Frida Jacobson

1933 - 2025

On Monday, March 24, 2025, FRIDA JACOBSON, a Holocaust survivor whose life embodied resilience, compassion and love, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, at the age of 91. Born in Belgium on August 31, 1933, Frida's childhood was irrevocably shaped by the horrors of World War II. Forced into hiding, she found refuge in a convent in Brussels and later with kind strangers on farms in the Ardennes. These experiences, though harrowing, instilled in her a profound appreciation for humanity and a lifelong commitment to advocating for peace and tolerance. After the war, Frida rebuilt her life in the Congo, where she raised five children and managed a chain of department stores. Widowed at just 37, she relocated to the United States in 1978, settling in Washington, DC. There, she wrote a new chapter filled with love, purpose, and a deep dedication to community. She built a new life with Jay Finkel, her beloved partner for over 25 years; their time together brought her immense joy until his passing in July 2023. In the U.S., Frida balanced business pursuits with philanthropic activities, including volunteer work at the St. Albans Church Opportunity Shop. She also shared her Holocaust story with community groups, ensuring her life lessons would not be forgotten. Her eloquence and grace in recounting her experiences served as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Frida's later years were devoted to combating anti-Semitism and fostering understanding among diverse communities. Her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering belief in love's transformative power touched all who knew her. She is survived by her five children: Patrick Menache, Annick Nemirovsky (Gary), Linda Menache, Daniele Menache (Russell Graham), and Carine Menache; her stepchild: Jean Finkel; her seven grandchildren: Solly, Julia (Gilles), Julian (Ashley), Zach, Tatiana, Michael, and Rebecca; two great-grandchildren: Ava and Jeremy; and countless friends whose lives she touched with her ever present love and concern. Frida Jacobson's extraordinary life reminds us of the enduring power of kindness, justice, and the human spirit. May her memory be a blessing, and may her story continue to inspire future generations. Funeral services will be held on Thursday March 27, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Congregation Beth El of Mongomery County, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, with interment following at Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park, 14321 Comus Rd, Clarksburg, MD. In lieu of flowers, thank you for honoring the memory of Frida Jacobson with a gift in support of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Frida was deeply devoted to Holocaust memory. https://donate.ushmm.org/5LM4_Ez9g0OhonzhxSp0bA2. Arrangements entrusted to TORCHINSKY HEBREW FUNERAL HOME, 254 Carroll Street NW, Washington, DC 20012, 202-541-1001