Bernice (Perlstein) Waldman

Bernice (Perlstein) Waldman, 87, wife of the late Bernard M. Waldman, of Governors Row, West Hartford, died Friday, January 6, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital. Born in NYC, she was the daughter of the late Ella and Max Perlstein. She graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn, NY, attended the New School, moving to Hartford in 1956. Mrs. Waldman was past President of the Hartford Chapter of Hadassah, Campaign Chairman and President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Women’s Division, a former life director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and a member of its executive committee, as well as Chairman of Women’s Division, State of Israel Bonds. Mrs. Waldman was the recipient of the Israel Bonds leadership award and the Hadassah Hand of Healing Award. Bernice and her late husband Bernard, dedicated decades to the betterment of Jewish life locally, nationally, around the world and especially in Israel. She traveled to Israel more than 65 times and chaired many missions to Israel, Eastern Europe, Central America, Cuba, and the Former Soviet Union. She served as the National Chairman and President of the Women’s Division of the United Jewish Appeal and was the first Women to serve as an officer on their Board of Trustees. She also served on the Board of the JDC (American Joint Distribution Committee) and as co-chair of its Central America Committee, and on the Board of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Bernice and Bernie were one of the original leaders of the Project Renewal movement, an international initiative dedicated to improving living conditions and life in Israel’s development towns and neighborhoods. Bernice served as chair of the Project Renewal committee in Hartford and for the State of Connecticut and was instrumental in initiating and developing “a beautiful relationship” with Afula, Israel that began in the late 1970’s and continues to this day. She is survived by her beloved children, Nancy and Robert Pearlman, Jaime and Mark Seltzer and Jamie and Keith Waldman, all of West Hartford; sisters-in-law Evelyn Perlstein and Ethel Waldman in Florida, and was the adored “Gram” to her grandchildren, Marisa and Scot Lerner of NYC, Lindsay Pearlman of Bal Harbour, FL, Amanda and Matthew Seltzer and Zoe, Emma and Benjamin Waldman, all of West Hartford. Bernice was the loving “GG” to her great granddaughter, Cali Lerner and a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews and a wonderful friend to many. She was predeceased by her beloved brother, Jerome Perlstein. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary of the Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford with Rabbi David J. Small and Rabbi Philip Lazowski officiating. Interment will follow in the Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery, Wethersfield. Shiva will be observed at her home, 22 Governors Row, West Hartford Sunday following the interment, and Monday through Wednesday evening, 1-4 pm and 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hadassah Hartford Chapter, c/o Faith Helene,43 Carlyle Rd., West Hartford 06117, or to the Waldman-Pearlman-Seltzer Family Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation, 333 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford 06117 or to the Bernice and Bernard Waldman Endowment Fund at the Emanuel Synagogue. Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, has charge of the arrangements. She was a role model for her family, friends and community and will be greatly missed. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Bernice, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm