Obituary: Oceanside JCC Benefactor Florence Friedberg

Florence Friedberg died suddenly after a period of declining health, on December 26, at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn.

She was born in New York City on May 4, 1924 to Betty and Samuel Schick and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1942. A devoted mother and wife, she also enjoyed painting and volunteering at various charities. 

Along with her husband, she was engaged in a variety of philanthropic projects both in Nassau County, and Boca Raton, FL including FAU’s Lifelong Learning Society for adult learners with most of its programs held in the Barry and Florence Friedberg Lifelong Learning Auditorium, an 500-seat auditorium donated by the generous support of the Friedberg’s and hundreds of LLS patrons.

Alongside her husband Barry, Florence donated the major part of the building that would become the Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC in Oceanside, and continued to support it up until this very day.  Her generosity and love has left a legacy for the Jewish Community of Oceanside and beyond that will live in perpetuity. 

She and her husband were also very active in Temple B’nai Israel in Elmont, NY. The funeral service, under the direction of Gutterman’s, was held on Monday, December 29, at Temple B’nai Israel, in Elmont, with services conducted by Rabbi Samuel Kehati. Burial was at Beth David Cemetery, in Elmont.

She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Barry Friedberg, her children Diane and Marc Houslanger, Richard Friedberg and Courtenay Dodge; her grandchildren Michelle Houslanger, Joseph Houslanger, Sarah and Max Krohn, Hannah and David Orowitz; a great-grandchild Genevieve Krohn, and her sister Beatrice Segal.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC in Oceanside, or Temple B’nai Israel of Elmont.