Confronting Hunger Together – A Linda Lerman Memorial Tzedek Shabbaton – Honoring a Life of Integrity

Inaugural Linda Lerman Memorial Tzedek Shabbaton Brings Community Together
in Service and Learning

Congregation Beth El of Norwalk proudly hosted the inaugural Linda Lerman Memorial
Tzedek Shabbaton: Confronting Hunger Together from May 29–31, a meaningful
weekend dedicated to honoring the life, values, and legacy of Linda Lerman z’l.

Throughout the weekend, congregants and community members gathered for learning,
reflection, worship, and hands-on acts of service—activities that embodied Linda’s
lifelong commitment to Jewish learning, community leadership, and social justice. We
thank our partners and presenters from MAZON: The Jewish Response to Hunger, CT
Foodshare, Elayne & James Schoke Jewish Family Service, and Person to Person.

Born in Detroit in 1953, Linda excelled academically from an early age, earning degrees
in Jewish Studies, Library Science, Business, and Jewish History. Her professional
career included work at Hebrew Union College and Yale University, and she authored
several articles on Jewish women and libraries. Beyond her professional
accomplishments, Linda was deeply involved in synagogue life and Jewish communal
organizations, where her organizational talents, compassion, and dedication made a
lasting impact.

The Shabbaton was made especially meaningful through the participation of Linda’s
husband, Rabbi Jeffery Silberman, and children, Dina and Avi, whose
presence and support helped bring Linda’s story and spirit to life throughout the
weekend. Displayed photographs and biographical materials provided participants with
an opportunity to learn more about Linda’s remarkable life and the values she championed.

The Shabbaton featured a Shabbat dinner with guest speaker Liz Braun-Lilenfeld,
Director of Outreach at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Saturday morning
featured a talk from Stephanie Nieves, Network Relations Representative at CT
Foodshare. Over Kiddush Lunch, we learned a lot from Liz, Stephanie, and our other
panelists: Eli Schaffer, Chief Strategy Officer at Schoke Jewish Family Service and
Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person to Person.

On Sunday morning, we hosted a “Fill the Pantry” Party. All food
and grocery store gift card donations were delivered to CT State Food Pantry, a cause
beloved to Linda Lerman, of blessed memory.

Following the event, Rabbi Ita Paskind expressed gratitude to the many volunteers,
committee members, presenters, and participants whose dedication and collaboration
helped make the weekend a success. Rabbi Paskind noted that the Shabbaton was
truly a community effort and reflected the values Linda cherished. “This Shabbaton was
truly a community effort,” Rabbi Paskind shared. “We worked together for many months
to create something special in Linda’s memory, and the result was a weekend that
reflected her values and the very best of our congregation.”

As we reflect on this inaugural event, we are grateful for everyone who contributed their
time, talents, and energy. Most importantly, we are honored to continue Linda Lerman’s
legacy by bringing our community together through learning, service, and acts of
kindness.

May Linda’s memory continue to be a blessing and an inspiration to us all.