Funeral Home Services
Current Funeral Services
Lois Kaish
Lois Kaish, of Springfield, New Jersey, passed away Friday, May 5th, at age 91. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Lois attended Cornell University, where she graduated from the newly
established School of Industrial and Labor Relations, with a BS in 1952.
At Cornell Lois met her husband Stanley (on a triple date – though they were not each other’s
dates that night) and were married for 65 years. They resided in Springfield since 1961, where
Lois dedicated herself to community service as a professional volunteer, with the emphasis on
“professional.” Countless organizations, including B’nai B’rith Women, Israel Bonds, Jewish
Women International, Jewish Family Services, the Rachel Coalition, Project S.A.R.A.H., and
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, benefitted from her leadership skills, and organizational and
journalistic talents. Even in her 90s, through her selflessness and mentoring, Lois continued to
grow her network of friends and admirers, many of whom considered her a “second mother.”
She was also renowned for her cooking, including her “light as air” matzoh balls in homemade
chicken soup. Lois was devoted to her husband Stanley, her sons Harvey and Steven, their
wives Michele Kaish and Julie Mermelstein, and her five grandchildren Michael, Jeremy,
Alexander, Harrison and Ian, all of whom survive her.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 8 at noon at Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, 60 Temple Drive, Springfield, New Jersey. Interment will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, New Jersey. Donations in memory of Lois can be made to Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, or the Rachel Coalition’s mission of responding to domestic violence.
For shiva information, please contact Ross' Shalom Chapels at (973) 665-1800.
Burton L Mandell
Burton L Mandell passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023. He was 92. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he lived in Elizabeth, Imlaystown, and Irvington, New Jersey before moving to Cranford 65 years ago.
He earned a BA degree and a Masters in Education from Rutgers University. He worked as a teacher, guidance counselor and principal at several schools in Cranford for 35 years including Sherman School, Hillside Avenue Junior High School, Lincoln School, and Brookside Place School, before retiring in 1989. During his tenure at the Cranford Public Schools, he served as the district’s first affirmative action officer.
Burton was an active member of Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim, holding many positions, including Vice President, USY advisor, and also was active in the Temple Men’s club for many years. He was honored by both the Synagogue and Men's Club for his involvement.
Pre-deceased by Doris, his wife of 60 years, parents, Sol and Rose Mandell, and his brothers Seymour and Marvin, he is survived by his children, Steven (Laura) Mandell, David (Lois) Mandell, Phyllis (Lance) Kandl, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim in Cranford, New Jersey. Arrangements by Ross’ Shalom Chapels, Springfield.
Paul Hilf
Paul Hilf passed away on February 6, 2023, at the age of 86. Born in Newark, NJ, Paul lived in Clark, Edison, Colts Neck, Arizona and Somerset. He earned a BA degree from Upsala College and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickenson University.
A spirit of vision in the field of community college finance and education, distinguished service to the community in which he resided, and dedication to providing affordable education to thousands of students, characterized the career of Paul Hilf. For more than 27 years, Paul devoted his talent and expertise to the fiscal integrity of higher education, specifically Middlesex County College and Foundation.
In September 1967, as Middlesex County College anticipated commencement of its first graduating class, Paul joined the College as Assistant to the Director of Administrative Services. He was appointed to the position of Controller in 1969, and was later promoted to Vice President for Finance and Controller. During his tenure, enrollment increased from 4,000 to 13,000 and Middlesex County College received recognition as the largest and finest community college in the state of New Jersey.
Paul’s participation in community and professional activities included Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Board member of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and the Robert Wood Johnson Property Holding Corporation. He held leadership roles with Central New Jersey Home for the Jewish Aged, National Conference of Christians and Jews, Edison Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Edison Township Board of Education. He also served as Chairman of the New Jersey County College Business Officers Association. His affiliation with the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers provided community colleges with its first Board member representation.
After retirement, Paul maintained his enthusiasm for model trains. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, visiting the casinos in Arizona and Las Vegas, and traveling. Paul was also involved in developing assisted living facilities in Arizona.
Pre-deceased by his parents Leo and Goldie Hilf, he is survived by his children: Gary (Lynne) Hilf and Nanci (David) Levi; Grandchildren: Brandon and Melissa Hilf, Adam and Nicole Levi; a sister Lynn (Robert) Cohen; step-sister Marilyn Dill; nieces: Robyn (Gary) Mortellito, and Gennifer (Anthony) Lotito and grandnieces: Isabella and Sophia Lotito.
A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, February 10, 2023 at Beth David Cemetery in Kenilworth, NJ at 11:00 am. For shiva information, please call Ross’ Shalom Chapels at 973-665-1800.
Services At The Funeral Home
Services are available at our funeral home, in our beautiful chapel. We can accommodate over 150 persons in all of our buildings and there is never any additional charge for a larger service. The choice of whether to have a funeral in the Funeral Home, at your synagogue, or graveside is very much a personal one. A service in any of our buildings usually involves a visitation for up to 1 hour preceding the service, followed by a service of approximately 20 minutes in length. The service is then followed by a processional to the cemetery led by the hearse (or in special circumstances by a police escort.) The processional to the cemetery can take anywhere from 15 minutes (Temple B’nai Abraham Memorial Park in Union, N.J. or Beth David Memorial Park in Kenilworth from our Springfield facility) to an hour or longer, depending on where your chosen cemetery is located. In most cases the processional will take 30-40 minutes. We try to drive slowly, on both local roads as well as on the highways, so that we do not lose anyone who is following.
Notice regarding services during the Pandemic
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, we are only able to accommodate funeral services in line with the requirements and recommendations of the state of New Jersey. For more information, please contact us at 973-665-1800.
