Harriet I. Tabak

March 4, 1935 - November 20, 2012

Harriet I. (Engelhardt) Tabak, of Highland Park, NJ died Tuesday evening, November 20, 2012 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in New Brunswick, Mrs. Tabak was a longtime resident of Highland Park. Harriet was involved with numerous philanthropic and charitable organizations. She was an active member of the Highland Park Conservative Temple/ Congregation Anshe Emeth, Highland Park. She was a board member of the Temple’s Sisterhood and ran their Sisterhood Gift Shop for 8 years in addition to chairing many Temple fund raising activities. Harriet, along with her husband Joe were honored by the Temple in 2002 for their many years of dedication and support . They received the Congregation’s prestigious “Chaver Award” . Noted for her hospitality and generosity, she together with her husband hosted the Temple’s annual gathering each winter in Florida. After the fire in the Temple in 2006, Harriet was active in the rebuilding of the Temple as chair of the Livnot (rebuilding) Campaign. Harriet has chaired many events for the Central New Jersey Jewish Home for the Aged and the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County. She was the recipient of the Federation’s coveted Lion of Judah Award and was an active member of the Foundation’s Women’s Division Board. She was a Board Member of the Federation, life member of Hadassah, Board Member of the CNJJHA Auxiliary and Vice President of the CNJJHA Foundation Board. Har was beautiful and elegant inside and out, she was strong and a do-er, loved tennis and cards and all her friends from NJ to Florida and in between, but most importantly she cared deeply about others and devoted her significant energies to her community. She will be deeply missed, but leaves a legacy of love and caring to all those who loved her. Daughter of the late Morris (Engelhardt) and Dorothy (Schwartz), she is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Joseph; her beloved sons Jeff and his wife Marilyn and Steven and his wife Cathy. She is the proud grandmother of Gail, Brad, Rachel, Max and Aaron. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 PM on Friday, November 23, 2012 at the Highland Park Conservative Temple/ Congregation Anshe Emeth on the corner of Third Ave. & Benner St. in Highland Park. Interment will follow in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin. The family will be sitting Shiva at Har and Joe’s residence, 30 So. Adelaide Ave., Highland Park until Tuesday evening and on Wednesday evening, November 28 at Marilyn and Jeff’s apartments, 875 Park Ave., NY, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harriet Tabak Memorial Fund c/o HPCTCAE or to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, 230 Old Bridge Tpk., So. River NJ 08882.