Judah Greenzaid

Judah Greenzaid of Bethesda, MD, passed away on November 6 at Sunrise of Bethesda after a short period of convalescence, with his devoted wife, Molly, by his side. He was 96 years of age.

Judah was born on December 9, 1928 in Washington Heights, NYC, to David and Luba (Green) Greenzaid. Both parents were Jewish immigrants, his father from Yampol, Ukraine, and mother from Ukmerge, Lithuana. To make a living, David sold fabrics, first in the pushcart culture of the Lower East Side and then in a small shop in partnership with his brother Saul. Business was very hard.

In 1942, the family moved to DC, where Judah’s uncle, Zemach Green, was head rabbi at Ohev Shalom at 5th and I Streets. The family lived in basements and over grocery stores, while Judah’s father peddled fabrics along the streetcar line to tailors and dressmakers, eventually renting a small space at 11th and G NW.

Judah graduated from Roosevelt High in 1946, having excelled in both academics (including speaking five languages) and athletics, and was a varsity baseball player. He attended George Washington University as an undergrad and went on to earn an MA in Foreign Affairs there. After graduating, he was drafted into the US Army and served on the frontline in the Korean War Conflict. After the War, Judah returned to DC and in 1954, he and his parents and brother Peniel made the long-anticipated move to the newly established State of Israel.

Soon after, Judah returned to DC and established a new business with fabrics left in storage by his father. From its one room location on the fifth floor of 805 G Street, Judah built the retail fabric business, called G Street Remnant Shop, into the largest concern of its type in the DC area, eventually known worldwide for the variety and depth of designer as well as discount fabrics. Clientele included visiting dignitaries, diplomats and their wives, cabinet members and local theater groups.

Judah’s success as an entrepreneur was founded on both his business acumen and the warmth and respect he developed with his employees, customers, and vendors. His staff was international in profile, including new immigrants and family. He employed hundreds of Washingtonians over the years. He was a fair and attentive boss, teaching and entertaining all.

Judah kept his own counsel and followed his instincts. He was considered legendary in the over-the-counter fabric industry; his in-store innovations extended to elaborate fashion events and a full offering of sewing and design classes. He cut fabrics well into his later years, a man who believed work gave purpose and meaning in life.

In 1983 Judah made the difficult decision to relocate the business to Rockville, MD, expanding into a 40,000 square-foot emporium that employed over 200 employees. His sons joined him in the business in the1980’s, and in 2010, Judah retired, with his sons, Joel and Michael, at the helm to this day, continuing the Greenzaid legacy as G Street Fabrics & Home Decorating Center.

The same highly developed aesthetic sense that made Judah a success in the fabric business dictated personal aspects of his life, evident in his dapper dress and curated collection of oil paintings and design artifacts. He maintained special interests in Impressionist painters and items from the Art Deco and Streamline periods of his youth. While accomplished as both a self- made entrepreneur and consummate preserver of art and design, Judah was ever self-effacing, referring to himself in the early days as “janitor/owner/cleaner and everything,” and later, as “just a stockboy trying to make a living.”

Judah married Noelle Anna Greenzaid in 1957. They made a home in Bethesda and raised three children there. They later divorced. Judah was a loving and devoted father, always supportive of his children’s education and activities. He taught them a love of learning, the importance of hard work, and the spirit of generosity.

Judah was predeceased in death by his parents, his brothers Shlomo and Peniel, his sister-in-law, Margit, and his cousin, Leon. He is survived by Molly Wibberley Greenzaid, his wife of 24 years, his three children, Nadine (Neil) Davison, Joel (Laura), and Michael (Karen), his eight grandchildren, Daniel, Lara, Julia (Nathan), Jonathan, Jenna, Justin, Alexandra, and Nathaniel, and his great-grandchildren, Robert and Sophie, as well as nephews and niece, Roye, Noam and Shira Greenzaid.

Judah was interred at Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park in Clarksburg, MD on November 9th with a private graveside service for his family. Donations can be made in his memory to a charity of your choosing.