Obituary: Geraldine Friedman Ashkenazie

Geraldine (Jerre) Friedman Ashkenazie passed away on Sunday, Jan. 23.

She was born Feb. 10, 1926, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Edward and Minnie Sobel (OBM). She grew up in the Midwest with two loving sisters, Jean and Anita (OBM). She married Isadore (Sonny) Friedman and moved to Atlanta as a young bride.

In 1960, she went to work at Ahavath Achim synagogue on 10th Street. She worked at AA for 39 years, starting as a part-time bookkeeper, and retired as the Executive Director.

She was one of the first women to break the glass ceiling as an executive director of a major U.S . synagogue. She was an accomplished and highly respected professional.

She was married to Saul Ashkenazie (OBM) for 11 years. She retired in 1999 and enjoyed life, traveling with her special companion, Kurt Homburger (OBM). She loved to play mahjong and colored over 100 coloring books. She is survived by her daughters Eileen Yerlow (Richard OBM) and Ellen Goldstein (Shelton) of Charlotte, N.C. She had four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.