Bernard Kops, 97, a Poet from London’s Jewish East End
Bernard Kops was a prominent British playwright in the latter half of the 20th century. He authored over 40 plays following his breakthrough with the “kitchen sink” drama “The Hamlet of Stepney Green” in 1958. Kops, born in 1926 to Dutch-Jewish parents, focused on London’s East End, the Jewish immigrant community.
Described by his publisher David Paul as the last of the celebrated Jewish writers emerging from the 1950s Jewish East End, alongside figures like Harold Pinter and Arnold Wesker, Kops’ work centered on the essence of family, which he believed to be the enduring and essential aspect of life.
Lord Jacob Rothschild, 87, Philanthropist Continuing a Family Legacy
Lord Jacob Rothschild, a renowned British financier and philanthropist at 87, carried forward his family’s legacy of philanthropy and support for Israel. As the chair of the Yad Hanadiv Foundation, he backed various educational, civil society, and environmental initiatives in Israel, including contributions to the National Library and the Supreme Court building in Jerusalem, as well as supporting opportunities for Israel’s Arab community.
A direct descendant of Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the founder of the esteemed European banking dynasty, Lord Jacob Rothschild commenced his career at the family bank and later co-founded multiple investment firms. Noteworthy for his patronage of the arts, he held key positions at The National Gallery and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis hailed Lord Jacob Rothschild as an extraordinary philanthropic leader known for his unparalleled generosity and humility.
Shelly Weiss, 77, a Trailblazing Mentor for Jewish Progressives
Shelly Weiss, a revered political and LGBT activist, passed away at the age of 77. Growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, she dedicated her life to activism. Weiss founded OUTMedia, an organization that arranged performances by LGBTQ artists at college campuses, recognizing the arts as a potent tool for societal change.
She also played a crucial role in mentoring individuals within Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, a progressive group based in Brooklyn. Remembered as a queer icon, Weiss emphasized the intersection of personal and political realms, leaving a lasting impact with her warm and embracing demeanor.
Ruth Fein, 96, a Pillar of the Boston Jewish Community
Ruth Fein, a trailblazer in the Boston Jewish community, passed away at the age of 96. Breaking barriers, she became the first woman to chair Boston’s Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Revered as a significant figure in Boston’s Jewish landscape, Fein played pivotal roles in establishing the organization’s literacy coalition and the New England Holocaust Memorial.
A founding director of the Jewish Women’s Archive and the first female president of the American Jewish Historical Society, she was honored with an annual prize in her name by the latter.
Shalom ‘Charlie’ Biton, 76, Advocate for Mizrahi Rights in Israel
Shalom “ Charlie” Biton was a prominent figure in Israeli activism, particularly advocating for Mizrahi Jewish rights. Known as the Israeli “Black Panther,” Biton and his fellow activists, inspired by the American group, drew attention to the plight of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa facing discrimination and poverty.
Their actions, including redistributing milk from affluent neighborhoods to impoverished Mizrahi areas, aimed to combat social injustice. Biton’s activism extended to his political career, serving in the Knesset for 15 years with the Hadash party. He also advocated for Palestinian-Israeli compromise, being among the first Israelis to engage with Yasser Arafat.
Benny Gantz, a former defense minister, lauded Biton as a symbol of justice for his relentless pursuit of equality. Biton passed away at the age of 76.