In loving memory of

Judith Zukerman Kaufman
December 9, 1937 - March 17, 2017

Judith (Judy) Zukerman Kaufman, our most beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, teacher, and friend died of a heart attack at the Capitol Lakes assisted living community, where she was recovering from a staph infection. Judy was born in 1937, in Chicago, and grew up in a rich and vibrant immigrant Jewish family. From her family, she gained a life-long appreciation for music, graduating as a harp major from the University of Illinois-Champaign. In Champaign, she met her beloved husband of 53 years, Jerry, who asked her to sing Renaissance madrigals with him on their first date. She received a master's degree in education at Champaign and with Jerry she moved to the south side of Chicago, where she became active in the civil rights movement. Judith taught first grade at an African-American school and, with her own money, purchased books for the children that portrayed their own experience and history. She later worked for Catalyst for Youth, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young African-American and Latino high school students attend college.
In 1971, Judith moved to Madison with Jerry and her two young children, Ariel and Daniel. In Madison, she served as the director of the Head Start program. She also became a pillar of the Jewish community, dedicating herself to living Jewish religious and ethical precepts as well as transforming Jewish tradition to allow for the full and equal participation of women. She served as the first female president of Beth Israel Center, a ground-breaking role that influenced many women in the community. Afterwards, she attended the Jewish Theological Seminary, in New York, where she gained a second master's degree. More recently, Judith played a key role in founding Congregation Shaarei Shamayim, a Reconstructionist community in Madison. She tutored students for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah-beginning with her daughter, Ariel-until the end of her life.
A passionate lover of life, we know of no one who loved music, dancing, art, and literature more than Judith. In her fifties, she began learning Italian out of a life-long love for the language and culture. She also began to write poetry, which was rooted in her life experiences and the immigrant Jewish world of her family. In 2004, she published a book of her poems, "Amsterdam Days," about the two years she spent living in the Netherlands with Jerry. Those personal efforts were twinned with an unshakable commitment to social justice, rooted in the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam-an ethical concept that calls on people to try and "repair the world." Even in the last few years of life, when she was battling many illnesses, she continued to volunteer: delivering meals to the elderly and those less fortunate, canvassing for political causes and candidates, and mentoring high school students at Malcolm Shabazz City School. She enthusiastically participated in the protests at the Capitol against Act 10 and other anti-worker measures.
We are bereft from her passing. Rest in peace, darling mother, sister, bubbe, and friend. Our grief is infinite, but we are comforted knowing that you will be lying beside your beloved Jerry forever.
Judith is predeceased by her parents, Chaim and Dorothy Zukerman, and her husband and life partner, Jerry. She is survived by her children, Ariel of Madison, and Daniel, of Brooklyn, NY; their spouses Michael Kissick and Juliette Mapp; her cherished grandsons Benjamin and Luca; and her sister, Elyse Zukerman, of Chicago.
The funeral service will be held at Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, on Monday, March 20 at 11 am. Burial will follow in Natural Path Sanctuary, Verona, WI.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation by check or online to any of the following organizations Judy loved: Malcom Shabazz City High School, 1601 N Sherman Ave Madison, WI 53704, www.shabazz.madison.k12.wi.us/support-shabazz; Woodland Pattern Book Center, 720 E. Locust St., Milwaukee, WI, www.woodlandpattern.org/support/; Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc., 302 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, WI, 53202, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/.

Please share your memories of Judith.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434

Tributes

Marc Berg wrote on Apr 20, 2017:

"I met Judy through her friendship with my wife's parents. A visit to Madison usually included a visit to the Kaufman's. I didn't know them as long or as well as my wife and her family but that didn't stop them from making me feel like family rather than a visitor. Fond memories include how she would entertain our then infant daughter with impromptu music lessons,including percussive eggs that we got to take with us back to Holland and again the impromptu music lesson she gave to the Irish rock band at our wedding so they were able to play Havanagila. Thanks to Judy's time in Amsterdam, my daughter will have the choice to wear a talit on her upcoming Bat Mitzva without the struggle Judy went through."

Ingrid Reis-Glass wrote on Mar 29, 2017:

"Just got the sad news. Judith was such a lovely lady! Her poetry was amazing and Judith's reading of her deep and beautiful poems was thoroughly enjoyable. My her memory be a blessing!"

Daniel Hanson wrote on Mar 21, 2017:

"Judith was a frequent guest in the poetry classes that I taught the last year-and-a-half at Malcom Shabazz City High School. The students learned much about poetry from Judith and so much more. The way Judith read her poems was stunning. The delightful way Judith asked students to read aloud one of their own poems brought the best out of my students. And then Judith would ask if she could read their poem aloud. When Judith did so the understanding expressions on my students faces was wonderful. Through this students learned how much Judith cared and so did I. Judith will live long in all our memories."

Lonna Temple wrote on Mar 20, 2017:

"I am sad to hear of Judith's passing. I am honored to have known such a strong, amazing women. Her determination to show up to class, to get stronger, to be an inspiration and always share what exercise did for her. I will miss her contribution to being healthy! Lonna MSCR"

Christina Kantor wrote on Mar 20, 2017:

"I was lucky, though I only met her this year when we joined CSS that I got to spend a little bit of time with her. She was so inspiring and delightful. I won't soon forget her- she challenged me to sink my teeth into life a bit deeper... "

Judith Kaufman wrote on Mar 20, 2017:

""Judith and I shared a name. We are related by her marriage to Jerry Kaufman. I can only pray that I also share her warm-hearted open generous spirit and love of life's riches. She will forever be a role model for me and all who had the good fortune of loving her, working with her, and meeting her. Our loss cannot be measured......knowing Judith, even for a short time was a gift that I will forever appreciate and treasure. I hope that her children and their families are embraced by their communities with love, healing, and understanding. " Judith Kaufman"

Ellen Meyer wrote on Mar 19, 2017:

"I was in awe of Judith's strength, self-assurance and accomplishments. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones. May her memory be for a blessing; I will miss her. Ellen Meyer"

Larry Weiner wrote on Mar 19, 2017:

"My sincerest condolences to you all on the loss of this wonderful Woman, Judith. A model for us all ... her loss will be felt by many as she touched the lives of so many ... a true Eishet Hayil ... may her memory be as a blessing to all who were near and dear to her and all who knew her. Larry Weiner"

Richard Kilmer wrote on Mar 19, 2017:

"I am so saddened by your loss. Judith was an amazing woman and made this world a better place for everyone. I write this with tears in my eyes and love for Judith in my heart. What a wonderful woman. She leaves a huge hole in this world that we all need to work to replace. Her amazing work will never be forgotten."