Roz Schwartzberg slipped away quietly last Shabbat, just two weeks after celebrating her 103rd birthday, having lived a most extraordinary life, witnessing over a century of world history, with its cultural and technological transformation, and also contributing to it in her own quiet ways.
Just two short years ago The Jewish Link published a feature story celebrating Schwartzberg’s 101st birthday. Thinking it would be mostly a “feel-good” sort of feature, little did we know even a fraction of her backstory, and then it landed on the front page (August 3, 2022).
As a lifelong member of Adath Yeshurun Congregation in Elizabeth (with a 100-plus-year history of its own) she was also its most senior member.
Schwartzberg was described by Rabbi Shmuel Burnstein as “a role model to all who met her. She was devoted to Yiddishkeit and never missed shul. She davened every word, never talked during davening, was scrupulous in mitzvos and treated all she met with respect.” If she perceived someone in distress, she would not only try to be of help, but would follow up to assure the need was actually met. Although she had no children of her own, she treated her nieces and nephews as if they were her children.
“As things became more difficult, she still told me how appreciative she is of the life Hashem gives her, and would continue davening for more,” said Rabbi Burnstein. He added that she never wasted a minute, and was always striving to accomplish.
Roz was the recipient of numerous awards for service to the community, as was evidenced by the “wall of honor,” displayed discreetly in her home. Her abiding kindness and generosity were shared with many organizations, all of which she cared for deeply.
During World War II, Schwartzberg served as a U.S. Navy WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, created in 1942 by President Roosevelt), attending a six-week boot camp in the Bronx where she received extensive education in retail supplies and accounts. She rose to the rank of WAVE, Second Class, and her private-enterprise colleagues later describe her and her contribution to their operation as “nothing short of first class.”
Upon completing her tour of duty, she soon became one of the essential logistics and procurement experts in the growth and expansion of many of the ShopRite stores in the northern New Jersey area. Irv Glass, of Glass Gardens, one of the current owners of 11 ShopRite stores in the area commented, “When Roz retired in 1985, it took 20 people to replace her!” Terry Glass, another owner added, “She was the glue that held [parent company] Wakefern together,” underscoring her impact even more.
Schwartzberg will be greatly missed by the community and her devoted nieces and nephews as a person who valued humanity above all else, and accepted the will of Hashem at face value.
Yehi zichra baruch.
