RHODA NATHAN

I had Mrs. Nathan at Hofstra in 1971 or 1972 for a course in the modern Jewish novel. I can so picture her in front of our class and she was as interesting if not more so, than the famous books we read. Not being Jewish, I´ve been in her debt for helping me develop an empathy for the great Jewish people. I am thrilled that she lived a long life.

I met Rhoda through our common interest in Shaw. She was a generous and kind presence, welcoming me enthusiastically to the community of New York Shavians. Mostly I remember her great vitality, her intelligence, and her warmth...and oh yes, her energy. How she managed to host a dinner party for six (or was it seven?) and then cross the park to chair a meeting of the Shaw Society I don't know; she was gifted with the strength (and the organizational skills) of several people. I wish she...

Rhoda was my father Morris' maternal first cousin. His mother was Sprince Buchholz Preminger. I stumbled on news of Rhoda's passing in last Sunday's Times. I remember Rhoda (and Anna and Sylvia and their husbands) fondly from family weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Reading about her here, I'm sad that I didn't get to know her better. She sounds like a remarkable woman. My condolences for your loss. May her memory be a blessing.

Hofstra in the 1970s had an amazing faculty in English and humanities. The teachers were young, they wanted to be relevant, fun, dress like you and be your friend. Rhoda (to her students she was "Mrs. Nathan" then "Dr. Nathan") was more conventional: she prepared, she measured, she corrected. But she had an amazing presence as a teacher that, combined with her more formal posture and demeanor as seen in those two marvelous photos by Richard Hirsh, presented American literature as both...

When I lived on West 88th Street, I would phone Rhoda on Friday afternoons and ask whether she would like to go with me to Shabbat morning services...She usually did and as a result I became a regular attendee. Rhoda had many fascinating stories to share about her upbringing, her academic life and her wonderful marriage to Ira. She was memorable and will be missed.

I only met Rhoda once...at one of our department BBQs about 10 years ago. She was witty and engaging -- really on top of things. So very sorry for your loss. And for the loss of another from that exceptional generation.

I, too, had the privilege of knowing Rhoda as her rabbi at West End Synagogue in NYC. Although her mental acuity had diminished by then, I witnessed flashes of her great wit, wisdom, and insight, as well as her great sense of humor and love for her Jewish heritage -- and her respect and love for her beloved husband Ira. Also, I am reminded of Rhoda literally every morning, when I drink my coffee from a set of NYT Crossword puzzle mugs from Fishes Eddy which she gifted me when I came to...