Obituaries

Chaim Kanievsky, haredi Orthodox rabbi known as ‘Prince of Torah,’ dies at 94

The son of a major rabbi with familial connections to numerous famed rabbinic dynasties, Kanievsky was long respected but rose to new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sam Massell, Jewish Atlanta mayor who shepherded in an era of Black-led politics, dies at 94

Atlanta’s first Jewish mayor empowered the Black politicians who would succeed him.

Holocaust survivor Inge Deutschkron, who hid in Berlin during WWII, dies at 99

She became a prominent voice for remembrance with the publication of her 1978 autobiography, “I Wore the Yellow Star.”

Simeon Maslin, influential Philadelphia rabbi who brought tradition back to Reform Jews, dies at 90

Kathryn Kates, actress who played the babka purveyor on ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 73

His Jewish wedding at a Nazi enclave was a ‘middle finger extended to Hitler.’ So was the rest of his life.

Ivan Reitman, ‘Ghostbusters’ director and son of Auschwitz survivor, dies at 75

Trude Feldman, Jewish reporter who spoke to presidents and prime ministers, dies at 97

Mel Mermelstein, survivor who beat Holocaust deniers in court, dies at 95

Todd Gitlin, Jewish radical turned critic of the left’s attacks on Israel, dies at 79

Sections

Get JTA in your inbox

Get JTA in your inbox

Get JTA in your inbox