Sheva "Shaye" Kotok

KOTOK, SHEVA "SHAYE" - of Vineland, passed away on November 4, 2008 at home. She was born on July 26, 1918. She was the fourth daughter of Jacob and Rachel Crystal. She was predeceased by her parents and older sisters, Gertrude Crystal Serata and Ethel Crystal Kesler. She is survived by her sister, Pearl C. Hacker, of Atlanta. She is also survived by her son, David, three grandchildren - Rachel Kotok, Sarah Newstok and Mitchell Kotok, one great grandchild - Ruth Lillian Newstok, a niece - Honey Pavel, of Honolulu, and two nephews - Samuel Serata of Bridgeton and Charles Hacker of Atlanta. She graduated from the Union Grove Grammar School in 1931, Vineland High School in 1935, and Montclair State College in 1939. She received a bachelor's degree and was certified to teach mathematics, English and social studies. She taught in 1940 in the Norma school. She was married in 1940 to Leslie Kotok. In 1943, their son, David, was born. Leslie served three years in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater. Upon his return, both became active in civic affairs. She served as a Boy Scout den mother, a Girl Scout leader for which she was given awards and a 4-H leader. She was a member of the Red Cross, American Cancer Society, and, with help, organized the Newcomb Hospital fair to raise funds for an intensive care unit. She also helped organize the Vineland Public Library fair to raise money for its infrastructure. She was a member of Vineland Rotary, hosted a Rotary exchange student from Ecuador, and two exchange study groups, one from Germany and one from France. She was a life long member of Hadassah, and twice its president. She was a member of Beth Israel Synagogue, Beth Israel Sisterhood, and a member of Hebrew Women's Benevolent Society. She was a presidential appointee to the National Council for the Aging. Funeral services will be held Thursday (today) at 1:30 PM from Beth Israel Congregation 1015 E. Park Ave. Vineland, with Rabbi Alfredo Winter officiating. Friends and relatives may call at the Synagogue from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM prior to the service. Interment will follow in Alliance Cemetery, Pittsgrove. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Sheva Kotok to Hadassah, Bat Ami Chapter, Attn: Lynda Bardfeld, 1868 Kings Road, Vineland, NJ 08361 or Beth Israel Synagogue, 1015 E. Park Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360. Arrangements were entrusted to the Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.