The BESA Center for Strategic Studies was saddened to learn of the passing of Irwin Hochberg, a longtime friend of the Center and a tireless supporter of the State of Israel. Theย New York Timesย published the following obituary:
HOCHBERG–Irwin, 89, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home in Manhattan on Wednesday, October 11th.
He was born July 26, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY to Max and Bessie Hochberg. He is most remembered as a pillar of the Jewish community and his passing is a great loss for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of UJA-Federation; member of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel; National Campaign Chairman of State of Israel Bonds; Chairman of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) International Division; Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA); member of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress (WJC); member of the Executive Committee of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC); founding Trustee of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; President of the American Friends of the Open University of Israel; Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Forum.
He served on the Board of Directors of: the Jewish National Fund, Fuel For Truth, America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL), American Friends of Beit Hatefutsot, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). As a Certified Public Accountant, he was the Senior Partner and President of Bloom Hochberg & Co. for the past 59 years. He was also a developer of shopping centers, multi-family, farm and industrial properties. He was a guest lecturer and educator at numerous universities focusing on Middle East Studies. He is the author “Zionist and Patriot”, his memoir.
Irwin worked for Israel, but lived for his family. Nothing gave him more joy than the special relationship he had with each of his grandchildren and the time he spent with them having spirited conversations, private dinners, trips, phone calls and FaceTime. He leaves behind a loving family to carry on his legacy. He was the beloved father of Mitchell (Suzan), Jonathan (Stacy), Richard (David), grandfather/papa of Isabelle, Julia, Jordan, Ethan and Sabrina; devoted husband of 54 years to Rita Hochberg (deceased 2004) and Joan Zinbarg (deceased 2017); dedicated brother of Sybil Barer.