Helen Elena Okun

Helen Elena Okun died February 6, 2005. She was born in 1915 in Budapest, Hungary, and immigrated to New York City in 1920. Her father, Adolph Katchko was a famous cantor, composer of Jewish liturgy and teacher of cantors. Her mother was a dramatic soprano, who studied for the concert stage. Helen had one of the first Bat Mitzvah ceremonies in the U.S. Her beloved deceased husband, Cantor Morris Okun, served Temple Beth-El with distinction for close to 50 years. During that period, she was Senior Choir Director for over 40 years. Throughout her years at Temple Beth-El, she directed the junior choir, as well as the junior congregation services, taught students for Bar and Bat Mitzvah, and taught Hebrew, music, and Biblical History. She sang solos at weddings and also served as a wedding director. She presented numerous programs, both as a soloist and a director, performing cantatas and choral works for many organizations, including Hadassah, Grand Group, Beth Sholom Home, Richmond Jewish Community Center, Jewish Women's Club, Beth-El Sisterhood, and the National Women's League. The Synagogue honored her as a woman of valor and again at her retirement from teaching Hebrew School. She achieved all of this while simultaneously fulfilling the innumerable tasks and responsibilities of loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was wise, caring, loving, and giving. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Louis Belinkie; her son, Dr. Philip Okun; four grandchildren, Joel and Sherry Okun, Michael and David Belinkie; great-granddaughter, Maggie Okun. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bliley Funeral Homes' Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Ave. Interment Beth-El Cemetery.