Obituary

David Hockney, one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, dies at 88

"Strong shadows meant a lot of sun," the painter recalled to BBC television in 2009. "So I thought, well, wherever that is, it's always sunny."

Artist David Hockney poses in front of his work during the "Do You Remember They Can't Cancel The Spring - David Hockney 25" Exhibition at Louis Vuitton Foundation on April 7, 2025 in Paris, France.
Cara Trager at the Western Wall in Jerusalem in January 2026.

Cara Trager, beloved Queens Jewish communal leader and lifetime journalist, dies at 71

Morocco-Israel (Illustrative)

Knesset speaker sends condolences to pro-Israel Moroccan publisher Ahmed Charai

Abraham Foxman, pictured in 2011.

Former ADL national director Abraham Foxman passes away aged 86


Zvi Zamir, Mossad director during Yom Kippur War, dies at 98

He is remembered as having warned of an attack before the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, but was ignored by military intelligence.

 Zvi Zamir, Mossad chief from 1968-1974, who died January 2, 2024, at age 98.

Rabbi Laurie Phillips, founder of a Manhattan ‘synagogue without walls,’ dies at 55

 Rabbi Laurie Phillips founded the New York-based “synagogue without walls” Beinenu.

Remembering Avraham Avi-Hai: a man of many paths

From working in journalism at the Jerusalem Post to working in politics, Avi-Hai never tired in his love of Israel or his love for the Jewish people.

Avraham Avi-hai at his home in Jerusalem’s Yemin Moshe neighborhood.

Herbert Gold, novelist who mined his own Jewish upbringing, dies at 99

Herbert Gold, a prolific, San Francisco-based novelist and poet known for his story “The Heart of an Artichoke,” died on Nov. 19 at age 99.

 Novelist Herbert Gold.

Shelley Akabas, Columbia U social work pioneer who transformed the world of work, dies at 92

Sheila (Shelley) Akabas, a professor of social work at Columbia University, pioneered research into how labor and management could expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

 Sheila (Shelley) Akabas, a retired professor of social work at Columbia University, pioneered research into how labor and management could expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges.

Mourning Ed Mlavsky – Israeli hi-tech’s catalyst for growth - opinion

There has been little recognition of the outsized role that he played in parlaying the cutting-edge technologies of Israeli companies into successful joint ventures with US firms for mutual growth.


Jenessa Schwartz, Bay Area day school teacher and cancer ‘thriver,’ dies at 41

In 2022, Schwartz won the Ruby Award from the San Francisco-based Jewish Learning Works for excellence in Jewish youth education and engagement.

 Students from the World ORT-affiliated Colegio Leon Pinelo in Lima, Peru, prepare for Rosh Hashana.

Arie Levanon, Israeli composer, dies at 91

One of his personal favorites was the song “Tiyul B’Shnaim” (“A Walk for Two”), performed by Ran & Nama, which he considered his greatest contribution to Israeli music. 

 ARIE LEVANON

Alice Shalvi - The secret of eternal youth

Prof. Alice Shalvi passed away on Monday at 96.

Alice Shalvi

Israeli professor, Jewish feminism educator Alice Shalvi dies at 96

She is survived by five of her six children,  21 grandchildren,  and 26 great-grandchildren, which is quite a legacy for someone who escaped Nazi Germany in time.

Alice Shalvi