Helen Slipman Kohlman dies at 83; funeral on Sunday
HELEN SLIPMAN KOHLMAN, a distinguished lawyer and ad hoc judge, died in her apartment on December 4, 2013. She was 83. A native-born and life-long New Orleanian, Kohlman had a distinguished 45-year law career, practicing with her husband Herman Kohlman as Kohlman & Kohlman. She served as an ad hoc judge in the Orleans Parish Juvenile Courts and was a member of the Louisiana legislative committee that re-wrote Louisiana domestic and community property laws, eliminating the gender oppressive “ head and master regime” that allowed husbands to encumber or sell community property without the wife’s permission or knowledge.
A product of the New Orleans public schools, she graduated from Eleanor McMain Senior High School. One of only three women, Kohlman was the valedictorian of her class at the Loyola University School of Law, and an editor of the Law Review.
A life-long Democrat and political activist, especially for causes that promoted racial and gender equality, Kohlman was president of the Independent Women’s Organization and a founding member of the Committee of 21, formed to solicit and promote female candidates for political office.
Kohlman was the longest-serving member of the New Orleans Library Board for over 32 years, first being appointed by Mayor Ernest Morial. In her term Helen oversaw three new libraries built in Algiers, Gentilly and the Rosa Keller branch in Broadmoor. Kohlman served on the RDC board, and was instrumental in negotiating the contracts that brought Harrahs to New Orleans. Her most recent involvement was bringing the Saenger Theatre back to its original glory.
As an active member of the New Orleans Jewish community, she continued to give of herself to the causes she cherished most. A staunch supporter of the state of Israel, Kolhman chaired the Israel Bonds campaign in New Orleans for many years, raising millions of dollars for the benefit of the Jewish State.
She served on the board at the Willow Wood Home for the Jewish Aged, ultimately becoming the president. She was part of the committee that started the planning of what was to become the Woldenberg Apartments, making Willow Wood a premier destination for the elderly who would need that care and support.
Kohlman shared her love for learning with over 20 years of students as an adjunct professor of the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, where she taught business law, winning the best professor award on multiple occasions.
Kohlman gave herself to many worthy causes throughout her lifetime and was considered among the best and brightest of community leaders, teachers, political activists and philanthropists.
She is survived by her children, Sandra Friedman (Barry), Marsha Morak (Glenn), Neil Kohlman (Hannah) and Ira Kohlman (John Thompson); a sister, Marion Slipman Cohen and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted by Rabbi Robert Loewy at Congregation Gates of Prayer , 4000 West Esplanade Ave., in Metairie on Sunday, December 7, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. Following services at the synagogue a graveside service, will follow with internment in Hebrew Rest Cemetery No. 3, 2100 Pelopidas at Frenchmen Streets.
The family will be sitting shiva and receiving visitors Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. in the home of Neil and Hannah Kohlman in Uptown New Orleans.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Orleans Library Trust or Congregation Gates of Prayer Social Action Fund, Metairie, LA. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home of Metairie is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online here. For more information, call 504-835-2341.
