Ben-Ami Kadish

Ben-Ami Kadish, 88, of Monroe Township died July 16, 2012. He was born in the United States and grew up in Petach Tikvah in pre-state Israel. He lived in Boston after college and Passaic before moving to Monroe 17 years ago.

At age 10 he joined the Maccabi Organization, which later became the Hagana. He volunteered and was inducted into the British Army at 18. During World War II he served on the front lines of the Royal Signal Corps. His unit, composed exclusively of Jewish soldiers and officers, was the first to enter Damascus and was later stationed in and around Baghdad and Basra, Iraq. When the United States entered the war he transferred to the U.S. Army Air Force because of his American citizenship. His assignments included stints as an electrician in Abadan, the Lend Lease port on the Persian Gulf; then to Cairo; and finally to Dakar in West Africa. He was honorably discharged as a private first class.

Mr. Kadish worked at Picatinny Arsenal, receiving numerous awards for innovation in designing unique mechanical and electrical solutions for the government.

He graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Get New Jersey Jewish News's Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

He was an active participant in his synagogue and the Y. He was men’s club president of the Clifton Jewish Center and ritual chairman of Temple Beth Shalom in Clifton. In Monroe, he was involved with Jewish War Veterans, serving as commander of JWV Post 609. He was active in B’nai B’rith and volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program at Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County. He was also involved with the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and was honored by them and Israel Bonds. He was a member of Congregation Beit Shalom in Monroe and was an associate member of Hadassah. At the Ponds retirement community, he and his wife started the Yiddish Club, the Rondek Tish (roundtable discussion group), and a bridge club. He also conducted mourners’ minyanim.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris; two sons; and a grandchild.

Services were held July 17 with arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick.