Sidra Bunny Sperling, age 91, of West Hartford, died, Friday, November 3, 2023. She was the beloved wife, for 65 years, of the late Marvin Sperling who passed away on December 14, 2020. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of Michael and Ruth (Rabinovitz) Goldberg. She graduated from the former Yeshiva of Hartford (Hebrew Academy), Meriden High School, and New York University.

She was devoted to her family, friends, children, and multi generations of students. She loved books, entertaining, and cooking/baking for family and friends, especially during the Jewish holidays. It brought her joy to share homemade goodies with everyone.

She was a teacher for more than 60 years. In addition to leading High Holy Day services for children at Beth El Temple in West Hartford and teaching Hebrew School for all grades, including adult classes, she also substituted at Solomon Schechter Day School and tutored children and adults. She was named 1995 Jewish Educator of the Year by the Jewish Ledger and was honored by the Beth El Men's Club in 2007 for her 40 years of commitment to teaching at the synagogue.

She is survived by her children James, Reesa Kaplan, and Jonathan; grandchildren Arielle and Steven Rosson, Tracey Kaplan, and Amanda Sperling; and great-grandchildren Shoshana and Lev Rosson.

She was predeceased by her brother Spencer, and sisters Iris Berman and Jacquelin Waleson.

A graveside funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm with Rabbi James Rosen officiating at the Hartford Mutual Society Cemetery, 74 Wolcott Road, in East Granby. Following interment, the family will receive friends at Beth El Temple, West Hartford.

May her memory be a source of strength and a blessing. Donations in Sidra's memory may be made to Beth El Temple, West Hartford. Funeral arrangements provided by Hebrew Funeral Association, West Hartford.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Nov. 7, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Sidra Sperling

Sponsored by the family.

14 Entries

Harold Rabinovitz

December 18, 2024

Bunny took care of me when I was little at Ocean Beach.

Wendy Steven Button & Richard

Planted Trees

Debra Ofshay

November 10, 2023

Dear Reesa and Family,
Very sorry about the passing of your mom! Your mom was always very kind to whoever came to the. Also your mom loved all who she taught in Hebrew too!

Lonnie Scheinblum

November 10, 2023

One of the loveliest & most caring of religious teachers at Temple Beth El who encouraged my younger son Andrew Lewis (Chanan Baruch) Scheinblum pre Bar Mitzvah and kept in touch with post event even after he unexpectedly passed away at 17. I can never express what her caring & concern meant to our family. May her beautiful memory be for a blessing to her and peace for her loving family.

Lonnie (Etta Leah) Scheinblum

Tracey Kaplan

November 9, 2023

Love you yooo much Bubby! Thank you for always keeping me nourished through your food and love. I'll always cherish the memories I have of our time together, and aspire to be the selfless, loving person you modeled for us all.

Brenda M.

November 9, 2023

Reesa & Family:

So sorry to hear of your loss. Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always. With heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Brenda M.

Andy Sirkis

November 8, 2023

Love my Aunt Bunny. She was always such a kind and caring person who made people feel welcome in her home. A very dedicated Mom and teacher who loved the children in her extended family.

Robbie Frankel

November 8, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. I'll never forget the time my grandmother Arlyne and I took a trip to Hartford and stayed with Bunny and Marvin. It was the first time I had met them and they were kind enough to let us stay with them. Marvin picked us up from the airport almost at midnight. My grandmother had told Bunny I was vegan, and when I arrived at their home late at night, not only was Bunny wide awake with enough energy to fill a room but there was a delightful mountain of salad waiting for me - it brought a smile to my face. The time spent with the two of them in Hartford will forever be cherished in my heart. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to meet her and Marvin. They were wonderful people. Sending my love to the whole family during this sad and extremely difficult time.

Renee G. Schwartz

November 8, 2023

I loved Sidra and Marvin. I used to tell my husband that I wanted us to be like them at their age. My daughters both had Sidra as a teacher at Beth El. I worked at Schechter as well and was always so grateful to Sidra when she could cover for me, because I knew my students were in wonderful, capable, and caring hands. I am happy to believe that Marvin and Sidra are together again but sad because they will be greatly missed. May both of their memories be for a blessing to all that knew and loved them.
Renée Schwartz

Harold Rabinovitz

November 7, 2023

Rest in peace, Bunny.

Deborah Levine

November 7, 2023

Sidra was my daughter´s Bat Mitzvah tutor and substitute at Schechter. She loved her time with Sidra, whose love of learning and young people was was so obvious. She will be a loss to all who had the privilege to know her. May her memory be for a blessing.

Jeffrey Leibert

November 7, 2023

Mrs. Sperling was one of my most favorite teachers at Beth El. She said she loved me because I never gave her an "ounce of trouble". Other kids were unruly and didn't care about being there to learn especially the Tuesday,Thursday group. I never saw such a person that was so involved in the community and temple as much as her.

Sybil Schuman Raiman

November 6, 2023

Bunny and Marvin were an important part of my extended family when I was growing up in Hartford. They were always part of our family celebrations. Bunny always had a smile on her face and was so much fun to be around. Such wonderful memories of all our family get togethers.

Joanne bienstock

November 6, 2023

Sidra was my Hebrew teacher I loved her very much she and her husband also were my triplets Hebrew school teacher may her memory be for a blessing

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