Dr. Sidney Adler

Surrounded by loved ones, Sidney Adler passed away at his home after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Sid was born to Fannie and Joseph Adler in Ellenville, NY. He spent his early years living on a farm with his three brothers and large extended family. In 1935, Sid's father moved the family to New York City, where Sid began studies at Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva. School days at the yeshiva were long, but Sid thrived. His proclivity for academic challenge and success continued into his adolescence and adulthood. Sid earned his bachelor's degree from the City College of New York (CCNY). He enrolled in CCNY's teacher-credentialing program, but his plans were upended when the registrar failed to submit his enrollment notification to the draft board, resulting in Sid being drafted for service in the Korean War. While enlisted, Sid completed airplane-repair training and was assigned to a base in Japan. Good fortune came when the Army added a literacy assessment to its officer-advancement requirements. This meant that many current and would-be officers needed to take a college-level literacy/composition course offered at military bases throughout Japan and Korea. Sid, as the only soldier (out of thousands) on his base with a college degree, eagerly accepted a position teaching two of these courses. This was Sid's first full teaching assignment, and he again thrived. By day, he was a lowly airplane mechanic…by night, he instructed the highest-ranked officers in the entire military regional theater. Sid's reputation grew further while spearheading a military partnership with The Jewish Agency, which regularly shipped lavish Shabbat meals and supplies for other Jewish rituals to the bases. Sid led Shabbat/holiday services and other events on his base: breaks from routine base life that quickly became highlights for the Jewish soldiers. Upon returning from the war, Sid ultimately did earn his teaching credential from CCNY. He also met Dina (Nehama), his future wife of 63 years. The couple were married and moved to California, drawn by better weather and job opportunities. Sid began teaching at Morningside High School while also working towards his Ph.D. in English at the University of Southern California. While most of his peers focused on established authors for their dissertations, Sid studied Isaac Bashevis Singer—a man then well-known in the Jewish/Yiddish community, but less so in the greater literary community. Sid produced the first dissertation of Singer. When Singer was awarded the 1978 Nobel Prize in literature, Sid was interviewed by CBS News and his work was referenced by international media. Sid and Dina relocated to Thousand Oaks and grew their family to include two children, Reeva and Eric. Sid soon assumed a faculty position in humanities at Moorpark College. Sid's service as union president at Moorpark yielded profound improvements in contract language, working conditions, and overall compensation for hundreds of Moorpark employees. During his two-decade leadership as dean, Sid supervised 165 faculty, greatly increased enrollment, and coordinated funding and construction of the Performing Arts Center. Sid assumed equally influential roles in the local and greater Jewish community. He served on synagogue and organizational boards and committees, led Torah readings, and ensured that his children fully experienced Jewish education and culture. In addition to bringing his family on an enormously rewarding year-long sabbatical trip to Israel, Sid supported his children in attending Habonim Dror summer camp and spending additional years living and learning in Israel. Upon retirement, Sid was involved in a variety of professional and community groups. His leadership in the VCCCD Retired Management Association again improved compensation for many. Sid's life left a legacy of commitment to Jewish values, devotion to family, and service to community. His will to live—and live to the fullest—inspired and was admired by all. He is survived by his wife Dina, children Reeva and Eric, and grandchildren Hannah, Adam, and Leah.