Julian Feldman of Golden, Colo., and Bethesda, Md., who worked for more than 40 years in leadership positions in the Jewish community, passed away Jan. 6, 2010. He was 89.
Rabbis Bruce Lustig and Marla Feldman (Mr. Feldmans niece) officiated at the service, which was held at Washington Hebrew Congregation. Interment followed at Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, Md.
Mr. Feldman served as executive director of Washington Hebrew Congregation for 31 years and executive director of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington (JHSGW) for four years.
He also assisted the Reform movement on the national and international levels.
His greatest strength was his intermixing of financial savvy with a deep commitment to people, the family said. He was a true mensch always ready with a chuckle and warm handshake or embrace.
The family said that Mr. Feldmans love of Judaism sustained him during his last year-and-a-half in Golden, where he helped form a small group at Golden Pond Retirement Community with the help of JFS, to celebrate Shabbat and holidays together.
A native New Yorker, Mr. Feldman was in the first graduating class at Queens College and worked as a reporter for The New York Times. The WW II veteran specialized in translating French and German for troops.
Mr. Feldman came to Washington in 1950 to work for the Department of Agriculture.
In 1954, he left the government to take the helm of Washington Hebrew Congregation, thus beginning his long involvement with the Jewish community.
In 1970, Mr. Feldman worked for the URJ (then UAHC) in New York to advance progressive Judaism in Israel.
He also co-wrote the definitive book on temple management with Henry Fruehoff and Myron Schoen.
An adjunct professor at American University in Washington, Mr. Feldman sat on the JHSGW board for many years before becoming executive director, 1990-1994.
He and Nan, his wife of 67 years, moved to Boulder last year to be closer to their daughter. They belonged to Har HaShem.
Mr. Feldman is survived by his wife Annette C. Feldman of Boulder; children Reid (Claudia) Feldman of Paris, Lauren (Joe) Stewart of Golden and Daniel (Jo) Feldman of Paonia, Colo.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings Thelma, Devera and Bruce.
