nothin Sally Kaplowitz Abramovitz, 66 | New Haven Independent

Sally Kaplowitz Abramovitz, 66

Learned and loving tributes were presented by family friend and distinguished religious leader Rabbi Eli Weinstock and by beloved son Edward Abramovitz at the recent funeral of Sally Kaplowitz Abramovitz of New Haven. The following is an excerpt from the eulogy presented by Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen of Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI).

Sally grew up in the loving home of her parents William and Edith Rifkin Kaplowitz in Bridgeport and Milford. She was a devoted daughter, and was close, caring and helpful to her parents. As a child, she helped her father in the grocery and hardware stores he ran, and as an adult she helped her mother get around, and in later years called her father almost every day. We recall how her father William, of blessed memory, when he visited at BEKI, expressed his pride in Sally and in the beautiful and successful family she created. In childhood, Sally also took care of Wimpy the Dog, which may have helped prepare her for motherhood.

Following her graduation from Western Connecticut State University with a degree in education, she worked as an insurance agent, first for large companies and then for local agencies. Perhaps her direct and honest manner, her intelligence and friendliness engendered the trust and respect in her clients that contributed to her success in that work.
 
Her sense of personal integrity was one of the wonderful and outstanding traits that helped her in her work and made her dear and lifelong friends — friends she collected from childhood, school, shul, the neighborhood, and as recently as the professionals she met in the care facilities she frequented in recent years. This, along with her intelligence, humor, relatively easy-going nature – her high expectations of her children and demand for decency in others notwithstanding – and her adaptability, won her a place in the hearts of so many of us.

In addition to her work in the insurance industry, Sally was a wonderful members and supporter of the community, having served as a treasurer of Young Israel of New Haven – which at the time was a development in the role of women, or at least a woman, in synagogue leadership. Sally worked with Jewish Family Service to provide Shabbat packages for the elderly, and managed numerous tasks for several synagogues and agencies over the years. These did not appear to be positions of glory, but rather the actual day-to-day mitzvot that must be accomplished in order for our community to function. Sally did what needed to be done. Whatever tasks she managed or carried out were done well.

Sally had the fortune of meeting and marrying New Haven native Alan Abramovitz. They have lived in the same residence all along, and together they created a warm and loving home for Edward and Anna. Their home was a center of life on the holidays for various family members and for friends. Through Sally’s interest, many seder plates, menorot and other Judaica items are on display in the home, as a visual expression of her identity and commitment.

Sally was an avid reader of everything from history to mystery. For some years the family enjoyed summers in Myrtle Beach. But there was nothing she liked more than being home or anywhere with her family, and there was no priority greater than the well-being of her children, and in particular their education at fine local schools such as Ezra Academy, and at yeshivot and colleges in Israel and America. Her concern was quality of education and experience more than prestige, although she did not mind when Ed and Anna attended well-know institutions. 

She was a regular participant in synagogue services, at least in the past 20 years or so that I have known her, and to the extent that she was able to be, and that was especially on the Festivals and Shabbatot. Occasionally she had a question about kashrut, but most often her contact was to inform us of a new or changed status of a product or vendor. She supported her husband in his attendance at public worship every Shabbat and Festival and on weekdays days as well, along with that of the children when they were still at home. In those days the children, too, were not merely regular attendees but were directing and leading the services. The outcome of the child-raising process was positive.

Sally was a wonderful person, and I feel blessed to have known her, and she is one of the reasons this is such a great Jewish community. I couldn’t sufficiently express my regard and affection for Sally if I spoke all day, as a few sentences or paragraphs are not sufficient to recall all of her good works and attributes nor to express appreciation for the blessings of her life.

Perhaps the most salient observation is that Sally was a very happy and proud mother of Anna and of Edward & Michelle, and was very satisfied with her marriage and life with Alan. This, despite the various and major medical issues she faced in recent years, along with all the ups-and-downs that most of us experience in life. Sally was understandably exuberant at Ed & Michelle’s wedding, but even better, she continued to be delighted by the reality of life they were creating together. More recently she found extraordinary joy and renewed hope and life through her grandchildren Jake and Gabi, who brought her so much delight, and was very proud of Anna’s work. She loved being alive and being part of her family and community.

Sally was blessed with children who love her and cared for her and gave her much joy and pride. And she was blessed with a friend, roommate, partner and husband who shared so many of life’s joys and accomplishments with her, and who cared for her with tremendous devotion and patience especially in these past few years. The loyal, caring, consistent, patient and enduring support and love that Alan showed to Sally creates a profound impression that can serve as a lesson and inspiration.

It is my hope that Sally’s grandchildren will emulate her finest qualities, and that her children and Alan will find some sense of peace in knowing that you did so much to add meaning, joy and love to her life through your devotion, and may you always remember the deep love that she felt and expressed toward you.

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