Obituary of Sadie Schneider

SADIE SCHNEIDER 1918-2011 It is hard to capsulate the life and accomplishments of Sadie Schneider, a lifelong resident of Schenectady, born on June 1, 1918 and died peacefully on September 16,2011 in the presence of her children. Sadie was the oldest of four children of Jennie and Morris Flax. She married her loving husband Fred in 1946. She had three children, Ruth Schneider Knox, Stanley and Susan Schneider and Diane Schneider and her partner Paula Herrington and two grandchildren Alexandra Schneider and Michael Schneider. A graduate of New York State Teachers College in Albany with a master's degree in guidance, she worked as an English teacher and a guidance counselor in the Schenectady and Guilderland school systems. She was also the first activities director at the Schenectady Jewish Community Center, having previously served as Sunday school teacher, camp counselor and later camp director. Sadie was an activist from an early age. In high school, she was editor of the Yearbook and the school newspaper. In college, as President of the International Relations Club, she tried to fight apathy toward World War II prior to Pearl Harbor. In the Schenectady schools, she was one of the organizers of a Youth for Democracy program designed to bring young adults more actively into community life. She had the privilege of introducing Eleanor Roosevelt as a guest speaker. She was a member of the Human Rights Commission for 17 years served as chair of Freedom Forum and was involved in many community and interfaith activities. She maintained leadership positions with the Women's Division of the Jewish Federation, Schenectady Girls Club, Hadassah, AAUW, Schenectady Museum, the Jewish Community Center, Carver Center and Capital District Personal & Guidance Association. She was chairperson of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Network of the Human Services Planning Council. She was actively involved with Interfaith Ministries and the Schenectady Historical Society. Upon her retirement, Sadie put her lifelong activist persona to use in the Jewish Community. She conducted leadership training for the Jewish Community Center, Hadassah, and the Federation. Having already served as chair of the Adult Education Committee and the Membership Committee at Agudat Achim and the co-chairmanship of the 100th anniversary year long celebration to her ongoing responsibilities. Most notably, Sadie was instrumental in the rebirth of the synagogue sisterhood as Women's network in the early 1980's. She remained active as a prime mover in its Rosh Hodesh group until her death. She was a leader, teacher, mentor, friend, counselor to countless people in the Capital District. Whenever there was problem that needed fixing, Sadie tried to find a way to solve it. And her legacy is best evidenced by the success of the causes she championed. In 1988, the Schenectady County Legislature honored her for her humanitarian and unselfish contribution to the Youth and all citizen of the community. She was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her parents, and her brothers Leo and Art. She is survived by her brother Jack, her sister in laws Rose, Trudy and Trudy Flax, her children and grandchildren, as well her nieces and nephews Bruce, Carol, Joshua and Daniel Flax, Steven, Bonnie, Jane and Carolyn Flax, Andrea and David Flax Debbie, Steve and Rachel Kaflowitz and Donna Flax and her partner, Catherine Russo, Margaret Schneider and her partner Susan Rockwood and Kal and Esther Schneider. Services at Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street Schenectady, NY on Sunday September 18, 2011 at 10:00am. Interment will follow in the Agudat Achim Cemetery in Rotterdam, NY. The period of mourning will be observed at the Schneider residence, 1170 Oxford Place in Schenectady, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings with a minyan service each of those evenings at 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made either the Sadie Schneider Rosh Hodesh Fund at Congregation Agudat Achim, Schenectady New York or to Congregation Agudat Achim, Schenectady, New York.