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BONNIE JACOBSON Obituary

JACOBSON--Dr. Bonnie.

A light has gone dark in the firmament of goodness. Dr. Bonnie Jacobson left this world on the morning of Yom Kippur, Saturday, September 30, 2017. Her family and friends are grief stricken by her untimely passing. As she is mourned Bonnie is celebrated: She will always be remembered for her red hair, her warm smile, her good deeds, her energy and contagious enthusiasm for living but above all she will be cherished eternally for her abundant loving kindness. Bonnie, both personally and professionally as a psychologist, lived the embodiment of the Talmudic saying, "Save one life, you save the world." We are all better people and the world a better place for having had Bonnie Jacobson walk among us. (Shiva at Dr. Jacobson's home on October 3, 17 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm) A memorial service is being planned. (Go to legacy.com for updated info) With love for our dearest friend, Harrice Miller, Linda Carter, Bonnie Maslin, Myrna Weissman

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

Published by New York Times on Oct. 3, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for BONNIE JACOBSON

Sponsored by Bonnie Maslin, Harice Miller, Linda Carter, Myrna Weissman .

27 Entries

Raymond

September 27, 2024

Still miss you!

Alexander Mitsuda

May 9, 2022

Still think of you often and remember that infectious smile...you'll be lovingly remembered always.

Melissa

May 8, 2022

I´ve just learned this terrible news. I saw Bonnie in the late 90´s and early 2000´s. Her therapy had a profound effect on me. Her guidance enabled me to overcome my shyness and anxiety to find love and to have a successful career. I owe so much to her. She will be sorely missed.

Judy Wien

September 29, 2019

I still think of Bonnie often. She made such a positive contribution in the world and her spirit is still alive within those who knew her and loved her.I miss her every day.

Suzanne Stutman

September 28, 2019

Missing you today and every day

A happy family Bonnie hapless create

August 21, 2018

Bonnie took away my panic attacks and with her sweet smile and engaging laugh made me feel my worth session after session.i grew and I grew and I overcame. i am happy. Thank you dear, sweet Bonnie!

Barbara Katz

January 29, 2018

I am shocked and saddened by Bonnie's passing. "Whatever happened to ...?" is what brought me here to this page. As a previous patient of Bonnie's during the 1980's and early 90's, she helped me to transform my life for the better back then and her wise words to me linger still. She was a brilliant woman, a loving, funny, and compassionate person and guide to me. I admired her unique style, her accomplishments and insight. And I'm comforted knowing that a part of her lingers on in me and in all of us whose lives she touched.

Alexander Mitsuda

December 29, 2017

Bonnie Jacobson turned my life around with the group therapy work we did together at her offices on 79th St. in a small room, filled with 8 or so tortured souls. Once again, in life, I find myself at a crossroads, but knowing I need help. Alas, she is gone and truly a light has gone out, but her soul and what she's help me find in myself burns brightly. As one who believes the soul goes on... Bonnie, I send you my love, gratitude and the smile that crosses my heart when I think of you.

Deborah Freeman

December 7, 2017

Although I didnt really know her I often saw her around the Hamptons and even at an Elem meeting. Her warmth and sensitivity were memorable. Im sure she brought light to many a dark day.

Margarita Ukman

November 27, 2017

My family and I had the privilege to meet Ms. Jacobson at the Jewish Center of The Hamptons. She will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa Rubin

November 27, 2017

I had the privilege of serving on the board of Elem with Bonnie many years ago. We also traveled to Israel together and I will never forget our meaningful conversations. She was my favorite person to sit with on the bus, or walk next to on the tours. She was so warm, compassionate, supportive, and smart. I was shocked and saddened to learn of her death. I join with the mourners in wishes that she rest in peace.
-Rabbi Lisa Rubin

Bonnie out with Eva and Raymond

Raymond Singer

November 10, 2017

A photo from happy times, enjoyed with Bonnie.

Janet Davis

October 31, 2017

Bonnie, How I miss you and the happy smile you possessed at all times. You radiated goodness and it was infectious. We had a fantastic trip to Cuba at the end of 2014 and you even went off to teach a seminar while we were in Havana. You seemed in relatively good shape and went to the school and back by yourself. Your energy for walking, touring and dancing on the street at night to the music was endless. You led a group from our tour in dancing around the tables to the Havanans playing Cuban music in a wonderful, delicious restaurant. What fun it was. On this 10 day trip you were full of your old self, but the signs were still there. Even so, I will remember with joy the wonderful time we had. Love Forever, Janet

Annie Kleinschmidt

October 28, 2017

Bonnie introduced me to KJ at a time of oblivion. She understood my spirituality but knew I was not ready. She did not push me. This year, I spent Yom Kippur at KJ, unaware she had passed on this blessed morning of Shabbat and Yom Kippur. I know she is happy with God, resting in the garden of Eden. I will miss my good neighbor immensely, in the building, at yoga, for our walks in the park.

October 27, 2017

We are having a memorial service for Bonnie to celebrate her life, on December 10, 2017 at 2:00 in the afternoon.

It will be held at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, 125 East 85th Street, NYC. All are invited. Harrice Miller, Linda Carter, Bonnie Maslin, Myrna Weissman

October 19, 2017

We are planning to have a memorial to celebrate Bonnie's life on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Manhattan. The time and place will be announced. Please save the date.

Harrice Miller, Bonnie Maslin, Linda Carter, Myrna Weissman

Carol Lane-Mariani

October 9, 2017

Throughout my life, there have been many new challenges, moments of uncertainty and discomfort. During those different moods and thoughts, there was always one constant...my friendship with BonnIe. She possessed a deep sensibility, intelligence, instinct, and the ability to understand the psychology of people.

In twenty-five years of friendship we had many conversations on a wide range of topics. Bonnie had a deep interest in art. We went to openings and exhibitions at galleries and museums. When she came to Italy for an exhibition of Carlo's work, she had so many questions. Her thirst for discovery, her interest in learning something new, her generosity of spirit and sensitivity to others, even those different from herself, defined her as a person and a professional.

My feelings for Bonnie were more deeply felt with the passing of time.
I have countless memories of her smiling face, which brings me a certain serenity.
I know she is at peace, now.

Annie Kleinschmidt

October 9, 2017

RIP, Bonnie.

Elissa deBrito

October 8, 2017

Though I didn't know Bonnie well, her warmth and luminous nature will remain with me....

Bonnie Maslin

October 7, 2017

This is a considerably expanded obituary for Dr. Bonnie Jacobson
Psychologist

EXPANDED OBITUARY
Updated Friday, October 6, 2017

A light has gone dark in the firmament of goodness. Dr. Bonnie Jacobson left this world on the morning of Yom Kippur, Saturday, September 30, 2017. Her family and friends are grief stricken by her untimely passing.

As she is mourned Bonnie is celebrated; She was simply and entirely an extraordinarily good person. She turned to all she knew and all she did with love.
Bonnies love and passion for her profession, her faith, her community and her Israel was nonpareil.

A psychologist in private practice for over forty years, her many patients found emotional solace and healing through her ministrations. She was a balm to their souls as she changed and saved many lives.

In addition to her work as a therapist Bonnie found time to reach out to countless others in turmoil through her seven self-help books tackling a range of relationship issues from social anxiety (The Shy Single) to marital conflict (Choose to Be Happily Married) and numerous television appearances.

Bonnie adored East Hampton where she and Arie spent their summers in her beautiful waterfront home. It was here in The Springs that she was truly at one with nature. Long walks on the beach, jogging through Clear Water Beach, kayaking in the inlet behind her home, yoga classes on her lawn, swimming in her pool or just reading a book on the deck overlooking her own "Gan Eden" were some of the many ways she made every moment of life count in her beloved and beautiful environment.

Summers were also a time and a place of great productivity where Bonnie often spent summer afternoons creating her many books.

Deeply spiritual Bonnie valued her Jewishness and her Jewish Community. An active member of the orthodox, Kehilat Jeshuran in NYC and the reform Jewish Center of East Hampton, she attended Sabbath Services year round without fail and became a beloved congregant of these two synagogues, where she was continually engaged in Jewish studies.

She travelled to her beloved Israel as often as possible to visit family and to serve the homeland of the Jewish people: She was a founding member of ELEM, a charitable group for Israeli Youth in Distressed Situations. It was the first of its kind in the country and made a critical and lasting impact on innovations in the treatment of delinquent adolescents in Israel.

Bonnies efforts in delivering much needed psychological service to children extended to her adopted home of NYC; Bonnie created and endowed a psychology program in NYC for underserved public schools. Setting up a fellowship program in conjunction with NYU interns from the School Psychology Program (from which she graduated) she provided psychologists to schools in need. Bonnie loved children and this was manifest daily in her countless acts of loving kindness to other peoples children.

While children were always her top priority, Bonnies Yoga and her commitment to wellness was a lifelong pursuit, which she happily shared with all who knew her. Anyone who knew Bonnie encountered her openness and inclusiveness, which often meant an invitation to a yoga session or a Torah class or a night at the theater, a swim in her pool or a seat at her Shabbat dinner table. (And no matter how many times you might refuse, she would always offer again and again.)

Generosity of the self was first among her great gifts. And her generosity of spirit always extended to the offer of assistance in hours of need. If you knew her and you were in pain - she was there. Was your husband sick? Was your child angry with you? Were you spiritually lost? Were you homeless? Was your marriage trying? She was there.

But to know Bonnie was to know that family - above all her family made the center of her meaning hold and whole. Her family by birth and her family by choice were everything to her. Nowhere was that more visible than when you would see her light up at the mention of a grandchilds name. Pictures would come out immediately, and with wonder and joy she would recount a first step, a first tooth, a graduation, or maybe just a precious smile. She lit up when she was bathed in the warmth of family love.

Bonnie Jacobson cherished her family: mother Rose Singer, late father Charles Singer, husband Arie Shapiro, sons Eric and Brad, their spouses Rasna Dhillon, and Amanda Eaken, brother Raymond Singer and Sister Suzanne Stutman, their spouses Wendy Singer and Jonathan Wilkenfeld (and Suzannes late husband Ned Stutman) and her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren in America, Israel, and Europe.

Bonnie will always be remembered for her red hair, her warm smile, her energy and contagious enthusiasm for living but above all she will be cherished eternally for her abundant loving kindness.

Bonnie Jacobson lived the embodiment of the Talmudic saying, You save one life, you save the world. Sadly one of the 36 the Lamed Vav Tsadikim who walks the world to keep us safe is gone. But we are all better people and the world a better place for having Bonnie Jacobson walk among us.

Rest in peace dear Bonnie.

There was a grave side funeral in Pennsylvania.
Shiva was observed from 4:00PM to 9:00PM at 180 East 79th Street, on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at the home of Dr. Jacobson.

A memorial service is being planned.

PLEASE COME BACK TO VISIT LEGACY.COM TO GET AN UPDATE ON OUR PLANS FOR BONNIES MEMORIAL SERVICE. (We hope to have some information after October 20, 2017.)

With Love for Our Dearest Friend
Harrice Miller
Linda Carter
Bonnie Maslin
Myrna Weisman

Susan Hans

October 6, 2017

Bonnie was a special woman. Condolences to all who were dear.

Farewell my beautiful friend. Remembering our special night in Boston a few years ago.

Judy Wien

October 5, 2017

Farewell my beautiful friend Bonnie. You made the world a better place & time spent with you was always special. I treasure our memories together.

Mamma Rose, Bonnie, and lifelong devoted friend since childhood, Harrice. There is no better friend you could ever ask for than Harrice. Florida, 2014

Bonnie Maslin

October 4, 2017

Three special women: Mamma Rose, sweet Bonnie, and lifelong devoted friend since childhood - Harrice. Florida

Rose Jacobson, daughter, Bonnie Jacobson, and Bonnie Maslin. A lovely summer dinner party at Kristina Laakso's Sagaponick home.

Bonnie Maslin

October 3, 2017

One of our many wonderful summertime evenings of love, family and friendship in Bonnie's beloved Hamptons. A gracious party we all attended at the home of our friend, Kristina Laakso.
Mamma Rose, Bonnie J, and me-Bonnie M.

Bonnie Maslin

October 3, 2017

We are planning a memorial for Bonnie and will post information about it after October 18, 2017.
Bonnie Maslin
Myrna Weissman
Harrice Miller
Linda Carter

Judy Wien

October 3, 2017

Bonnie made the world a better place & will be remembered for the gift that she was. Never one to just sit on the sidelines but fearlessly participating and contributing. She will be missed by all who were blessed to know her. Goodbye my sweet friend.

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