Michael Lieb Jeser, z”l, passed away July 24, 2021. He was born Jan. 28, 1976.
The Jeser family has lost its king, its hero.
On Shabbat Va’etchanan Michael lost his four-year battle with Esophageal Cancer.
He leaves his much loved and adored wife, his Malka, Laura; and the 4-year-old light of his life, Eleanore. He will be greatly missed by his brothers, his partners-in-crime, Marc and Dave, his sisters-in-law Elizabeth and Lisa, and his 14 nephews and nieces. His parents, Faye and Paul, will never fully recover from losing their baby, their hero and their most special mensch.
From a very young age, Michael had a special relationship with Judaism and Israel. His very first trip (of many) to Israel was when he was minus two months old (when Faye was seven months pregnant). He was a graduate of the JCC pre-school in Orlando and elementary school at the Moriah School in Englewood (NJ). During High School (Dwight Englewood) he participated on the March of the Living, traveling to Poland and then to Israel.
After graduating from the University of Arizona, he spent a year in Israel on Project OTZMA, where he taught English and led afterschool programs in immigrant neighborhood schools in Shar Hanegev. In 2004 he received double master’s degrees from USC (Social Work) and HUC (Jewish Communal Service).
As a member of the Jewish Communal Service Michael’s professional experience included being part of the staff at the Metrowest Jewish Community Center & Camp Deeny Riback (NJ), Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston, and the Jewish Community Center at Milken (LA). He was the highly successful and greatly respected Director of the Real Estate & Construction Division and Director, Geller Leadership Project for the LA Jewish Federation. Michael was the Executive Director of USC Hillel and the Jewish World Watch. In 2015 Michael was appointed Director of Annual Campaign and the Life and Legacy program for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland (OR). For the past three years, Michael has been the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater San Diego.
The love for Michael has shown itself in many ways. The support given to him by the SD Federation’s leadership and staff has been beyond any expectations. When Michael decided to run a GoFundMe campaign to provide support for Laura and Eleanore, over 1,400 people responded! There have been over 1,000 personal emails and comments on the many Facebook streams which announced his passing. As one close family friend wrote, ‘there are more tears than words.’ As his cousin from Israel wrote, ‘Michael, who gave you permission to leave?’
One of Michael’s ‘happy places’ was Camp Tevya (NH) where he attended from an early age through college when he was appointed Boy’s Head Counselor. His other ‘happy places’ included rooting for the Jets and Celtics, going to Disneyland, whale and eagle watching, going to the movie theater and eating popcorn, drinking with his brothers and close friends, and, most of all, sitting on the couch with Laura and Eleanore watching his favorite TV shows and movies.
The family has requested that donations in Michael’s memory be given to either the Jewish Federation of San Diego (in support of the Michael Jeser Outstanding Jewish Professional Award) https://www.jewishinsandiego.org/, or Camp Tevya https://www.camptevya.org/support-camp/
May Michael’s memory forever be a blessing.
LEV KHODOROVSKIY
Lev Khodorovskiy, z”l , passed away on July 23, 2021, at the age of 93. Lev is survived by sons, Mikhail Khodorovskiy (Victoria) and Alexander Khodorovskiy; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was a member of Congregation Neveh Shalom.
DAVID ZALTSMAN
David (Dima) Zaltsman, z”l, died July 14, 2021, after complications from liver disease, at the age of 64. He was a caring husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Liliya Zaltsman; children, Rimma and Tyler Richardson, Janet Zaltsman; and grandson, Ethan Richardson.
David was born in Riga, Latvia, Oct. 17, 1956, to Golda and Josef Zaltsman. He was an only child who enjoyed school and spending summers at the Baltic Sea in Jurmala. After graduating high school, David went on to Riga Technical Institute, where he got his degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in computer science. In 1983, he married Liliya and a short year later, their first daughter, Rimma, was born.
In 1992, David, along with his family, made the difficult decision to immigrate to Portland for better opportunities. In 1995, his second daughter, Janet, joined the family.
David spent the last 25 years working as a Tooling Design Engineer at Oregon Tool, where his colleagues knew him to be passionate, smart and charismatic. He described his work as a “hobby” and found purpose in it.
David brought a smile and sense of humor to everyone he encountered and loved celebrating events, big and small. He had a passion for travel and went on many memorable trips with his family. David was a master handyman around the house. He also gave back to the community by helping other Russian immigrants and volunteering at his synagogue, Congregation Neveh Shalom.
Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, David managed his illness with strength – and even humor. Donations in David’s honor may be made to Portland’s Jewish Family & Child Service (jfcs-portland.org).