DEBORAH SIMONS

Beloved wife of Cantor Jerome L. Simons, of blessed memory, mother, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law, and aunt, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 at her home in Philadelphia. She worked as a teacher in public and private schools in the Philadelphia area. She was later hired by the Jewish Community High School of Gratz College (JCHS) in Elkins Park, PA, where she taught Bible, Jewish History, and education courses for many years. Her students highly regarded her easy-going yet content-focused style of teaching. She was later promoted to become the Director of Student Services and, eventually, the Acting Director of JCHS. She was very active in educational and youth programming at Congregation Shaare Shamayim for many years, often in tandem with her husband, Cantor Simons. Deborah Simons is survived by her daughter, Esther Simons-Koppel (Barry); her daughter, Lois Made (Carlos); her son, Dov Simons, her sister, Zelda Oslon; and her granddaughter, Melissa Made. A Graveside Service was held on Wednesday, December 16th. In lieu of flowers, donations in the merit of her memory can be made to Congregation B'nai Israel - Ohev Zedek, 8201 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152. www.goldsteinsfuneral.com