Nachman Berkowitz's Obituary
Rev. Nachman Berkowitz was born in Poland and in his youth became a rabbinical student. In 1941, he was arrested by the Russian police and taken to a concentration camp in Siberia. When he was freed, he spent several years in Kazakhstan. In 1946, he returned to Poland and then immigrated to the United States in 1947. After a brief stay in New York, he settled in Toledo, Ohio and was employed by Congregation B’nai Israel. During his 36 years there, he served as Assistant Cantor, Torah reader, scribe, and b’nai mitzvah teacher. After retiring in 1984, he moved to Tucson, Arizona. He became the Torah reader at Congregation Anshei Israel and continued his teaching of students for the next 25 years. As a member of the Holocaust Survivors group, he participated in many observances and also served as a classroom speaker. His memoirs were published in a book called, “The Diary of a Holocaust Survivor.” He is survived by his wife Betty, and children Chaya (Harvey) and Morris (Ellen). He was predeceased in death by his youngest son, Gary (Lois), in 2011. He is also survived by grandchildren Dan, Doree, Aaron, Jennifer, Megan, and Laura, and seven great-grandchildren. During his lifetime, he taught over 2000 students. Services will be held 12:30 p.m. Sunday, September 7, 2014 at Congregation Anshei Israel with Rabbi Robert Eisen and Cantor Avi Alpert officiating. Interment will follow in the Congregation Anshei Israel section of EVERGREEN CEMETERY. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Anshei Israel, Congregation Bet Shalom, or the Holocaust Education fund at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.
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