Greta Beckerman
The stars in the sky shone brighter on Oct. 18, 2024, when Greta Beckerman passed away peacefully, beautifully and surrounded with the love of her three children by her side. She was 95 years old.
Born in New York City to Minnie and Henry Cohen on Jan. 17, 1929, Greta married the love of her life David on June 4, 1950, and they shared over 60 wonderful years nurturing a family and making each other’s dreams come true.
Greta spent her life caring for her family and sharing her talents as an actress, singer and dancer on many stages across the country. At the age of 17, Greta joined her sister Claire to sing in the United Nations chorus, learning and singing the national anthems of every country that was a member. Her choral director was the soon-to-be legendary movie composer Elmer Bernstein. Greta was soon to become legendary in her own right.
Greta performed in regional and community theater in such shows as “Guys and Dolls,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Funny Girl” and “Hello Dolly” to name a few. She famously played the role of Yente the Matchmaker in multiple productions of “Fiddler on the Roof,” including the Broadway touring company production. And, she danced the role of the Stepmother in the Fort Worth Ballet’s production of “Cinderella,” both in Fort Worth and on the International Tour throughout Japan.
Greta was also a committed volunteer and philanthropist, giving generously of her time and talents. In the arts community, she was a board member and vice president of Casa Manana Musicals and served on the board of directors for both the Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet and the Fort Worth Opera.
In addition to her artistic contributions, Greta served across a breadth of Jewish organizations. She was a life member and vice president of Jewish Women International; a life member of Hadassah and the National Council of Jewish Women; a life member and board member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Ahavath Sholom; a member of the Sisterhood of Beth El Congregation and a life member of Brandeis University’s National Women’s Committee. Greta also served on the executive board and as chair of the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Along with her husband David, Greta was honored with the B’nai B’rith International Distinguished Achievement Award.
Though her achievements were many, Greta considered her greatest accomplishment to be serving as the matriarch of her four-generation family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren LOVED their “Gigi!”
Greta will be remembered as a larger-than-life force of nature. Always giving. Always loving. And always getting the last laugh with her uniquely dramatic flair.
The family would like to thank their angel on earth, Patricia Ndugwa, for her 14 years of continuous loving care for Greta and support for the family.
Greta was preceded in death by her husband David Beckerman, her parents and her sisters Pearl Eisenstat, Muriel Palazzo, Estelle Cortes and Claire Adelman.
Greta is survived by her daughter, Iris Newman and son-in-law, Sidney Newman; son, Neil Beckerman and daughter-in-law, Wendy Beckerman; daughter, Heidi Kirby and son-in-law, Michael Kirby; grandchildren Michelle Beckerman Neeley (Matt), Jill Newman McNamara (Dan), Drew Beckerman (Emma), Matthew Kirby and Daniel Kirby; as well as her two great-grandchildren Emmy Neeley and Millie Beckerman, and many loving nephews and nieces.
Joseph Frey
Joseph ‘Joe’ Frey, loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, passed away in Westfield, Indiana, at the age of 83. Born in Mexico City, he grew up in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Joe graduated from Jamaica High School and from City College of New York with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering
While in college, Joe was set up on a blind date with Sandi Stine, who would become his bride on Jan. 27, 1963. They spent 57 years committed to each other, raising their two children and doting over their granddaughters, until Sandi passed away in 2020.
Joe was a proud Army veteran, serving as an instructor in the U.S. Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama. After finishing his Army enlistment, Joe and Sandi moved to Fort Worth. Joe felt honored to serve on the new building committee for Congregation Ahavath Sholom on Hulen Street. They were active leaders in Jewish Marriage Encounter. Joe shifted engineering fields; earned an MBA from Indiana University; taught in the business school; and finished his career with the IRS on classified accounts tying into his engineering knowledge base.
Joe was preceded in death by parents Arany (Lipner) and Mihaly Frey and his wife of 57 years, Sandra (Stine) Frey. He is survived by brother Bruce (Laurie) Frey; adoring children Melissa Frey and Scott and Lana (Crouse) Frey; granddaughters Emily and Anna Frey, who called him Poppy; many cousins; extended family; and friends.
Burial occurred Oct. 21 at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Cemetery. To watch the recording, visit https://tinyurl.com/ycxbe6fw. Please consider a donation to Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Research or Congregation Beth Shalom. Notes can be sent to Bruce and Laurie Frey, 7202 Van Hook Drive, Dallas, TX, 75248; Melissa/Scott & Lana Frey, 17361 Bigleaf Maple Blvd, Apt 1016, Westfield, IN, 46074.
Tanya B. Goldenberg
Tanya B. Goldenberg of Dallas passed away Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
She was born in Kiev, Ukraine, May 1, 1934, to her parents Olga (nee Kushner) and Nukhim Basin, and was their only child. Part of her youth fell during WWII, and the family temporarily relocated. After the war ended, they returned to Kiev and built a new life there.
Tanya was loved and the center of her parents’ life. She graduated with an accounting degree, which she made a career out of, including in the United States. Tanya met her husband Isay Goldenberg and in 1959 they married, staying together for 62 years until he passed away in 2021. They had two daughters: Marina Goldenberg and Nelya Kisin (Ilya). G-d gave Tanya and Isay a wonderful gift: three grandchildren (Aaron Kisin, Mannie Kisin, Ollie Kisin), who were the love of their grandparents’ lives, with mutual reciprocation.
In 1979, Tanya encouraged her family to immigrate to United States, where lots of challenges took place. Tanya took tireless care of her mom, whom she loved dearly. She helped to raise grandkids with applying her good morals and attitude; her multiple skills of taking care of the household were hard to match. She was loved by many and will be missed dearly. She will be mostly remembered for her big heart opened wide for family and friends and a meaningful smile. May her memory live forever in our hearts.
Services entrusted to Stephen B. Blend through Dallas Jewish Funerals.
Andra Litman
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Andra Silverberg Litman, 63, who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Andra fought a fierce 24-year battle with the rare neurological disease, neuromyelitis optica (NMO), while multiple other illnesses ravaged her body and severely impacted her ability to function.
Andra was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She had a creative soul with an eye for design – when she helped build her family’s home, she made sure to include an art room so her younger daughter Taylor could paint and draw on the walls. Andra was caring, inquisitive and always curious about what was going on in other people’s lives. She had a sweet tooth and was a fabulous baker herself, especially when it came to moist vanilla birthday cakes which sometimes had M&M’s on top.
Above all else, Andra considered her greatest achievements to have been her two daughters, Laken and Taylor. They were always her pride and joy. In many ways, because of her illness, she could only live the quality of life she wanted through her girls. Both Laken and Taylor are professionally accomplished in their fields, and they were always encouraged by their mother to follow their passion, do what they love, and be the best they could be. She was, to her last breath, their No. 1 fan. Laken is a sportswriter and author of the book, “Strong Like A Woman.” Taylor has a background in fashion and design, and is a talented wedding planner in Dallas.
Andra was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in Dallas. She attended Akiba Academy, The Greenhill School and graduated from W.T. White. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982 and her J.D. from SMU in 1985. Later, Andra worked for Southwest Airlines, Dresser Industries and for her father’s law and mediation practice until she retired to help raise her family.
Andra is survived by her parents, Rena and Bud Silverberg; her daughters and sons-in-law Laken Litman Prosperi (Alex) and Taylor Brook (Eli); her adored grandson Logan; her brother and sister-in-law Dr. Kaylen Silverberg (Carol); her brother-in-law Gary Eisenstat; and her beloved aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Andra was predeceased by her younger sister, Stefani Silverberg Eisenstat, who passed away after a battle with lung cancer in December 2020.
Andra’s family would like to acknowledge and offer heartfelt gratitude to some of the many who assisted her and her family throughout this difficult journey. Her caring physicians, especially Dr. Mark Fleschler and Dr. Michael Levy; supportive clergy members including Rabbis Ari Sunshine, Stefan Weinberg, Howard Wolk and Cantor Itzhak Zhrebker; the staff at the Verona for their loyal friendship these many years; special loving friends to Andra and her family including Lala Shrem, Mary Rhoades, Lindsay Feldman, Rosie Green and Cassondra Armstrong; the remarkable staffs in the ER and ICU at Medical City Dallas Hospital; as well as the warm and sensitive nurses at T. Boone Pickens Hospice Care, whose attention and tender loving care of Andra provided great solace.
Andra’s burial was held on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at Sparkman Hillcrest and was followed by a memorial service at Congregation Shearith Israel with a shiva minyan service that evening.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundations (the leading foundation funding NMO research), Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas, Congregation Shearith Israel or the charity of your choice.
