Israel Burd, son of Bessie and Jacob, was born in Marseille, France en route to the USA on May 5, 1925. He died on March 24, 2023.
Bessie and Jacob fought then fled violent antisemitism in Czarist Russia, “pioneered” in Palestine, then moved to the USA, and found desperate want in Pittsburgh.
Friends helped Bessie and Jacob establish a home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where Israel and brothers Raanan, Ben, and sister Hannah were raised in a milieu of self-consciously working class left wing Jews.
Israel graduated Eastern District Vocational High. He served in the US Army’s liberation of France, and the Battle of the Bulge as a machine gunner in the 709th Tank Battalion.
He courted Lillian Goldberg and they married in 1946. During their 72 years of marriage Israel supported Lillian in getting a Master’s and becoming a teacher. They had a rough start with the still birth of a daughter; then the joy of raising David, Sara and Matthew in and around New York City. Israel, an electrician, was fired and blacklisted for refusing to name names of people active in left wing politics. His brothers taught him a new trade, drafting for iron shops. After more than a decade, the blacklist lifted. He became an electrician for NYCDEP, retiring in 1989 to New Paltz, NY.
Israel played tennis and enjoyed having grandchildren, then great grandchildren. When Lillian died in 2018 Israel carried on, recovering from a broken hip in the midst of COVID lock down, semi- independent into his 90s. At 97, he refused medical treatment for a cold, allowing himself to die peacefully in his home with his daughter Sara at his side.
He leaves his two brothers, three children, six grand kids and six great-grand kids to be blessed by his memory.
A Funeral Service will be held for Israel on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home, 162 South Putt Corners Rd, with Rabbi William Strongin, officiating.
Interment will follow in New Paltz Rural Cemetery.
Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home is honored to assist the family of Israel with the arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for the family of Israel by visiting www.CopelandHammerl.com
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