Meira Zedek

Meira Ellen Zedek, 100, of Brookline, Mass., passed away on September 22, 2026

Meira was predeceased by her husband, Mishael Zedek. She is survived by her daughter, Thalia Zedek and her partner Heather Kapplow; and her son, Dan Zedek, his wife Lynn Johnson and grandchildren, Rosa Zedek and Jacob Zedek.

Meira was born Ellen Oschinsky in Cologne, Germany and raised in Wiesbaden. In 1934, shortly after Hitler came to power, the family emigrated to Israel, at the time the British colony of Palestine. She met her eventual husband, Misha Zedek, in fifth grade, though they didn’t start dating until after high school. When the Israeli War of Independence started in 1948, Meira joined the country’s new army. After the ceasefire, she moved to Jerusalem and studied psychology at Hebrew University where Misha was studying Mathematics. It was a time of great change, and like many others, she dropped her European birth name and took on a Hebrew name — Meira.

Misha was offered a fellowship into the PhD program in Mathematics at Harvard and Meira received a fellowship to study for a PhD in Psychology at Boston University, joining him in Boston in 1954. They were married in 1956 and moved to Berkeley, California where Meira did her residency.

In 1958 they moved to Washington, DC where they lived happily for many years. Meira worked as a clinical psychologist, eventually becoming director of the P Street Clinic and opening a private practice. They enjoyed concerts, museums, walks in the city’s many parks and many close friendships. They were also avid travelers, exploring cities and parks around the US as well as Europe and Asia. During Misha’s sabbaticals, they lived in London, Paris, and Jerusalem.

In 2010, they moved to Brookline to be nearer to their children and grandchildren.

A service will be held on Friday, September 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Ave., Brookline. Shiva will be held on Saturday, September 26; contact the family for details.