Lester H. Lieberman, Jewish communal leader
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Lester H. Lieberman, Jewish communal leader

By NJJN Staff April 13, 2011, 12:00 am Edit
Lester H. Lieberman with his wife, Shirley, at the 1999 annual meeting of Daughters of Israel; their images are portrayed on a mural in the nursing home. Photo courtesy Jewish Historical Society of MetroWest
Lester H. Lieberman with his wife, Shirley, at the 1999 annual meeting of Daughters of Israel; their images are portrayed on a mural in the nursing home. Photo courtesy Jewish Historical Society of MetroWest

Lester H. Lieberman, 91, of Maplewood, a longtime leader in the MetroWest Jewish community, died April 8, 2011. Born in Newark, he resided in Short Hills for 60 years before moving to Maplewood in 2008.

Mr. Lieberman was a partner in Lieberman Brothers, a Newark accounting firm, for over 50 years and was most recently associated with Trien-Rosenberg of Chatham.

He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from New York University with a BS degree and served in the United States Army during World War II.

He was a member of the Society of Certified Public Accountants in New Jersey and New York and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

A past president and member of the board of governors of Daughters of Israel, he was also a member of the board of trustees of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, where his leadership positions included chairing Special Gifts, the Accountants Division, and Green Brook Country Club Division of the UJA of MetroWest NJ. Together with his wife, Shirley, he was a dedicated UJA supporter and a member of its Ner Tamid Society (individuals who give for 25 or more consecutive years). The couple were also members of the Lester Society and UJA supporters at the major gifts level.

A member of the board of trustees of the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metro-West, Lieberman was a steadfast supporter of State of Israel Bonds and was honored by the Jewish Theological Seminary, one of many honors he received over his lifetime.

A member of B’nai B’rith Millburn Lodge and a past master of the Columbia Lodge, he was a member of Congregation B’nai Israel in Millburn, served on its board of trustees, and was past chair of the honors committee.

Kenneth Heyman, president of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, said, “Lester was such a gentleman and fine example of a committed community contributor, leader, and volunteer…. As a member of the Lester Society, he and Shirley have set an example by creating a legacy gift to our UJA campaign that will benefit future generations.”

“I had the honor of working with Lester while serving on the board and as president of Daughters of Israel,” said UJC president Gary O. Aidekman. “Long after he was Daughters’ president he continued to be active, providing support and counsel to me and other members of the board and staff.”

In his eulogy at Lieberman’s funeral, UJC executive vice president Max Kleinman noted that “Lester was a tireless worker on behalf of the Jewish people…. He was a gentleman of the highest order and his good name will serve as a source of pride for all who knew him.”

UJC past president Murray Laulicht said, “In his quiet, unassuming way, Lester Lieberman embodied the very best traits of a Jewish leader. Lester was compassionate, visionary, practical, and persistent. Most importantly, as prescribed in Ethics of the Fathers, Lester was a true disciple of Aaron the high priest, loving peace, pursuing peace, loving people, and influencing them to live Jewishly. We have all lost a most precious friend.”

He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Shirley (Mendelson), and many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews, great-grand-nieces and -nephews, and friends.

Services were held April 11 with arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union.

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