Reeva Berk Isaacs

Reeva Berk Isaacs

Reeva Berk Isaacs, age 95, died of Covid 19 complications on Friday, May 8th, in Princeton, New Jersey. Born to Anna and Samuel Berk in 1924, in Paterson, New Jersey, Reeva was the older sister of Arthur Berk, late of Winter Park, Florida. Reeva graduated from East Side High School in Paterson, Class of 1942.

Reeva attended Ohio State University and New York University, earning a degree in Business and Retail in 1946. Shortly after college Reeva married George J. Isaacs, also of Paterson. They moved to Fair Lawn, near Paterson, to raise their three children. They filled their lives with a love of learning, music, art, and Judaism, sharing those passions with their children. Reeva sang in the Fair Lawn Jewish Center Choral Society and the Temple Emanuel Choir, engaged in political activism -- especially against the Vietnam War -- and devoted herself to social justice causes through the National Council of Jewish Women.

Reeva was an avid Israeli folkdancer. She earned an advanced degree in education and worked for many years as a bookkeeper in her husband's CPA firm, later becoming a licensed real estate agent for Weichert in Fair Lawn.

Widowed in 2001, Reeva relocated to Wayne, New Jersey, where she continued her work with the Paterson Jewish Historical Society and became more active in the YM-YWHA.

Following health challenges in 2002, Reeva moved to Princeton, New Jersey, to be near her son, daughter-in-law, and her two grandsons. She took three generation "ladies trips" for many summers with her daughters and granddaughter, exploring the East Coast from Canada to North Carolina and points in between.

In her later years, Reeva read avidly, attended concerts and lectures, taught English to new Americans and was a "Grand Pal" reading to elementary school children weekly and she continued to work out twice a week with a trainer.

Many people describe Reeva as a classy, smart, determined, witty person who showered family and friends with love. Throughout her life, Reeva inspired her adoring children and grandchildren.

Reeva is survived by children Audrey Isaacs, Myra Isaacs (Jack Janulis) of Richmond, VA and Hanan Isaacs (Helaine), and grandchildren Jara and Sage Janulis and Stuart and Joshua Isaacs.

To honor Reeva's memory, please make contributions to an organization for domestic violence victims that Reeva passionately supported: The Center for Hope & Safety, www.hopeandsafetynj.org.