Sandra Averbuch

Sandy was born on August 7th, 1944 in Nashville, Tennessee and remained a lifelong resident. She graduated from Peabody Demonstration School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Michigan. In later years, she received a Masters of Social Work from Tennessee State University.

Sandy married on July 3rd, 1966 in Nashville, Tennessee and joined her husband, Larry Averbuch, while he practiced as a dentist in the Army in Savannah, Tennessee and then Panama. She raised her children, Cynthia, Samuel and Jonathan, then pursued her social work career at Family and Children Services of Tennessee and Gilda’s Club.

Sandy was deeply committed to Jewish life. She immersed herself in Jewish education and dedicated herself to service and leadership in Jewish organizations including West End Synagogue, Jewish Federation of Nashville and Akiva School. She served as President of Jewish Federation and Akiva School, and Chaired the Jewish Foundation committee. She was the first recipient of the Jewish Federation’s highest honor, the President’s Award in 2012.

Sandy will be missed by her family and friends. They will lovingly remember her love of shopping, painting, reading, volunteering and spending time with her grandchildren. The community will remember Sandy’s strong values and commitment to living a Jewish life. She will be missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jonathan and her parents Sidney and Elizabeth Rosenblum. Sandy is survived by Larry Averbuch, her beloved husband of 50 years; brother, Jerry Rosenblum (Ellen Sherberg) of St. Louis, Missouri; brother in law, Jerry Averbuch (Arlene); sister in law, Shirley Zeitlin of Nashville, TN; son, Sam Averbuch (Jessica) of Nashville, Tennessee and daughter, Cynthia Albin (Seth) of St. Louis, Missouri. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Toby and Dustin Averbuch; Sydney and Ethan Albin.

Services will be held on Sunday, November 6th at 2pm at The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom, at 5015 Harding Pike in Nashville. A graveside service at West End cemetery will follow. The pallbearers will include all of her nieces and nephews.

Donations in Sandy’s memory may be made to Jonathan Averbuch’s fund at the Jewish Federation of Nashville, 801 Percy Warner Boulevard Nashville, TN 37205, or Gilda’s Club, 1707 Division Street Nashville, TN 37203.