Obituary of Karen D. Zivan

September 8, 2016 at age 79. Predeceased by her parents, Louis & Marion Doner. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Seymour Zivan; devoted children, Bruce (Karen) Zivan & Debbie (Anne Vanden Belt) Zivan; adored grandchildren, Noah (Elysheva), Etan (Nili), Mickey (Dafne), Ari, Elie, Brayan, Misha & Orrin; great grandchildren, Liam, Ilan, Yonadav; brother, Alan (Donna) Doner; nephews and many dear friends. Karen was a pillar of the Rochester Jewish community. Many organizations benefitted from her leadership: ORT, Jewish Federation, Jewish Book Festival, JCC, Hillel Foundation & Temple Beth El. Karen served for a year as the executive director of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan where she had the opportunity to nurture a congregation that expanded her ideas about what it meant to live as a Jew. Karen was also a successful businesswoman. Along with her dear friend Toby Morganstein, Karen owned and operated 'Pan-Tastic', a gourmet cookware store and 'Mitzvah-Makers', a Jewish dating service, responsible for helping create many happy families. Karen was known as an advocate for the LGBT community. She and her husband Sy helped found the first Jewish support group for parents of lesbian/gay children in Rochester, advocated for the admission of lesbian and gay rabbinic students to JTS, and participated in the training of public school staff on LGBT issues. Karen's proudest accomplishments came in the countless large and small ways she contributed to the lives of her loving family and friends. She loved and was loved by all who knew her. Her memory will be a blessing. The family cannot express enough gratitude to the staff of Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center for the care Karen and her family received. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 2 PM in the Sanctuary of Temple Beth El (139 Winton Rd. S.). Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will sit Shiva at 92 Tobey Ct. in Pittsford on SATURDAY from 8:30-10 PM & SUNDAY-WEDNESDAY from 10 AM-1 PM & 3-9 PM. Donations may be made to the LGBT Giving Circle, c/o the Rochester Area Community Foundation or the Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester in Karen's memory.