Obituary of Judith Wax

- Judith Littman Wax, a longtime resident of Troy, NY, died at age 91 on September 12 in Raleigh, NC, where she relocated in 2009. A lifelong member of Temple Beth El in Troy, Judith was an active Board Member, Sisterhood President, Hebrew School teacher. She led and served on numerous committees, coordinated events at synagogue and in the Jewish community, where for over 50 years, she participated in Torah study, charitable events and other programs. Judith was a fierce advocate for the State of Israel as a Jewish homeland, and was involved in Hadassah, an international Jewish women’s organization, where she served as chair of Program and Education committees, among other roles. Her life, interests and civic activities were shaped by Jewish values and teachings. The only child of Lena and Benjamin Littman, Judith was born in Brooklyn, and surrounded by an extended family of numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated from the Yeshiva of Flatbush, excelling in both Jewish and secular studies. Even as a young student, however, Judith chafed at Orthodox Judaism’s restrictions on girls and women; when she was refused an award for being the top Torah scholar in her class because of her gender, she shifted her Jewish practice towards Conservative Judaism, where she became a lifelong advocate for women’s participation, often reciting Torah, teaching, and developing programs for Jewish learning. During the Great Depression, Judith’s family moved to Hoosick Falls, New York, where her father found work in a family business. Despite the culture shock of living in a small rural town after having grown up in Brooklyn, Judith graduated first in her class from Hoosick Falls High School, then in 1944, graduated from Russell Sage College, where she was a resident of French House and majored in English Literature. Judith valued books, learning, and the arts, particularly opera. Her daughters remember how she would recite the poetry of Milton and the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales--in Middle English dialect. Together with her late husband, Oscar Wax, she read to them from many sources, and arranged family outings to art museums, theater, and concerts. In college during WWII, Judith dated Oscar Wax, whom she married in 1947. While he finished Army service, she worked at the Office of War Information in New York . After their marriage, they relocated to Troy, where Oscar helped Judith’s father to open a garment manufacturing business. The couple had three daughters, Tovah (nee Teena), Amy and Lisa, all of whom were raised in Troy, and graduated from Troy High School. Judith stayed at home to raise her daughters until they were in school, then returned to Russell Sage, graduating in 1966 with a Masters degree in Education. She then worked primarily as a technical writer/consultant for the New York State Education and Transportation Departments, while continuing to be active in the larger community. For example, in the 1960’s, she was a member of the Panel of American Women, a multi-racial, multi-ecumenical group formed to educate the public about diverse perspectives and cultures in American society through first-person experiences. She regularly welcomed a wide range of guests to her home to share the Sabbath and Jewish festivals, where, as fondly remembered by friends, her daughters, and later, spouses and grandchildren) she served sumptuous meals on a beautifully set table while involved in lively and witty conversation. She expected much of herself, and accomplished these myriad tasks and activities with gusto, at a time when women were emerging out of traditional roles at home and into the workplace, trying to figure out how to “have it all.” Sharing with her late husband, Oscar, an enthusiasm for learning and exploration, Judith remained active in retirement, during which the couple divided their time between homes in Troy and Boca Raton, Florida, attended many Elderhostel programs across the U.S., and traveled to Israel, Europe and the Caribbean. Judith is survived by her daughters, Tovah Wax (LucjanMordzak) of Raleigh, Amy Wax (Roger Cohen) of Philadelphia, and Lisa Breit (Stephen) of Boston, and five grandchildren. Services at the Beth El Cemetery on Belle Avenue in Troy on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at 11:30am In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Judith Littman Wax and Oscar Wax Scholarship Fund, Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, 84 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12203-5306. Attn: Deborah Goldste