Paramus, New Jersey
Gathering for the Feast
She set up the tent.
Anyone who has tried it knows the frustration of erecting a tent in the woods with children waiting. But during a vacation at Niagara Falls last summer, Deborah Kaplan snapped together her family's brand new ripstop shelter without breaking a sweat.
"She was the best at that stuff," said her husband, Harold. "She was the engineer. That was her domain."
It was a peculiar domain for an Orthodox Jewish woman from Brooklyn, one of only three women engineers in her graduating class at Cooper Union. She went on to work for the Port Authority, but Mr. Kaplan said engineering was not her passion. Her family was.
For years, Mrs. Kaplan, 45, worked only part time. Even after she was transferred from Journal Square in Jersey City to the World Trade Center this spring she took the 3 o'clock train home to be with her four children, he said.
When the family moved to Paramus, N.J., Mrs. Kaplan discovered that the local yeshiva did not give the children the traditional items used to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. She did not complain. Instead, she found a wholesale supplier of the lulav, a palm branch, and the etrog, a citrus fruit from Israel. She sent forms to parents, took orders and collected payments.
Mrs. Kaplan was so efficient she ended up ordering lulavs and etrogs for five area synagogues. "If you had to count on someone for anything," said Nina Glaser, a friend, "you knew you could count on Debbie."
Still think of you often and hope your husband and children are thriving. Will never forget your smile and gentle ways. You touched so very many in your short time on earth. Miss you.
mb
September 16, 2024 | Work
I met Deborah through our boys. They were close friends from k-8 grade. Deborah and I became good friends. She came to my house and me hers. Today, I just finished cleaning one of her friends teeth. Im a dental hygienist. My pt and I reminisced of how
wonderful Deborah was and how she touched our lives. One of the kindest person you would know. She is missed every day.
Deborah Fishman
November 10, 2019 | Glen Rock, NJ | Friend
Im a sophomore at Shanley High School, Fargo ND and researched Deborah Kaplan. I enjoyed researching and learning about Deborah. She died a hero and her legacy will live on. She was brave and and a true hero.
Hannah W.
August 29, 2019 | Fargo, ND | Student
Remembering you with a smile -- that sweet, gentle spirit, so selfless. May your family find some measure of comfort in knowing that you touched so many lives in your short time on this earth. Your star continues to shine !
mb
September 11, 2016
I have fond memories of a fine young woman who I sat next to in Elementary school. May she rest in peace
Joel Markel
April 11, 2016 | NJ
On 9/11/2013 My wife and I had the privilege of participating in the 2 Million Biker's on D.C. ride to commemorate the Victims and their Families of the 9/11/2001 Nightmare. I had the honor of wearing the name of Deborah H. Kaplan on my leather vest during the ride. Our prayers to the Family and Friends who suffered such a terrible loss. May God rest Her Soul!!!
October 01, 2013
Each year on 09-11, I listen as your name is called, and I watch one of your family members pay tribute to you. You are sorely missed by many.
September 14, 2013
Another year ... you're in our hearts ... you always will be
Mindy, Howard and Matthew
September 11, 2013
Thinking of you today and often. Never forgotten!
Nico
September 11, 2013