David Brand's Obituary
Brand, David, 86, son of Benjamin and Gertrude (Lefkowitz) Brand z”l, passed away on March 19, 2014. Devoted husband to his wife of 66 years, Marilyn Soshensky Brand. He is also survived by his 3 children and their families: Ilene Robeck and Murray Cohn – Tobin and Laurie Robeck, Corbin Robeck; Michele and Steve Medwin – Dan and Lydia Medwin (great grandchildren Zimra (3 ½) and Gavi Dov (1)), Rachel and Michael Witriol; Stephen Brand and Patricia Hallberg – Katherine and John Bongiovanni, Jessica, Elizabeth and Allison Woods; sister-in-law Barbara Sash (wife of Jerry Sash z”l); Nieces and Nephew Stacey and Jeffrey Jaskol, Terri Sash and David Hautzig, and Alec Sash and Buffy Scheck Sash, and many grand nieces and nephews.David was born on Nov. 25, 1927 in the Bronx, NY. He met his beloved wife Marilyn on the beach at Rockaway, NY. While he worked as the general manager in a printing company for 45 years, his love was for synagogue life. He was actively involved in Reform synagogues in the many places where he and Marilyn lived. He was president of Temple B’nai Israel in Elmont, NY. He also was a member of the choir and editor of the temple bulletin for 15 years. When they moved to Syosset, he helped in the start up of Temple Chaverim in Plainview, NY. When he moved down to Florida with Marilyn, they became members of Temple Shaarei Shalom and then later, Temple Beth Shira.David loved to teach Bible and Jewish classes and was loved by both the teens and adults whom he taught. An article in the Palm Beach Jewish News described him as a “Mensch.” “When Brand retired, he began to think of what he wanted to do with his free time and rekindled his desire for teaching Bible study.” When asked what his motivation was to volunteer to teach, he responded, “It makes me happy. I love what I am doing and find it an obligation to give back to the Jewish community. It’s given me so much over the years.”David is also fondly remembered for his sharp sense of humor.Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 21, at 1:45 p.m. at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, FL. Interment will be at Eternal Light, followed by a meal of condolence at Temple Shaarei Shalom in Boynton Beach. There will also be a memorial service on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Brentwood Senior Living Center in St Petersburg, NY.Donations in memory of David can be made to:Temple Shaarei Shalom – 9085 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33472Suncoast Hospice Foundation – www.thehospicefoundation.org, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760
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