Esther P. Mordechai

Esther Mordechai passed away peacefully on February 20, 2013 at age of 93 at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington in Rockville, MD. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 24th at 2pm at the Greensboro Hebrew Cemetery on High Point Road with Rabbi Eliezer Havivi officiating.

Esther lived in Greensboro for over 50 years immigrating to the United States from Ioannina, Greece with her husband, Elias, and two daughters in 1951. She was a member of Beth David Synagogue and had many friends in the Jewish congregation, the Greek community in Greensboro and in the Sunset Hills neighborhood where she took her legendary 2 mile walk every day.

Esther was a Holocaust survivor, imprisoned in Auschwitz for 18 months during WWII. Although it brought back painful memories, she recognized the importance of telling her story as a tribute to those who were killed and as lesson for future generations. She was one of the first Holocaust survivors to be videotaped by the Steven Speilberg Foundation and was frequently invited to speak at schools in the area.

Esther is survived by her daughters, Evelyn Mordechai and Anny Hall, and granddaughter, Emily Hall.

Donations can be made to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund through the Beth David Synagogue, 804 Winview Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410.