Historic URJ and Temple Sinai leader Betty Greif Zivitz

BETTY GREIF ZIVITZ, a property manager and the first woman to lead a Jewish congregation as president in the Southern region of what is now called the Union for Reform Judaism, died Wednesday, March 20 at Touro Infirmary on March 20 after a protracted illness.

A native of Mobile, AL, Zivitz moved to New Orleans in 1965 and was a property manager for the now defunct Meltzer Management. She also worked for a time as an administrative assistant to the Judah Touro Foundation, while maintaining a strong leadership role at Temple Sinai. Zivitz assumed the presidency of Temple Sinai from 1981-1983 during a time when women were beginning to take the reins of power in the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. She was the first woman to be elected as president at Temple Sinai and set the pattern for the rest of the Southern region and the nation. Even after she left office, she immersed herself in volunteering for the Reform temple and when longtime executive director Herbert Barton announced his retirement, she took over his post from 2006. Her daughter, Ann Zivitz Kimball, followed her as president from 2007-2009 , the first time a mother and daughter followed each other as synagogue presidents.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Harrel A. Zivitz; Kimball and two other daughters Carol Lange (Josep) and Lois Morgan; and seven grandchildren.

Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn will officiate at graveside services at Hebrew Rest Cemetery Number 3, 2100 Pelopidas at Frenchmen Street this morning, March 22,  at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 or the charity of your choice. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.