In loving memory of

Miriam

1954 - 2020

Miriam G. Berger

In Loving Memory

1954 - 2020

Obituary of Miriam G. Berger

Miriam G. Berger

July 17, 2020 at age 66. Predeceased by her husband, Yaakov "Jay" Berger; father, George Gross; and brother, Martin Fettman. She is survived by her loving parents, Annette and Cantor Leo Fettman; devoted siblings, Aviva (Rabbi Joel) Schwab, Renana Gross (Steve Kristoff), Jack (Esther Malka) Fettman, and Rachel (Haim) Heifetz; nieces & nephews, Yoni, Ami, Yosef, Chavi, Bracha Freidel, Nissin, Atara, Yehudis, and Tehila Bracha; her beloved aide, Linda Bolton; and numerous great-nieces & nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as Yaakov's family and many dear friends.

Miriam was born in Chicago on May 1, 1954, and spent her early life in Whiting, Indiana. Her father George Gross passed away on February 14, 1961, leaving her mother Annette with 4 young daughters. Annette married Cantor Leo Fettman on December 9, 1962, at which point Miriam acquired two brothers, Martin and Jack. In 1963, the family of 8 moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Leo became cantor of Beth Israel Center. After graduating from high school, Miriam spent 2 years studying at a Chabad seminary in France. She returned to Brooklyn, where she continued her studies. When she married her bashert, Yaakov Berger, she moved with him to Rochester, New York, where she became a welcoming fixture in the community, especially when she hosted yeshiva students, new families, and friends at Shabbat and Yom Tov meals. Every Rosh Hashanah, she baked challah for the entire yeshiva student body. When Yaakov became ill and needed care in a nursing home, she volunteered in the home and remained a devoted presence for him until his passing. Her commitment to chesed - to helping others - was epitomized by her years of service to the chevre kadisha, where she did the selfless work of preparing the deceased for burial. She worked in a variety of jobs, but her favorite was in the library, where she had easy access to the books that she loved. In addition to reading, Miriam adored young children, punny jokes, everything about Judaism, family, and community. She was a lifelong learner, always eager to speak about what she had learned in the many classes on Jewish subjects she participated in.

Her family from around the world and many friends from the Rochester community will miss her humor, caring, earnestness, wisdom, and warmth. Tehi zichra baruch - may her memory be for a blessing.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, July 20, 2020, at 10 AM in the Monroe Section of Beth Hakneses Hachodesh section of Britton Road Cemetery. All in attendance are asked to please wear masks and observe social distancing throughout the service. We invite everyone who wishes to view the service via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82047049548