Joe Zebersky

Joe Zebersky was born on June 4, 1929 to Mildred and Sol Zebersky. Joe grew up in Brooklyn with his two sisters Rozy and Cynthia. They lived in a traditional Jewish home filled with love, laughter and plenty of characters. Joe's dad fancied himself as the best bartender in Brooklyn and Mildred exuded love and kindness (she was the most awesome grandmother her grandkids could have ever dreamed of having). After taking some courses at a local college, Joe realized that the world was a very big place and decided that he needed to see it all. He joined the Merchant Marines and embarked on journeys to Brazil, India, Europe and Asia. During that time, Joe also discovered that he was an ardent Zionist and his love for Israel and protecting the Jewish people from persecution was honed. Before he made Aliyah, Joe had several very successful businesses, including restaurants (Voila), bars (he opened one of the first openly homosexual bars in the Village), and ladies Fashion (DeLinde). But Joe's true love was Israel. So in 1971 he moved his family to Israel where he stayed until the 1980's. While in Israel Joe continued manufacturing clothes. He also assisted in the war effort during the Yom Kippur war. In the early 1980's Joe moved his family, including Zahava, Shlomit and Gani back to the United States and set up his new home in Rego Park Queens. Joe owned a prominent textile cutting business where he employed about 40 workers and provided patterns piece goods for ladies dresses. Joe and Zahava then moved to Twin Rivers New Jersey, until they moved back to Israel in the early 1990's. After about another decade in Israel, Joe and his family moved back to the United States and settled in Florida. While back in Florida Joe became an ardent member of the Chabad and faithfully attended services as much as he could. And while Joe was unofficially retired, he continued to work as a runner for several law firms. As Joe, slowed down on one front he heated up on another. He found a new calling in teaching his grandchildren Hebrew and assisted them in torah studies for their bar (bat) mitzvahs. He also was a frequent visitor at dance recitals, school events and sports activities. He also loved to roam the halls at JAZWARES where he was treated like a VIP The great thing about Joe is that until the very end he lived life on his own terms. Joe was not one of those "cold and timid souls" but he was in the arena of life. We thank Joe for teaching us how to laugh, how to eat, how to cook and how to have passion for things in life that matter. Joe is survived by his wife Zahava, his children Mark, Eddie, Judd, Shlomit, Gani, his grandchildren Elysa, David, Hannah, Myles, Micah, Ari, Gabriel, Jonah, his daughter in laws Laura, Debbie and Lauren, his former wife Pat Leff and his innumerous friends. This world was a much better place because Joe Zebersky was in it. Arrangements made by Menorah Gardens & Funeral Chapels, 21100 W. Griffin Rd., Southwest Ranches, Fl. 954-434-1531.