NAOMI AVIVAH KATZ

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NAOMI AVIVAH KATZ It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Naomi Avivah Katz on May 19, 2004. She will be terribly missed by her husband of 46 years, Ben, her children, Roni (Reagan), David and Ilana (Tom) and her granddaughters, Talia and Hannah. She will also be lovingly remembered by her sister Youninah Susskind, her sisters-in-law, Malka (Jack) Shore and Bea Starkman and her many extended family members and special friends, Tsivi Meyers, David Pesochin and Elaine Smith - to name just a few. Avivah was born in Providence, RI and spent her formative years living in New York. In 1942, she and her family moved to Winnipeg, where her parents taught Yiddish. Over the next few years, they relocated to Saskatoon, then to Vancouver. Avivah and her mother made Aliyah to Kibbutz Kfar Blum in the 1950s, returning to New York in 1952. Avivah then returned to Winnipeg and reacquainted with Ben; they married in 1958. Avivahs musical training began at age 5. She received her piano teaching degrees from Saskatchewan University and the Toronto Conservatory of Music. Over the years, Avivah taught nursery, music, Yiddish and Hebrew at Ramah Hebrew School, the I.L. Peretz School and the amalgamated I.L. Peretz/Talmud Torah School. Avivah was very well known in the Winnipeg Jewish Community and "touched" thousands of students through her teaching. She was a devoted teacher of Yiddish - determined to keep Yiddish "thriving" through education and music. She was a woman who loved being busy, attending symphony and theatre and maintaining contact with her many connections (family and friends) all over Canada, the U.S., and Israel. Organizing and directing choirs was always a significant part of Avivahs life. She directed numerous school musicals, hosted concerts galore and thrived on these events. She also found time to be an accompanist, a music arranger and a translator. Avivah felt tremendous pride in the Winnipeg Yiddish Choir, the Quartet-Plus Singers and The Young Entertainers - an ensemble of Jewish children, who performed songs and poems in Yiddish. Avivah founded these three groups, was "energized" by rehearsals and performances, and made wonderful connections with many of the singers. Besides all her time spent "in music", Avivah always had energy for her family. "Bohbeh Avivah" was dearly loved by her granddaughters, Talia and Hannah. They cherished their visits to Winnipeg and especially, time spent in Bohbehs music room, exploring the many treasures and listening to Bohbeh play the piano. She was a caring and wonderful mom, who consistently stood by her children and supported them in every way. Avivah was a proud, strong and private woman who never complained about her health difficulties. Up until one week before her passing, Avivah was helping to organize Yiddish music concerts. She "went out with music", as her friends and choir members sang with her during her final days. Avivahs family would like to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers at CancerCare Manitoba (St. Boniface Hospital) and at the Riverview Health Centre (E3), who treated Avivah with the utmost respect, dignity and kindness during her final days. Avivahs family also expresses appreciation and gratitude to the singers who organized and sang a "Musical Tribute" to Avivah at the Funeral Service - Tsivi Meyers, David Pesochin, Arky Berkal, Jill Brandes, Phyllis Laveman, Jerome Phomin, Simone Scott-Simosko and Judy Steele. Avivah ("Mom", "Bohbeh") touched everyone in her life in significant and unique ways. Her passing leaves us with a very deep loss. She will remain forever in our hearts and our memories. Funeral services took place at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on May 21, 2004 with Rabbi Green officiating, followed by interment at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were David Pesochin, Sid Rabinovich, Joshua Phomin, Saul Hentelleff, Howard Raber and Marvin Kass. If you wish, contributions may be made in memory of Avivah, to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 25, 2004