Aviva Hoffman

  Age 84, of East Lansing, MI, passed away May 17, 2013.  She was born March 6, 1929, in Tel Aviv, Israel, to Elazar and Frieda Troppe, who preceded her in death.  Aviva graduated from UC Berkley with a Bachelor of Arts and was a beloved and admired teacher in Israel and in the U.S.  She was a member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, the Congregation sisterhood, and Hadassah.  Aviva was totally and utterly devoted to her family and loved by her community, her husband and children.

Surviving are:  her husband, Rabbi Morton; daughters, Sharona (Andy Podgurski) Hoffman, Ronit Hoffman, Dalia Hoffman, and Yael (Andrew Skol) Hoffman; grandsons, Yoni Hoffman Skol and Ezra Hoffman Skol.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013, at Evergreen Cemetery in Lansing, with Rabbi Amy Bigman and Cantor Pamela Schiffer officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Shaarey Zedek, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, or Friends of the IDF, in memory of Aviva Hoffman.  Online condolences may be left for her family at www.estesleadley.com.

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18 Messages to “Aviva Hoffman

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Ritta Rosenberg
May 18, 2013 at 7:50 am

Dear Rabbi Hofffman and family,

Because I have been ‘out of the loop’ I was not aware that Aviva was ill again.

What a lovely woman she was with her beautiful face and disposition. I hope that the wonderful memories you have will sustain you through this difficult time.

Because of a bad cold I will not be able to attend the funeral.
Please offer my condolences to your children, their spouses and the grandbabies.

Ritta

Reply
Luiz, Solange, Ninive Costa
May 18, 2013 at 3:28 pm

Dear Rabbi Hoffman and family

My condolences for this great loss. My family and I pray that Aviva’s soul is bound for eternal life.

Because Aviva along your side have made such a positive impact in our lives, I couldn’t help but to put together one of my very few poems found below.

Certain that as difficult as this moment represents, the Shekhina is hovering near by ready to comforting those in sorrow for Aviva’s passing.

Please, accept our deepest sympathy,

Luiz, Solange, and Nínive

SHALOM AVIVA

There are
Many
People
I miss

There have been
Few
In this existence
Who quietly
And deeply
Touched
Me

How
Do I know
of quiet influences?

The simple
Humane
Answer
From this realm
Comes
Too late

Aviva was my daughter Nínive’s Bat Mitzvah teacher and roll model who she respected and greatly admired.

Her jovial demeanor
Her happy face
Her disposition to dance …
Are few of many
Sweet memories
Behind

I know
and feel
from my sobbing
She will
Be greatly
Missed

Shalom … le’hitra’ot … ???????

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Anonymous
May 18, 2013 at 10:03 pm

Dear Uncle Mort, Sharona, Andy, Ronit, Dalia, Yael, Andrew, Yoni and Ezra,

We were so saddened to hear of Aunt Aviva’s illness and passing. She was a wonderful woman. May you find comfort in the many good memories that you have of her and all the years that you shared. May her memory be for a blessing. Baruch Dayan HaEmet.

Love,
Miriam, Howard, Marcie, Rachel and Joel

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Christine Fenno
May 18, 2013 at 10:31 pm

I first met Yael’s mother at the University of Michigan in the early ’90s, and I’m so grateful she supported her daughter in attending school there or I wouldn’t have met one of my dearest friends. What beautiful grandsons, it makes me glad she met them and saw how special they both are. My husband and I send our heartfelt condolences to Yael, Andrew, Rabbi Hoffman and the entire family.

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Debbie Eidlitz
May 19, 2013 at 12:33 am

I am still numb with disbelief that my Aunt Aviva is no longer with us. As a child I remember my excitement every time she came to visit us in Rochester, N.Y. My sweet, lovely aunt who indulged us with her warmth and love and taught us Israeli dancing!
As an adult I came to appreciate the real person behind this fun aunt from my childhood. A warm, caring, giving person. Someone who never spoke a word of Loshon Hara. A dignified woman who devoted her life and energy to raising her daughters and who stood beside her husband as a real “Ezer KeNegdo”. And someone who saw the world around her with rose-colored glasses, always tolerant, patient, judging every person with benefit of the doubt.
I will deeply miss you, Aunt Aviva. May Hashem comfort your family and may you serve as an intercessor (Malitz Yosher)for your family and all of Klal Yisroel.

Love,
Debbie

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Judy Black
May 19, 2013 at 1:32 am

To my dear dear Uncle and cousins,
I know there is nothing that can be said or done to take away the pain of such a great and personal loss. Just want to remind you that there are many of us who have had the joy of having Aviva in our lives and our hearts who are grieving with you and hoping that knowledge will offer a little strength and support to help carry you through. Deeply, deeply sorry. Sending you LOVING thoughts, Judy

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Rabbi Bob Samuels
May 19, 2013 at 3:17 am

Sshalom Mort,
I remember Aviva well from the years you were rabbi of Or Hadash. She had grace and was an Eshet Hayel.
My condolences to you and to all of your family.
Your colleague, Bob

Reply
Denise and Steve Umans and family
May 19, 2013 at 7:01 am

Mort and family. We have truly fond memories of Aviva and
know how deeply she will be missed. We are thinking of all
of you.

Reply
Jan, Glenn, Ben and Noah White
May 19, 2013 at 10:09 am

We are so saddened to hear of Aviva’s passing. She was such a remarkable woman touching everyone of us so deeply. We loved her very much, and her kindness, love, generosity and strong spirit will sorely be missed. We will always hold her close in our hearts.
Our synagogue family was very blessed to have her knowledge, enthusiasm and spirit.
She was also a wonderful baker- on so many levels we have been blessed. Thank you to your family!

Reply
Harry Hoffman
May 19, 2013 at 2:35 pm

Dear Uncle Morty and family,

It was with great sadness that I read the news of Aunt Aviva’s illness and passing. May you find comfort in all of your memories of her. I will miss the chats that we had on line.

Love, Harry

Reply
Michael Tabak
May 19, 2013 at 4:10 pm

I am truly sorry for your loss.

Reply
Rachel Cane
May 21, 2013 at 12:55 pm

I am so saddened to hear of your loss. I am sorry I never had the chance to meet your mother, Yael, but I know she leaves behind a wonderful family.

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Terri Manda
May 27, 2013 at 7:20 pm

I was so sad to hear of Aunt Aviva’s passing. I have so many beautiful memories of her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Hoffmans.

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Andrea Blake
May 28, 2013 at 1:41 pm

Yael, I just read news of your mother’s passing. I am so sorry for you, Andrew, Yoni, Ezra, and your entire family. I know the loss you bear is great. I would have been there had I known. ,coincidentally many from the Tanenbaum Family (west coast) were in the area that weekend due to Hannah Perrin’s graduation from U of M’s Medical School. But, just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. May your wonderful memories of your beautiful mother comfort you forever. Love, Cousin Andrea from Detroit

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Erica Remer
May 28, 2013 at 9:28 pm

Sharona and family,
I tried reaching you to offer our condolences on behalf of the Temple Tifereth-Israel’s Gemilut Chasadim Caring Corps and to see if you wanted us to bring you a meal. I was unable to leave a voicemail message. We are very sorry for your loss. If you would like us to bring a meal, please call me at 216-464-4248 and I will make the arrangements. May your mother’s memory be for a blessing.

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Andrea Parkins
May 29, 2013 at 11:51 pm

Yael:

I have taken some time to think of what to say. Unfortunately, no words will be sufficient. However, please know that the Parkins Family sends their condolences. All the best to you and your family. May you be comforted during this difficult time.

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Lois Rosen
June 7, 2013 at 12:57 pm

I know Aviva through the WINS Breast Cancer Support Group at Sparrow Hospital. She would come to meetings occasionally and talk about her lengthy survivorship. She was a warm and lovely woman, who was an inspiration to all of us who were undergoing cancer treatment or were new survivors. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.

Reply
Shai Schellekes
August 19, 2013 at 8:21 am

Dear Mort. I would like to send you a mail. If that’s ok would you be so kind to let me know the address? mine is s-schell@zahav.net.il
Yours, Shai Schellekes

Reply

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