One of Great Neck’s great women, Naomi Feldheim, died on Sunday, Aug. 11. She wore many hats with dedication and style and she gave much of herself to our town and its residents, especially our children.
Naomi was a gifted teacher who taught kindergarten for more than 20 years at the Kennedy School. Her students and their parents adored her and she remembered them all. She was active in the Great Neck Teacher’s Association and then in the retired teachers organization.
Dating back many years she was involved in advancing civil liberties, civil rights, peace and the women’s movements. She was involved in local politics, actively supporting worthy candidates and causes. She was always aware of current issues and never missed an opportunity to vote. She sat on the board of CLASP to make sure that children of working parents were cared for.
For three years she served as chair of the Great Neck Library Nominating Committee and was on the current library advisory board. Reach Out America, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving our Constitutional rights through social and political action was her cause since it was established nine years ago. She served as cochair at the time of her death.
In addition to all of this, Naomi had time and energy for the arts. She enjoyed music, theater, dance and the visual arts. She served for many years as a docent at the Nassau County Museum of Art and was a board member of the North Shore Community Arts Council.
Naomi is survived by her two daughters, Jen and Debbie, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law and two grandchildren.
She was an esteemed member of the Reconstructionist Synagogue in Plandome.
“Her death has left an empty place in the hearts of the people who knew and loved her” said the rabbi at her funeral.
Well done Naomi! May you rest in peace.
Shirley Romaine
Great Neck
