Herman F. "Hayim" Stopak

1944 - 2024

Herman "Hayim" Stopak, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024, at age 97. Husband of Malka Stopak, who survives him, they were inseparable partners for 75+ years.

Born in Baltimore, raised in a Yiddish speaking, Labor Zionist household, Hayim was the oldest of four children born to Abraham and Miriam Stopak. In 1944, he enlisted in the army and was sent to Berlin, where he worked in the Military Government. He shared many stories of befriending Jewish refugees there. After the army, he became a leader in the Labor Zionist, Habonim Youth Movement and directed the summer camp in Winnipeg, Canada. There he fell in love at first sight with Malka, a counselor who initially wanted nothing to do with the foreign Yank. They married in New York in 1948. He continued to have leadership positions in Habonim including as head of Camp Moshava (summer camp in Maryland). Hayim helped develop "Habonim Workshop", sending high school graduates to work and live on kibbutzim in Israel, one of the first programs of its kind.

In 1951 Hayim, Malka and their baby son David, moved to Israel to settle in kibbutz Gesher Haziv. Hayim managed the citrus orchards until 1956 when he returned to Baltimore to assist his ailing father. After settling in DC, his daughter Tali was born. Hayim served as a partner in his father's business, taking it over on his father's death. Hayim and Malka together expanded the business from selling advertising on matchbooks to other products. They founded their own company in the promotional products industry, Horizons Unlimited, in 1971. Hayim and Malka moved to Kemp Mill, living there for 60 years until they moved to Ring House. There they have loved the music programs, the drum circle, and the Yiddish and Hebrew Groups.

Hayim is survived by his brother Aaron Stopak (Sharon Stopak); his daughter, Tali Stopak-Mathis (Bob Mathis); his son David Stopak (Shelley Winkler); and grandchildren Miriam Mathis (Phil Fiore), Ari Mathis (Karen Cohen), Eli Stopak and Sarah Stopak.

Memorial services: Ring House Social Hall, 1801 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 2085 on April 7, 2024 at 10 a.m., with interment to follow at Judean Memorial Gardens, 16225 Batchellors Forest Rd., Olney, MD 20832 at approximately 11:30 a.m. Shiva minyans: Ring House Social Hall on April 7 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., April 8 at 7 p.m., April 9 at 7 p.m.