, and Vivienne and Madelyn; and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Selma Siegal. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield. ASCHER-ZIMMERMAN FUNERAL HOME
DAVIS Arline (Willar) Davis, of Belmont, formerly of Worcester, died Nov. 16. She was the daughter of Henry and Nellie Willar of Worcester. She was the widow of Leo Davis. She was a graduate of the University of Chicago, the Simmons Library School and was a librarian at Northeastern University for many years. She had been an artist, avid swimmer, skier, tennis player, and enjoyed sailing.She is survived by two sisters, her twin Phyllis Heilbronner and Kossiah Orloff; and several nieces and nephews, Jeff Willar (Sherri), Warren Heilbronner (Joan), and Robert Heilbronner (Sarah) and Pietor (Graham). She was predeceased by a brother, Abraham Willar; and a sister, Sarah Siff. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
FAY Joshua Fay, 54, of Cambridge, has died. Born in Fitchburg, he was the son of Dr. Stuart Fay and Beatrice (Medoff) Fay of Fitchburg. He graduated Boston University and attended Georgetown Law School. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Rachel Cortez and her husband, Luis, of Lexington, and Jethra Fay of Waltham; a brother Dr. Aaron Fay and his wife, Myriam Wright, of Lexington; a nephew, Jonah Fay; and four nieces, Gabriela and Maya Cortez and Noa and Sophie Fay. Memorial contributions may be made to Chabad of Greater Boston, 491 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
FLEISCHNER Robert Fleischner, 92, died Nov. 28. He was the husband of Dorothy Fleischner. Born in New Haven, Conn., he was the son of the late Jeanette (nee Isaacs) and Harry Fleischner. He attended American International College (AIC) in Springfield, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor’s degree in economics. While at AIC, Robert joined the Marines in a program for college graduates to become an officer. During the Korean Warm he was instrumental in defending a 500-yard swatch of territory separating the north and the south. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his valor on the field, and after the war, he received a battlefield promotion to captain. Following discharge, he attended Temple University and graduated in 1958 as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. He built a private practice in Springfield, lectured at Providence Hospital, and provided podiatric care at the Jewish Nursing Home for several decades. He was the first to hold the chair of the committee for the Kinsler Classic Golf Tournament (now known as the Frankel-Kinsler Classic Tournament), a fundraising effort for JGS Lifecare. Robert and his co-chair Earl Alpert were instrumental in building teams and raising funds to support the care of the elderly community. He served as president of the JCC from 1977 to 1979. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by two sons, Michael and Richard and his wife, Jennifer; and a grandson, Daniel. He was predeceased by a sister, Carol Saeks. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Beth El or Sons of Israel. ASCHER-ZIMMERMAN FUNERAL HOME
FREEDMAN Debra K. Freedman, 85, of Lantana, Fla., formerly of Longmeadow, died Nov. 10. She was predeceased by her husband, Ned Freedman. Born in Brooklyn to Tabby M. and Rose S. Koff, she was raised in Mount Vernon N.Y. and graduated from A.B. Davis High School. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude. She was a print, television and film actress, model and spokesperson, she was the voice and face of many products and companies throughout New England. She was also a producer, director and writer, with several award-winning documentaries under her belt. Active in charity work, she was the local host for the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon for 10 years. She founded Roundabout Theatre, a five-women Reader’s Theatre company who took their productions all across New England for a decade. She also owned a residential interior design practice, which led to her joining the commercial/contract design division of a regional company. She created the interiors for multiple hotels, corporate headquarters and condominium developments. She is survived by two daughters, Tabi Freedman, of West Dover, Vt., and Marissa Queen and her husband, Jeffrey, of Boca Raton Fla., and Lake George N.Y.; three grandsopns, Eric Freedman and his wife Lori of White Plains, NY and Clinton, CT and Jason and Jared Queen; and two great-gransons, Max and Harris Freedman; in-laws, Ruth Freedman, Joan Koff, Phyllis and Herb Cohen and their children and grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Zale Koff. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Beth El, 979 Dickinson Street, Springfield MA 01108. ASCHER-ZIMMERMAN FUNERAL HOMLE
GORDON Howard M. Gordon, 79, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Worcester, died Nov. 10. He was the husband of Janet (Plotkin) Gordon. Born in Worcester, he was the son of the late Leo Z. and Mary (Shulman) Gordon. He was a graduate of Classical High School and earned a BA from Clark University. He founded Astro Cleaning Systems, Inc. in the early 1970s, providing commercial cleaning services. He was a longtime member of the former Temple Emanuel and was a pastpresident and “Man of the Year” of the Temple Brotherhood. He was a long-time member of Probus and Holden Towers Tennis Club. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by three children, Jay Gordon (Bonnie) of Natick, Lisa Schneider of Dunedin, Fla., and Elana Gordon of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and two granddaughters, Mara Gordon of New York City and Hallie Gordon of Natick. He was predeceased by a brother, Bennett S. Gordon. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. KENNIS Goldie (Namath) Kennis, 96, died Nov. 23 at the Jewish Healthcare Center. She was the widow of William Kennis. Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of Israel and Rose (Skiest) Namath, and was a lifelong resident of the city. She graduated from Commerce High School and pursued a career as a medical secretary, working for Dr. Francis Dufault for 25 years, and later for Dr. Gagne for 12 years. She is survived by a son, Glenn Kennis and his wife, Susan, of Worcester; two grandchildren, Mathew Kennis and Michelle Bopp; and four greatgrandchildren, Jackson Kennis, Avery Kennis, Hunter Bopp and Travis Bopp. She was predeceased a daughter, Ellen Dvir Kennis; and a brother, Norman Namath. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609.
ROSE Melody A. (Beres) Rose, 64, of Holden, died Nov. 17. She was the widow of David Rose. Born and raised in Chicago, Ill, she was the daughter of of Emma Schieve Blozis and Matthew Beres. She was a graduate of Butler University. She ran her own interior design firm and was an active member of the Jewish community and Federation. She is survived by two children, Alex and Alana; and sonin-law, Jon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration at https://www.theaftd.org/
SILVERMAN Stephen Silverman, 81, of Longmeadow, died Nov. 11 at Baystate Medical Center. He was the husband of Sharlene Silverman. Born and raised in Dover, New Hampshire, he graduated from Bowdoin College and Boston College Law School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and practiced law in Springfield for more than 50 years, speaking at legal symposia and helping advance civil rights laws. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Aaron (Lucy) and Lisa (Michael); a grandson, Payton; a sister, Joyce Ben-Kiki; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws. Memorial contributions may be made to Baystate Health Foundation, Heart & Vascular Program. ASCHER-ZIMMERMAN FUNERAL HOME
