Norma Silverman Hendel, 93, died peacefully in her Pacific Palisades home in the loving arms of her granddaughter, Rebecca, on March 3. She was born to the late Oscar and Anna Silverman in New London, Conn. on March 27, 1920.
Norma was married to the late Dr. Lawrence Hendel in 1940, and the family moved to California in 1956. Both Norma and Larry were early pioneers of the reconstructionist movement within Judaism. They were founding pillars of the now largest reconstructionist synagogue in the country, Kehillat Israel, in the Palisades.
Her son, Carl, and his wife, Happy; Carl’s two children, Aaron and Rebecca; and Rebecca’s two children, Adam and Sarah, survive her. Her oldest son Paul died in 2008, and Madelon, Paul’s widow, is also a surviving family member.
In addition, Norma is survived by her brother, Melvin Silverman, of Lyme, Conn., and many relatives in the Silverman/Eisenstein families.
Even in the last years and months of Norma’s life, friends and family would sit by her side engaged in deep conversations, absorbing her kindness, love and wisdom. In her last days, she was visited by many and passed surrounded by their love and light.
Norma will be remembered in a celebration of her life at Kehillat Israel, 16019 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, at 7 p.m. Monday, March 24.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kehillat Israel, the Hendel Family Association Scholarship Fund or the Dr. Isidore Hendel Scholarship Fund, c/o the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, 147 State St., P.O. 769, New London, CT 06320.
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