Paula Hertzberg

Paula Hertzberg, 85, of Cedar Grove died Sept. 28, 2012. Born in Janov, Poland, and a survivor of World War II, she and her husband were partisan fighters during the war, encamped in the woods of Belarus before immigrating to Passaic in 1951.

After arriving in the United States, Paula graduated from the ORT School as a dressmaker and seamstress. In 1961, the Hertzbergs moved to Brooklyn, Conn., and became successful egg farmers.

The Hertzbergs returned to Passaic in 1968 and founded Hertz Homes, Builders & Developers. She worked as a bookkeeper alongside her husband for the next 30 years.

She was valedictorian of her high school and fluent in four languages.

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A strong supporter of Jewish causes, she was past president of the Sisterhood Women’s League of Clifton Jewish Center and a life member of Hadassah. She was actively involved in all aspects of her synagogue, including many years of support in helping Russian Jews settle in the United States. She was the recipient of several honors, including the Mathilda Schechter Woman of Valor Award and Israel Freedom Award.

Predeceased by her son Harry in 1996, she is survived by her husband of 66 years, Isaac; two sons, Joseph of Wayne and Robert of Montclair; a sister, Fanny Gonski of Morris Plains; and six grandchildren.

Services were held Sept. 30 with arrangements by Jewish Memorial Chapel, Clifton. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Barnabas Hospice Care, 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, NJ 07052.