obituaries Rabbi Barton Leftin Wethersfield, Conn.—Rabbi Barton Leftin, former rabbi of Congregation Beth El, passed away. He is survived by his wife, Cathy; sons Avi (Maria) and Ben (Shill); grandson, Sid; and siblings Howard and Joan. Rabbi Lefitin graduated with a BA from Boston University, and an MA from Brown, with majors in Russian Literature and Ancient Slavic Languages. Before entering Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary, he worked in Great Neck, N.Y., teaching at a local college, as well as at the Hebrew High School and running its Youth House. He served pulpits in Beverly, Mass., Norfolk, Va., Waterbury, Conn. (where he earned a PsyD in Divinity in Counseling), and Sunrise, Fla. (where he also served as a prison chaplain). His lifelong love of Soviet Jewry was reflected in his two trips to Russia on missions of support. In addition, during his lifetime, he was associated with
three Camps Ramah (Ohai, Wisconsin and New England). A graveside funeral was held at Emanuel Cemetery in Wethersfield, Conn.
David Longman Livingston, N.J.—David Longman of Livingston, N.J. died at home on January 31, 2017. David, born Israel, was raised in Norfolk, Va. where he spent most of his life until moving to Florida and then, New Jersey later in life. He graduated from Maury High School while playing jazz professionally in his teen years. He also built and sailed small sail craft. He was a 1941 graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. in chemical engineering. He worked in the chemical industry after college and later entered business and operated grocery stores in the Norfolk area for many years. David began playing tennis before and after retirement and enjoyed many years on the tennis court. He played tennis five times a week until his late 80s. David, along with his wife, Mimi, were long-time members of Temple Israel in Norfolk. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and relatives in the Norfolk area. He is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, Miriam, and his three children Howard and wife Ellen of Livingston, N.J., Susan Saunders and husband, Marshall of Livingston, N.J. and Thomas, and wife Mona of Scarsdale, N.Y. His grandchildren who loved “Grandpa” are Haley, Adam, Ariel, Michael, Benjamin, Emily, Max, and Eli. Funeral services were conducted at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Funeral Home in Livingston, N.J. with interment at Beth El Cemetery in Paramus, N.J. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. One suggestion is the Southern Poverty Law Center, which was one of David’s favorite causes.
a Mr. Softee truck in New York City. After serving several years in the Navy, he returned to the Mr. Softee business in Norfolk, growing his fleet of ice cream trucks into what would become Truck Fleet Repair, the largest independent truck repair facility in the region. Beyond his reputation as an esteemed and savvy businessman, Charles was revered as a man who devoted time and energy to his family, to strengthening the Jewish community, generously donating to local charities, and finding new ways for “tikkun olam,” helping to heal the world. Within his family and close friends, he will be most remembered for his infectious smile, enormous heart, easygoing attitude, fierce loyalty, pride, and joy for his children and grandchildren, and a deep, abiding devotion to his adoring wife of 25 years. He is survived by his wife Nancy; his stepchildren Scott (Jae Lee) Millstein, Rachael (Gerry) Coakley, and Deborah (Josh) Kronenberg, and his grandchildren Todd, Curran, Carter, Ephram, Graham, and Eleanor; his sister Carole, his nephew David, his niece Karen and their families. Funeral services were held at Ohef Sholom Temple with Rabbi Israel Zoberman and Cantor Wally Schachet-Briskin officiating. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Norfolk Chapel. Donations to Sentara Heart Hospital, Sentara Foundation Hampton Roads, 6015 Poplar Hall Drive, Suite 308, Norfolk, VA 23502.
Ronald G. Miller Virginia Beach—Ronald G. Miller, father, died and left behind his partner of 17 years, David Fierman; three sons, Jay of Bridgeport, WVa., Scott of San Diego, Calif; and Dr. Andrew Miller of Virginia; 11 grandchildren, Austin, Jayne, Brent, Clarissa, Joseph, Jordan, Benjamin, Jalen, Samuel, Jacqueline, and John.
Charles Marks
Services were held at Ohef Sholom Temple. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Norfolk—Charles Leslie Marks, 71, beloved husband, parent, Zayde, and brother, passed away suddenly at home on February 1, 2017. Charles, a gifted businessman, got his first taste of success independently running
Susanne Clark Geshekter Smith San Diego, Calif.—Susanne Clark Geshekter Smith passed away on Monday, January 30, 2017.
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Susanne was born on January 3, 1946 and was a resident of San Diego, California at the time of her passing. She is survived by her sisters Arlene Rephan (Jack) and Brenda Stein (Alan) and her husband, Robert Smith. Services took place at Temple Emanu El in San Diego with Rabbi Devorah Marcus and Rabbi Martin Lawson officiating. Interment took place at El Camino Memorial Park.
Jules Sauer, Brazilian “Gemstone Hunter” RIO DE JANEIRO (JTA)—Jules Sauer, a refugee from Nazi Europe who became one of the world’s leading gemstone and jewelry authorities, has died. Sauer, who was nicknamed “Gemstone Hunter” after discovering Brazil’s first emerald mine in 1963, died Wednesday, Feb. 1 in that country. He was 95. After finding the mine, German and English experts refused to recognize the stones as emeralds until Sauer turned to the Gemological Institute of America for a final verdict. He was vindicated and earned the new moniker, according to the website Metropoles. “Gemstones are a one-time harvest,” he used to say. In 1966, his high-end company Amsterdam Sauer was the first South American jeweler to win the Diamonds International Award, the most prestigious recognition in international jewelry. The Amsterdam Sauer Museum, in Rio, exhibits the largest private collection of precious gems in Latin America. In 1939, the 18-year-old Frenchman fled the Nazis, first to Portugal and then to Brazil, where he would establish his firm. He opened his first store in 1956 beside the legendary Copacabana Palace hotel in Rio. “I went to school until the day Hitler invaded Belgium on May 10, 1940,” Sauer told the Person’s Museum project. “I lived at my uncle’s house in Anvers, but that day my uncle was in England and I was alone. I had two bikes; I got the best and I left. Goodbye Belgium. I went to Lisbon by bicycle.” Israel’s honorary consul, Osias Wurman, called Sauer “a pioneer in teaching gemstone faceting in Brazil.” “He educated hundreds of young