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Bernice Zussman, 1926-2020

There is a very select number of women who somehow emerge as matriarchs in our community. No one elects them; they themselves do not hold themselves out in this way. It just becomes clear — the dignity, the authority, the kindness, the steady dedication. One might even say: a sense of aristocracy. Bernice Zussman, who died this week, was the reigning matriarch in our community.

She was one of the original founders of the the original Jewish day school in Denver, 69 years ago; and from there, she did not stop. It was a steady, consistent, modest, natural dedication that manifested itself in countless meetings in her home, countless other meetings attended, countless duties undertaken, large and small, and along the way undeviating friendliness and welcoming.

That’s it. It was not just her labors on behalf of many Jewish causes that set Bernice Zussman apart; it was the spirit. For some people the community activism outweighs or even undermines the simple kindnesses that should always be part of life. What one remembers of Mrs. Zussman was her openness to others, the way her activity on behalf of the community was equally an opportunity to enwrap herself in other people’s lives with a bit of humor, a piece of wisdom, a smile, an invitation for a meal, a compliment, a word of appreciation. For Mrs. Zussman, life was seamless.

A strong strand within the seamless threads of her life was family. It is easy to observe that she left behind scores of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but the numbers, while speaking loudly, can also obscure the individuated care, concern and wisdom that she put into each of her children and their offspring. So many other people, not her family, felt this same care, concern and wisdom.

It is impossible to recount the life of Bernice Zussman without including her husband, the late Ben Zussman. Were they a pair! A partnership. At home and out of the home. In their interests and in their character traits. Perhaps above all, in their embrace of life. To be around Mr. and Mrs. Zussman was to be quietly swept up into not just the excitement of a project or an idea or an act of kindness, but of life itself.

The city is not the same when one of its matriarchs departs. As Rashi famously comments on the opening verse of the Torah portion the week after this, when Jacob departed from the city, his departure left an impression. When he departed from the city, says Rashi, its glory departed, its splendor departed, its beauty departed. In the case of Bernice Zussman, however, these qualities were evident — more than evident — while she was with us and very much a part of the city. Even so, her departure leaves a deep impression.

May her memory be a blessing. May her family be comforted. May her community be comforted.

Copyright © 2020 by the Intermountain Jewish News




One thought on “Bernice Zussman, 1926-2020

  1. Nathan Zussman

    Truly touching words… I deeply appreciate the time and efforts you went through to honor our mother’s memory in ways that would certainly have made her blush, but help confirm for us, her children, just how lucky we were. Mom read your newspaper religiously every Friday night on her den sofa. Thank you! Nathan

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