Ira Riklis was mentioned in this New York Times obituary for his mother. She died January 15, 2008.
Here it is:
RIKLIS–Judith Stern, a proud daughter of Israel, died January 15 in New York City where she lived. She was born 83 years ago to one of Tel Aviv’s early families. Her grandfather was Aharon-Zelig Krinkin, an emigrant from Czarist Russia, who established one of Tel Avivs first pharmacies. (The phone number was ”23”.)
Judith was raised in Tel Aviv and graduated from the Gymnasia Herzliya, the first school in what was then Palestine to teach exclusively in Hebrew. It was there that she met her future husband, Meshulam Riklis, the Israeli-American financier and philanthropist. With him and their first-born, the couple went to America to attend college. They settled for a time in Minneapolis where both Judith and Meshulam taught Hebrew school and Meshulam worked also as a stock broker.
The couple eventually moved to the New York area where Judith raised her three children, Mona Ackerman, Marcia Riklis and Ira D. Riklis. Judith took a passionate interest in the Jewish state, contributing to many charities, including the Hadassah Hospital, the Bat Sheva dance troupe and the Soldiers Welfare Association. A building on the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University is named for her.
Judith was a warm woman, devoted to her family. She loved and supported the arts and had a keen eye for painting. In addition to her children and her daughter-inlaw, Diana Riklis, Judith is survived by six grandchildren, Ari Ackerman, Gila (and Roy) Steinbock, Jordana (and Ben) Cooperberg, Talia (and Andrew) Day, Daniella Hirschfeld and David Hirschfeld; four great – grandchildren, Layla, Ayelet, Leo and Leora.
RIKLIS–Judith. Park East Synagogue and Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School mourn the passing of our devoted member Judith Riklis, beloved matriarch of the Riklis family, mother of our dedicated member and benefactor Ira (Diana) Riklis, Mona Ackerman, Marcia Riklis, grandmother and great-grandmother. To them and the entire family our deepest sympathy. Rabbi Arthur Schneier Herman Hochberg, President
RIKLIS–Judith. The Board of Trustees of the Israel Cancer Research Fund expresses deepest sympathy to Dr. Mona Ackerman upon the loss of her mother, Judith. Passionate and charitable in her commitment to Jewish life both here and in Israel, Mrs. Riklis will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. We extend sincerest condolences to Dr. Ackerman, her family and the families of Marcia Riklis and Ira Riklis. Harriet Elisofon, President Dr. Yashar Hirshaut, Chairman Mitch Orlik, Chief Professional Officer
to ira riklis and family:
when your parents came to the states, they came with their sweet baby to columbus, ohio and the ohio state university. in columbus, the struggling students rented a half of a brick double from my cousins, shmuel and gittel bialis.
i was their infrequent babysitter for about 6 months and rik was my teacher at hebrew school. my family loved this handsome young israeli couple.
i moved to israel in june, 1971. your father and i touched base only periodically through the years.
i only saw judith once – much later, in israel, at a gala philharmonic evening, and she was even more gorgeous, more charming, with the same wonderful smile.
every year, the esra philanthropic organization promotes an art appreciation course at the tel aviv art museum which we begin in the riklis hall.
every new philharmonic season, i know i’ll read the program at each concert and see the riklis listings.
and visits to hadassah always bring a smile on seeing the riklis name.
and over the years, your father has hosted [without any of us ever knowing there was a common link] 2 young israeli travellers……..one in florida – ron rappaport, the son of my daughter’s best friend and the other in las vegas, the son of one of my own very close although much younger friends. amir egel, for some reason, was given one of your father’s monogrammed leather jackets as well as his gracious hospitality.
i wish all of the riklis family long healthy lives
and thank you for your unending generosity to our precious country.
p.s. while i was sec’y at the o.s.u. hillel, i enjoyed being of assistance to the israeli students and in that way, met a cousin of your’s, giorra matzkin. i hope he and his family are happy and well.
wishing you all a good year, a sweet year, a year of peace.
i have never done this before and i hope i won’t regret it. fingers crossed.
Comment by fran [tanenbaum] flamholz — August 30, 2009 @ 7:28 am
Dear Fran,
Somehow we didn’t see your comment until now. We will pass this message to Ira Riklis. It’s wonderful to hear of these stories and the impact they have had on your life. Many times these are quiet acts not known to many.
Thank you for writing this and for your kind words.
- Clint
Comment by admin — January 5, 2010 @ 2:26 pm