Amy Ahavah Oblak

1967 - 2024

Amy Ahavah Oblak

January 13, 1967 - August 14, 2024

Amy graduated from Walworth Big Foot HS; 1985 and she also graduated from the following universities: University of Wisconsin- Madison, BS Elementary Education, 1989; Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR Masters in Education & Minor; Certificate in Native American Studies; 4.0 honors student, 2008; University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, Masters of Science degree, Folklore Studies, 2011.

Amy is survived by her parents Bob and Pat Oblak Walworth, WI; brother Terry Oblak (Shada) Meridian, ID; daughter Eva Siegel (Sky) Portland, OR; sons Ezra Siegel (Anaiese) Eugene, OR, Raphael Halevi, Portland, OR and Tal Halevy (fiancé Kelli) Eugene, OR; grandsons Avais and Ezekiel. Bena Siegel and other Siegel family members also survive her.

Raised in rural Wisconsin, Amy was involved in the arts since childhood, studying classical piano for ten years, singing in madrigal, swing and concert choirs in high school and formally pursuing an art history minor during her undergraduate studies. She moved to southern Oregon in 1991 and became a licensed K-8th grade teacher. Amy worked extensively with home schooling groups and offered art, theater and music education classes utilizing piano and soprano C recorders with her students. Amy added an English Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) Endorsement to her license in 2008 and worked with migrant youth while living in Jackson County (Oregon).

Amy began working in the non-profit world in 2013 and had experience as an executive director, development director and events coordinator. Her work experience included, grant writing for a diverse range of nonprofit organizations, including tribal, Jewish, education, environmental and arts nonprofits, spanning over 25 years. She worked with people from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, promoting diversity and inclusion.

As a Federal Grant Reviewer, Amy reviewed and scored federal grant applications for charter schools, arts research, language preservation, and community development.

Amy wore many hats in her life. She was an educator, organic farmer, gardener, herbalist, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and development specialist for the Jewish Reconstructionist movement. But at heart, she was an artist, working in an array of media. She drew inspiration from the beauty of nature, particularly the Pacific Northwest and Israel. Amy also travelled to many Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan concerts as she really loved and appreciated their music.

She leaves us with a legacy of a woman dedicated to making the world a better place. Her memory is already a blessing to all who knew her.