Bernice (Gondelman) Kazis

Bernice “Sis” Kazis died peacefully on May 15 in Auburndale, MA, at 97 years of age. Bernice was born in Boston in 1924 to Hyman Gondelman and Jeannette Marcus Gondelman. Her first work experience was in her father’s store, Morton’s Ladies Specialty Shop on Causeway Street. In June 1945, Bernice graduated Goucher College. Three days later, she married her high school sweetheart, Leonard Goldstein, who had returned to the US in May 1945 after two years in a German prisoner of war camp. Their three children, Amy, Toby and Richard were born in Brookline. Lenny died at 31 years of age.

In 1954, Bernice married Rabbi Israel Kazis of Congregation Mishkan Tefila, then the largest Conservative synagogue in the region. Immersed in the life of the temple, Bernice became a committed rebbetzin, working as archivist and curator of the temple's museum, devoting a decade to building the Braille program of the New England Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and assisting in all things Mishkan Tefila. She earned a master’s degree in urban education from Simmons College and worked in the Boston Public Schools. The Rabbi and Bernice saw their family mature and grow. They enjoyed summer vacations on Cape Cod, travel in Israel and helping others both within and outside the Jewish community.

Following the retirement of her husband, the Rabbi and Bernice moved to Swampscott, MA, where Bernice became the director of Russian Resettlement for Jewish Family and Child Services of the North Shore. Under her direction, over120 volunteers helped 2000 Russians settle on the North Shore and find their way in the United States. Bernice collected the stories of these New Americans in an oral history titled Short Stories of a Long Journey, published in 2002.

Bernice was an active participant in Boston area cultural life and was a frequent attendee at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Institute of Contemporary Art and the National Center for Jewish Film. These interests and relationships sustained Bernice throughout her life.

Her final 17 years were spent as a resident of the Lasell Village community, taking courses, serving on committees and building new and deep friendships. One semester, she might take a course on Nigerian film, the next a reading of Jane Austen, a survey of contemporary art, or a dissection of American political developments.

She is survived by her children, Amy Avgar and her partner Haim Altman of Tel Aviv, Toby Vogel and Dr. Martin Ostro of Jamaica Plain, and Richard Kazis and Jill Medvedow of Brookline; her grandchildren Ariel, Inbal, Michal, Jesse, Rebecca, Noah and Sophie; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her brother Morton Gondelman.

Bernice, Sis, Mom, Bubbie: she was the beloved matriarch of her family and a leading light in her community. She was truly a woman of valor.

Funeral services will take place at Levine Chapels in Brookline on Wednesday, May18, at 1pm, masks and vaccinations required. To livestream the service, www.tinyurl.com/BerniceKazis

Donations in Bernice's memory may be made to Mazon.org.