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Alex Morse Critically Injured

Alex Morse, the son of Jerry and Bea Morse, was an innocent passerby when an argument between two groups occurred while walking with his girl friend, Rebecca Newbill, in Northwest Washington, DC January 1. A stray bullet hit Alex in the head. At last report, Alex is in critical condition in the hospital.

Alex’s friends are conducting a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds to cover medical expenses.

News Story

https://www.nhl.com/capitals/news/caps-community-rallies-behind-lifelong-fan/c-303554342

Alan Mintz – RIP

Our classmate Alan Mintz, a professor of Hebrew literature at the Jewish Theological Seminary died in May 20, 2017.

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Click here for a Newspaper Article.

The following information was taken from http://www.jta.org/2017/05/22/news-opinion/alan-mintz-hebrew-literature-scholar-and-one-time-student-activist-is-dead-at-69

The cause was a heart attack, which he suffered Saturday night after swimming at a gym near his home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He was 69.

As a member of the JTS faculty, which he joined in 2001, and before that at Brandeis University and the University of Maryland, Mintz focused on Hebrew literature in America, the Hebrew writer and Nobel laureate S. Y. Agnon and responses to the Holocaust and other historical tragedies in Hebrew literature and popular culture.

In an appreciation for the online Judaic studies forum H-Judaic, chair Jonathan Sarna, a professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis, described Mintz as “one of the preeminent scholars of Hebrew Literature of our time.”

In 1967, as a student at Columbia College, he was a founder of Response Magazine, which called itself “A Contemporary Jewish Review.” In the Fall 1968 issue he chided the Jewish establishment, and his fellow Jewish students, for not speaking out against the war in Vietnam. He urged “good Jewish boys” like him to work within their synagogues and communal institutions and demand that they “no longer separate their personal morality and community ethics from larger political realities.”

In 1971, Mintz and Jim Sleeper co-edited an anthology of writings mostly drawn from Response called “The New Jews.” In an appreciation of the book written on its 40th anniversary, Brandeis professor Yehudah Mirsky described how Mintz and his fellow student activists “sought to give voice to a small cohort at once deeply alienated from organized Jewish life and deeply attached to Jewish history and culture.” Many of the young leaders of the movement went on to careers in Jewish academia and to lead the institutions they once derided.

Raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mintz earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and his doctorate, at Columbia University while also studying at JTS.

Mintz also was a co-founder of the New York Havurah, or fellowship, one of the earliest examples in a movement of independent congregations that eschewed typical synagogue hierarchies and promoted spirituality and social activism. In 1981, he co-founded Prooftexts: A Journal of Jewish Literary History with David Roskies, a professor of Jewish literature at JTS.

Mintz’s many books include “Popular Culture and the Shaping of Holocaust Memory in America” (2001), “Translating Israel: Contemporary Hebrew Literature and Its Reception in America” (2001) and “Reading Hebrew Literature” (editor, 2002).

Mintz was a recipient of multiple awards for his scholarship and was recently made a fellow at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies.

In announcing his death, JTS wrote of Mintz: “A profoundly insightful writer, he expanded our understanding and appreciation of the Hebrew language, modern Hebrew literature, and the Jewish life they illuminate. He was an exceptional teacher, an esteemed colleague, and a good friend.”

Mintz is survived by his wife, Susanna, and their daughters, Amira and Avital.

Please thank Alan Cooper and Mike Backer for notifying the webmaster, Ben Bachrach of Alan Mintz passing.

Mike Butkewich – RIP

mButkewich1965bMichael S. Butkewich, 69, of Worcester died suddenly Thursday, February 16, 2017 at home. He leaves his two sisters Christine A. Butkewich and Susan L. Martin, a brother in-law Steven J. Martin and a son Stefan N. Javeret. He was predeceased by his mother Anna T. Butkewich with whom he lived and took care of for many years.

Michael was a retired Special Education Teacher at Burncoat Middle School, a job he truly loved. He was a lifelong educator and had also taught at Woodard Day School, Mill Swan and Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, MA. Michael had also served on the board of Phi Delta Kappa, a group that supported educators.

Michael graduated from Classical High School, had a BS from Ottawa University in Kansas and an MS in Education from Westfield State University.

He was an athlete in his younger years being active in football, track and was a champion at shot put. Michael enjoyed fishing, good food and long conversations. “Mickey” as his family called him, will be missed for his passion for educating and his willingness to always help others.

Calling hours will be held at the Henry-Dirsa Funeral Service at 33 Ward Street in Worcester on Friday March 3rd from 6-8 pm.

Joseph Clisham – RIP

579531-56251c43e3545-shrink-x180Clinton-Joseph P. Clisham, 86, a lifelong resident of Clinton, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 16, 2015 at Umass Medical Center in Worcester surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Marilyn A. (Rich) Clisham, who died in 2014. He is survived by his seven children; daughter, Mary Jo Bates & Richard Montuori of Chelmsford; Elizabeth Vetras & husband Thomas of Clinton; Patrick J. Clisham & wife Suzanne of Berlin; Ann Perla of Leominster; Michael A. Clisham & wife Ellen of Milton; Joseph J. Clisham & wife Diana of Stow; Kathryn Clisham & companion Steve Frias of Clinton. He leaves 12 grandchildren, Jessica Gilchrest & her husband Michael, Jeffrey Bates & his wife Kristen, Isabella & Zachary Perla, Patrick, Aidan, Cameron, Cal, Maggie, Ella, Olivia & Tess Clisham; 3 great-grandchildren, Reagan and David Gilchrest, and Otis Bates; nieces, Moira Donohue, Lisa Dion, and Tricia Thorogood, and their families, numerous cousins, & many dear and loyal friends. He is preceded in death by his siblings, Anne Heinold, and Thomas “Buddy” Clisham.

Joe was born at his home on Chestnut Street in Clinton to the late Patrick & Annie (Gahagan) Clisham. He attended Holy Rosary Elementary School, graduated from the Clinton High School, Class of 1947, and obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State College and Master’s degree in Education from Boston University. Joe worked for the FBI in Washington D.C. before proudly serving our nation in the US Army during the Korean War. He returned home and began his 40-year career in education as a Math teacher with Classical High School in Worcester and later taught at Doherty High School until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Clisham also enjoyed part-time summer employment with the US Postal Service in Clinton. A man of great faith, he was a lector and life member of St. John the Guardian of Our Lady Parish in Clinton. Joe held membership with the MA Teachers Association and enjoyed many years at Orchard Hills Athletic Club. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Funeral services are to be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 from the Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home, 176 Water St., Clinton, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11AM in St. John the Evangelist Church, 80 Union St., Clinton. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Lancaster. Calling hours will be held from 4 until 7PM on Monday, October 19, 2015 in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Joseph Clisham to either, St. John the Evangelist Church-Restoration Fund, c/o 149 Chestnut St., Clinton, MA 01510, or to Clinton Hospital Foundation-201 Highland St., Clinton, MA 01510. Online condolences may be placed at www.philbincomeaufh.com