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Hadassah E. Blocker

Hadassah Blocker Obituary

BLOCKER, Hadassah E. (Waldman) Of Newton, on Thursday, October 23, 2008. Beloved wife of the late Benjamin Blocker. Devoted mother of David Blocker & his wife Linda (Blum) of Stoughton and Richard Blocker & his wife Ellen (Bloom) of Wayland. Cherished grandmother of Michael Edward Blocker, Deborah Susan (Blocker) Merwitz, Jeffrey Stephen Blocker, Zachary Tavis Ruben Blocker, Daniel Seth Blocker and Elizabeth Blocker. Dear great grandmother of Caeli Blocker, Ally Merwitz, Brigid Blocker, Brooke Merwitz, Mia Blocker, Carly Merwitz and Adam Blocker. Sister of Lillian Garber of Lexington and the late Miriam (Waldman) Katzman and Saul Waldman. Services at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton on Sunday, October 26 at 12 Noon. Interment at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon. Memorial Observance at the home of Richard and Ellen Blocker Sunday through Wednesday from 2-5 & 7-9 PM, Thursday at the home of David & Linda Blocker 2-5 & 7-9 PM and on Friday at Hadassah's late residence at Cabot Park Village, 280 Newtonville Ave., Apt. #518, Newton from 12-3 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., Newton, MA 02459 or The Hadassah & Ben Blocker Fund, c/o Cohen Camps, 30 Main Street, Ashland, MA 01721. Levine Chapels, Brookline 617-2778300

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Published by Boston Globe from Oct. 24 to Oct. 25, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Hadassah Blocker

15 Entries

Jo-Anne Jaymes Turner

June 3, 2020

I have been thinking of Hadassah a lot recently. She taught me to think. She helped me to form my life philosophy. I was a camper and then a CA and JC at Camp Pembroke from 1957 - 1968. 1960's. Everything I know about being a Jew, I learned from Hadassah. And much of what I have learned about being a compassionate human began with Hadassah. Her memory for me and for so many isa blessing.

Richard Blocker

November 4, 2008

To all who have left notes in this space, David and I greatly appreciate the comments and anecdotes. We miss our Mom dearly and these kind words help the healing process.

Ricky

Marvin Sezak

November 4, 2008

Although I had not seen or spoken with her in more than 50 years, I have the kindest memories of Mrs. Blocker and am both saddened and warmed by the wonderful obituary in today's Boston Globe. In the summer of 1955, after graduating from Boston Latin School and before entering my freshman year at Dartmouth College, I was one of Hadassah's "kitchen boys" at Camp Pembroke. When I became violently ill late one night at the camp, Mrs. Blocker went out of her way to have an ambulance rush me all the way to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and arranged to have the finest surgeon waiting for me. Without her intervention, I would not be the proud father of two sons and an expectant grandfather. My deepest condolences to Hadassah's family and friends.

Phyllis (Ehrlich) Vandermolen

November 1, 2008

Hadassah was a magnificent woman. I didn't know that when I was a child, I was greatly intimidated by her then. Later I realized that she had a powerful but compassionate presence.
Hadassah had a huge impact on my life. She and Ben introduced my parents to each other, so if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here. Also, when I was adult she assisted me in a significant way.
I was married with 3 daughters, living in Tenneswsee. Judaism was important to me, but as my husband wasn't Jewish it didn't work for us as a family to be members of a synagogue. As my oldest daughter approached teenagehood, I was starting to feel anxious about how I was going to give her a Bat Mitzvah. Then it occurred to me to contact Hadassah.
Hadassah agreed to assist. She sent me a package with everything we needed to do a "home grown" Bat Mitzvah - copiesw of my daughter's Torah and Haftorah portions for the date we had chosen, the blessings, instructions on reading the musical notations, and a tape of her singing everything. With this as our core, we created our own ceremony, invited family and friends, and had an absolutely marvelous Bat Mitzvah at home.
After that, Hadassah did the same thing for my other daughters when they reached Bat Mitzvah age. Even though none of these Bat Mitzvahs were "legal," as we didn't have a rabbi or a Torah scroll, many people told me they were the most fun, touching and meangful Bat Mitzvahs they had ever attended.
It meant so much to me that Hadassah supported me in the way she did - not only with her time, not only with her expertise, but also with her acceptance. Because she accepted me doing judaism in a nonstandard way, she made it possible for us to create something that was beautiful and precious. I treasure those memories and am extremely grateful to Hadassah. She made a difference in my life.

Joyce Gorsky

October 30, 2008

David (and all) I was blessed to work in the building at CP that was named for your mom, and equally blessed to have had a friend like you when I lived in Sharon. I am saddened to hear of your mother's passing. May her memory be a blessing.

Larry Nelson

October 29, 2008

I am deeply sadddened to hear of the death of Hadassah Blocker who, during her long life, dedicated herself to the perpetuation of Judaism through her work with the Eli & Bessie Cohen Foundation Camps, through the many students she taught and her davening and leining Torah during Shabbat and Festival services. My brother served with her as a music counselor at Camp Pembroke when she was Camp Director. I was privilidged to perform with my band several times at her last residence at Cabot Park Village and she always came up to us and thanked us afterward. Hadassah will be sorely missed by family, friends and the Jewish Community at large which she served with dedication and love for many years. May she rest in peace and may her memory be for a blessing.

Gabi Abeles

October 29, 2008

The sad news have reached us in Israel too. A very long friendship that started in camp pembroke during the sixties, had developed to close ties between the families. We were furtunate to get to know Hadassah. It enriched our life and aroused to a deep love and appricieation We are with you in your grief. Gabi Moshe Varda and Ira

Ellen Barry Fallon

October 26, 2008

I will always remember Hadassah singing taps to us over the loudspeaker at Camp Pembroke in the 60's and 70's. She was a great leader for many years and we will never forget her.

Ann Silverman

October 26, 2008

I am another Camp Pembroke alum who remembers Hadassah from many years at camp. What a contribution she made to many of our lives,

Millie Santiago

October 26, 2008

My condolences go out to the Blocker Family. May her memories live on in their hearts.

Ellen (giggles) Epstein Zirin

October 25, 2008

I have many found memories of my summers (58-61) at Camp Pembroke. Hadassah's influence will live on in all who were blessed to be a part of her life. I can hear her voice singing Lila, Lila over the loudspeaker as she sang us to sleep on Shabbat. May her name be a blessing.

Ann Price

October 24, 2008

I was so sorry to hear of Hadassah's passing. I met her several times when visiting at Cabot Park. May her memory comfort you during the difficult days ahead.

Lyn Schwartz

October 24, 2008

One of the most wonderful experiences of my life were the 7 summers I spent at Camp Pembroke in the 1960s. As adolescents in 'Haifa' we could be a bit raucous and difficult. Hadassah quietly lectured us on a few occasions in the 'Quiet Lounge' about playing by the rules and respecting our counselors. She was a wondeful person and Pembroke was a wonderful place to come to every summer thanks to her.

Clare Davis Yaffe

October 24, 2008

I have wonderful memories of Hadassah ... from being a camper and then a CA/JC at Camp Pembroke. She IS the woman who taught me what Judiasm is about. Spiritually, Hadassah was a very big part in my life. My sincere condolences to the Blocker Family. We have all lost a wonderful and caring "Mother".

Pria Elizabeth Harmon

October 24, 2008

I made you laugh. You made me blessed.
I am forever grateFULL for our friendship.

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