Obituary of Barbara Newberg

BARBARA NEWBERG June 17, 1919 - October 2, 2013 South Fallsburg, New York Barbara Newberg passed away with her family by her side on October 2, 2013. She was born in New York City and raised by her parents Max and Yvette Bleach. Barbara was a talented actress who appeared in several Broadway shows as well as being a semi-finalist in the Miss America contest in Atlantic City. She gave up her professional theatrical career when she met the love of her life, Benjamin Newberg of So. Fallsburg and they were married on September 7, 1942. Barbara’s life in So. Fallsburg was rich and rewarding. She raised three sons and shared a life with Ben, who rose to become the Sullivan County District Attorney and later County Judge. Barbara’s desire to enhance her community led her to co-founding with Sunna Rasch the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop. Barbara not only organized and promoted the Workshop but acted in and directed scores of productions and in later years was active in fundraising and served as Chairwoman Emeritus of the Workshop up to the time of her passing. She was instrumental in the Workshop securing its new permanent home in the Rivoli Theater building in South Fallsburg. Barbara’s passion for the state of Israel motivated her to found the So. Fallsburg Chapter of Hadassah. She worked tirelessly to organize fundraising events, served as President for years and she became active in the Lower New York Region of Hadassah and taught leadership classes to other Hadassah women. After her husband Ben’s passing in 1977, Barbara, a brilliant woman, resumed her academic career. She attended Sullivan County Community College and SUNY New Paltz and obtained her Master’s in Literature. Still wanting to give back to her community, she then taught literature at Sullivan County Community College. Throughout her life, Barbara was devoted to her family, always preparing and hosting the traditional Passover Seder and Thanksgiving feasts. She was a talented homemaker and her chocolate cake was legendary. Barbara knew how important it was to keep the family together. She is survived by three sons, Richard of Del Ray Beach, FL, Marvin and his wife Janet of Rock Hill, and Dennis of So. Fallsburg. She was predeceased by her loving sister Ruth Bennett of Monticello who founded the ARC of Sullivan County, a brother Norman Bleach and she is survived by her brother Arnold (Marge) of Hemlock Farms, PA. Barbara is survived by four grandchildren, Jennifer (Steve) Berry, of Central Valley, NY, Julie (Darren) Schwartz, of Central Valley, NY, Amanda Newberg (and her fiancé Eddie) of New York City, and Benjamin Newberg of Rock Hill. She leaves nine great grandchildren, Alexa, Gillian, Jack, Corey and Daniel Berry, and Max, Joseph, Jesse and Jacob Schwartz, and several nieces and nephews who all adored her. Barbara’s funeral will be held at Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home Inc. 3388 Broadway, Monticello at 10:45 AM on Friday, October 4, 2013, to be followed by her burial next to her husband Ben at the So. Fallsburg Hebrew Association Cemetery in Glen Wild.