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EILEEN KITZIS KAYE BERGER

EILEEN BERGER Obituary

BERGER--Eileen Kaye. Eileen Kaye Berger, lifetime teacher, photographer, and author, devoted to telling Janusz Korczak's Holocaust story, dies at 79. In her long career, Eileen taught and co-chaired the graduate program at the International Center of Photography for 20 years. Eileen was a lifelong New Yorker, and spent a great deal of time walking the parks, visiting bookstores and Zabar's daily, seeing films, and making "medicinal strength chicken soup." She believed every day was an opportunity to make a new friend. She is survived by her children, Samantha and Milo Berger, and her brother, Paul Kaye. A memorial service will be planned in New York for late spring.

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 19, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for EILEEN BERGER

19 Entries

Heidi Arbogast

September 23, 2025

I´ve just learned of Eileen´s passing. I was a student of hers in the ICP/NYU program `91-94. Eileen was like no other. She always got straight to the heart of the matter. Always. She was intense, vivacious, curious, probing, and an advocate for ideas. Deep thinking. Eileen has stayed with me over the years, leaving her mark. She knew just how to push students, when it mattered. In a writing class, "Now that´s interesting...empathy for the broken glass."
I wanted to be in Eileen´s orbit, even after graduation. I took a few yoga classes with her (Maybe in the Jewish Museum library?) When I left New York, she sent me a yoga tape she recorded. I hope I still have it! I am grateful for getting close enough to receive her gravitational pull.

Catherine

March 10, 2025

Eileen was a brilliant and kind teacher and friend. I am so grateful to her for being an inspiration to so many, and creating a space for so many ideas about imagery, language, and life. Blessings to Milo and Samantha. She will be missed and lovingly remembered.

Joni

March 8, 2025

Eileen was a powerful force as co-professor at NYU/ICP. She brought so many interesting perspectives about imagery to photography. She will be missed and remembered!

Ilene Shane

January 1, 2025

It´s 12:30 AM I couldn´t sleep and somehow Eileen came into my train of thought. I studied with her in the MFA program ICP / NYU Program and 1983 ... shocked to hear he passed away.. my deepest condolences.

Pier

June 11, 2024

I had exchanged emails with Eileen on March 7, 2023 at 10:19:55PM CST! - and wrote since then quite a few times, but not receiving responses, I thought that she was just too busy. Only yesterday, June 10, 2024 did I decide to do a search on the internet... and found this terrible news. What happened? Please let me know. I did not know Eileen was ill. We shared so much from travelling from to Budapest to Auschwitz and Warsaw... and Flatbush. So much, besides her work on Korczak, the Catskills. A very long list. A very big loss. I am so sorry. What a hole. All of my condolences. I am speechless.

Gary Cohen (aka Auguste Elder)

November 17, 2023

Eileen was the last of the true Lamed Vav Tzadikim, and was a devoted guardian, like her Janusz Korczak, to many of us abandoned children. She led us by virtue of her ecstatic philosophical and mystical melody into the ominous familiar of the great unknown. She cracked open the tight grain of our voices to release the soft, authentic animal within. I would say that I miss her, except that I carry her everywhere with me. She and her green marker know that.

Catherine Nance

October 7, 2023

I was an ICP/NYU student and so sad to only now hear of Eileen´s passing. I loved Eileen, she was a brilliant teacher and inspiration. I have so much gratitude to her for her kindness and understanding heart. The last time I saw her was at Barnes and Noble and we had a coffee and got to catch up a bit. She will be deeply missed! My deepest condolences to Samantha and Milo.

Shannon Carpenter

July 27, 2023

I was a student of Eileen's in the NYU/ICP program 2000. She challenged me in a way that few teachers ever have and was an incredibly formative mentor. I reached out to her in February 2023 to humbly ask if she'd be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me for my (second!) graduate school application for Counseling. She so graciously agreed, and I emailed her yesterday to let her know that I received acceptance and to let her know I was back in NY, as we'd discussed getting together on my next visit back to the city. I was so sad to hear of her passing. It's so true to her spirit that she was transforming lives and a champion for learning and finding meaning, voice and purpose until the end of her life. I'll always be grateful for her, and I am grateful that I got to tell her recently how impactful she continues to be in my life even after all these years. My sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.

Fariha Chowdhury

July 4, 2023

I love Eileen so much. I met her through my frequent trips to the Barnes and Nobles Cafe after school. I recently heard of her passing about 3 days ago. I stopped going so often because of school and testing season. I would take occasional trips to see her as we were supposed to go to the new AMNH gilder theater opening together. It has been awhile until I saw her again, I phoned her and emailed her multiple times and didn't get a response.

Until I asked around of the old staff at BN after their renovation and found out of her passing.

She was such a great person and an amazing being.

All well and amazing things are what she deserves.

Linda Weissman

May 28, 2023

I have known Eileen since 1987, when we began studying with Rabbi Meir Fund. Her dedication and passion for our Jewish heritage was abiding. She brought that same passion and enthusiasm to most everything. I ask, pleas3, for more details of her passing, and if the Memorial has yet taken place. I would like s9m3 contact numbervfor her children or really close friends.

May her memory be for a blessing for us all.

My contact is
[email protected]

Ron Brawer

May 26, 2023

So sad to learn of Eileen's passing.
We were high-school sweethearts and, later, at the UW-Madison.
Deep condolences to Samantha and Milo.

Lisa Martin

April 18, 2023

I loved Eileen and saw her almost daily at the pool. In the last months less frequent but what a great spirit. I will miss her deeply. Please do let us know about a service. She was a force of nature.

Anna X.

April 15, 2023

I´d love to attend the memorial too, if possible. I know Eileen from the swimming pools that she used to go to (eastern athletic, then YMCA) & she´s become my holiday movie buddy over the past two years. She hasn´t answered her emails for the past month & a quick search led me to find out about this here.

My sincere condolences & would love to be able to pay her a visit and say proper goodbye.

Anna
Email: [email protected]

MICHAEL LESY

March 28, 2023

Please accept my condolences.

Joni Sternbach

March 22, 2023

Eileen was a beautiful spirit and a wonderful teacher, she will be missed!

Maria Martinez-Cañas

March 20, 2023

A great teacher and wonderful artist. Thank you everything.

Stephen Perloff

March 20, 2023

It had sadly been many years since I'd seen Eileen, but she was a vital part of the Philadelphia photography scene in the mid-1970s. I remember her as wonderful person and teacher and she made very personal and inventive photographs.

Patt Blue

March 19, 2023

So sad yo hear this news. I was a friend and colleague at ICP. Please contact me for the memorial. Patt Blue, 917-915-2370, [email protected]

Erin Murray

March 17, 2023

Sending love to both Samantha and Milo! She will forever be watching over both of you.

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