John Kugler
January 5, 1953 ~ November 25, 2025 (72 years old)
John Kugler Obituary
John Kugler of Burlington City passed away Tuesday November 25, 2025 at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ at the age of 72. Born in Philadelphia, John was a longtime resident of Burlington. He was a high school special education teacher for Delran High School starting in 1975, the school’s first year of existence until his retirement in 2013. While teaching, he was the varsity field hockey coach and the assistant wrestling coach. He was also inducted into the South Jersey Coaching Hall of Fame for Field Hockey. He was a former officer of the Delran Education Association and a member of the Burlington County Retired Educators Association. In his spare time he was active in Burlington City youth sports. John was predeceased by his father Otto Kugler, his step father Joe Samoni and his brother Michael Kugler. He is survived by his wife, Maryann (nee Pennise) Kugler, his sons and daughters in law; John and Rochelle, Justin and Bernadette and Tim and Katelyn and his grandchildren; Michael, Samuel, Otto and Molly. He is also survived by his mother Irene Samoni, his brothers and sister; Tom, Joe, Gerry, Paul, Tim and Irene as well as several nieces, other family members and friends. Viewings for John will be held Thursday, December 4th from 6-8pm and Friday, December 5th from 9:30-10:30am at the Page Funeral Home, 302 E. Union St., Burlington. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11am Friday in St. Paul R.C. Church, 223 E. Union St., Burlington. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Council, 520 Carpenter Lane-Com, Philadelphia, PA 19119. or you may visit the website at www.theparkinsoncouncil.org. The gift of prayer would also be greatly appreciated by his family.
Dr. David A. Shafritz (October 5, 1940 – October 17, 2025)
Dr. David A. Shafritz was born on October 5, 1940 in Northeast Philadelphia. He graduated from Central High School in 1958 and then attended the University of Pennsylvania on an academic scholarship. While a student there, he majored in chemistry and played on the Lightweight football team. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in 1962, he remained at the University of Pennsylvania for medical school, graduating in 1966. While in medical school, he met the girl of his dreams, Sharon Klemow, and they married on August 16, 1964.
Upon graduating from medical school, Dr. Shafritz and his wife moved to Silver Spring, MD so that he could start a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. From 1968 to 1971, Dr. Shafritz served as a surgeon in the United States Army Medical Corps. He then took an academic position at Harvard University. In 1973, he was recruited by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served on the faculty as a Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology, and Pathology, including as emeritus, for over 50 years. He settled with his family in Larchmont, NY, where they became active and supportive members of the congregation at The Westchester Jewish Center.
Dr. Shafritz was a talented researcher and prolific author of over 150 scientific papers, as well as being an editor of a medical textbook on liver disease. Dr. Shafritz’s research examined the liver disease mechanisms, including methods for liver regeneration in diseases such as hepatitis. While at Einstein, Dr. Shafritz earned the title of Herman Lopata Professor of Liver Disease Research - an endowed professorship - and served as the Director of the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center for 28 years. In this role, he mentored countless medical students, residents, fellows, and graduate students, many of whom went on to have preeminent careers in the field.
Dr. Shafritz and family traveled the world extensively but returned every year to Hawaii and Israel. For over 45 years, Dr. Shafritz was a Visiting Scientist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, collaborating with the country’s most notable researchers.
Dr. Shafritz is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sharon Klemow Shafritz, sons Dr. Adam (Megan) and Dr. Keith (Donna), grandchildren Emily, Justin, Matthew, and Riley, sister Sofia Winkler, cherished sisters- and brothers-in-law, and beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Mitchell, and his son, Gregory.
Donations in Dr. Shafritz’s honor can be made to The Weizmann Institute of Science or to the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Herbert J. Malamut, of Marlton, NJ, died June 23, 2025, at his residence. He was 70 years old.
Herb is survived by his wife, Myra Lewinter Malamut; his children, Liza Malamut and Dennis (Michele) Malamut; his father, David Malamut; and his siblings, Shari (Allen) Samuels and Stuart (Tracey) Malamut. Herb was pre-deceased by his mother, Marcella Malamut.
Relatives and friends are invited Sunday, June 29, 2025, beginning 10:15 am to Congregation Adath Emanu-El, 205 Elbo Lane, Mt. Laurel, NJ, where funeral services will begin promptly at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Montefiore Cemetery in Jenkintown, PA.
Shiva will take place following the interment, with Sunday minyan at 6:00 PM, Monday and Tuesday 6:30-8:30 PM with Minyan at 7:00 PM, all at Adath Emanu-El. If you would like to bring something for shiva, please bring it to the synagogue; please do not bring anything to the home.
In memory of Herb, contributions may be made to a health-related charity, a hunger-relief organization, or to Congregation Adath Emanu-El.
Herb Malamut was perfectly content working as Adath Emanu-El’s musical accompanist— until a dream challenged him to do more.
“It was a bizarre dream,” admitted Malamut, 59. “I was attending a concert and the conductor announced that the composer was in the audience.” The dream audience cheered enthusiastically for him.
“It just stuck with me,” he added.
If he were to start composing music, he realized, it wouldn’t be the first time that the Philadelphia native followed a dream. When he turned 50, after all, Malamut left the family heating and air conditioning business to return to the study of music, his original pursuit until derailed by voice issues. So two years ago, Malamut—who had never before composed music—started writing down new choral arrangements of sacred Jewish texts.
The first was “Shalom Rav,” a mellow and sweet version of the benediction for peace. Unsure of what others would think of it, he took a chance nonetheless and played it for Adath’s Cantor Sandra Messinger. He was relieved when she, Rabbi Ben David and the congregation loved it—so much so that it has become a regular part of Shabbat services and was the choir’s chosen song in last year’s Delaware Valley Jewish Choral Festival.
“Mi Sheberach,” a prayer for healing, was next. After that, Malamut was unstoppable. In the past few months, he has written enough arrangements to fill an entire Shabbat Service, from “Hinei Mah Tov” to “Yigdal.” The congregation’s first Shabbat Shira, featuring 10 of his arrangements, drew a large crowd on Jan. 30. And his latest piece, “Etz Chiam,” will be performed by 10 choruses at this year’s Choral Festival.
As Malamut explained it, he aims to create music that is uplifting, inspirational and accessible to all levels of singers. The tunes reflect a wide variety of genres.
In a sense, Malamut’s life has led up to this, only with some obstacles along the way. As a child in Philadelphia, his favorite part of Hebrew School was playing piano. “I was the designated player of the ‘Hatikvah’ and ‘Adon Olam,’” he said.
At West Chester University, he was a promising opera singer. With his interest in Judaism, it wasn’t hard for a professor to recruit him to also enroll in Gratz’s cantorial program.
Malamut was two-thirds through his studies when he started developing vocal problems. To his frustration, his voice was unpredictable and inconsistent. (Years later, the problems would be attributed to asthma.) Thinking these issues were career ending, he went into the family business.
But years later, with his wife Myra, a professional flutist and music professor, encouraging him, Malamut left HVAC to get back into the music biz. The plan was to finish where he left off. But when the old voice demons returned, he put the focus solely on piano. He has been on the job at Adath for seven years.
The dream visited him some two years ago. Although at first confusing, it dawned on Malamut that composing music wasn’t such a stretch. As a jazz pianist, he regularly improvises melodies. Also, during meditations in Adath’s service, he whips up original music to fit the mood.
Malamut is not sure where he is going with his compositions.
“It’s just a kick to see the choir members and congregation enjoying it,” he said.
Richard Rubinstein
Richard Rubinstein, of Mt. Laurel, NJ, died August 17, 2025 in Voorhees, NJ. He was 92 years.
Richard served at the former accompanist at Adath Emanu-El for close to 40 years. He was the husband of Robbie, z"l, father of Caryn Rubinstein, Ken (Vanessa) Rubinstein and Debra (Rick) Vickers; grandfather of Stephanie (Ryan) Rubinstein, Abigail Vickers and Michael Rubinstein z"l.
Relatives and friends are invited Thursday, August 21, 2025 beginning 12:00 noon to Cong. Adath Emanu-El, 205 Elbo Lane, Mt. Laurel, NJ where funeral services will begin promptly at 12:30 pm.
Interment will follow at Locustwood Memorial Park in Cherry Hill, NJ.
RICHARD RUBINSTEIN… has served for 40 years as the synagogue organist/keyboardist.
Adath Emanu-El will hold a special Shabbat service Friday, May 14, 8 p.m., as it celebrates and commemorates Richard Rubinstein and his 40 years as the synagogue’s organist and keyboardist. The public is welcome.
The tribute will include music that Rubinstein composed, along with special prayers and songs chosen for this occasion. The Mount Laurel resident, who made the move along with the synagogue from Willingboro, will perform several musical numbers and share his insights about each piece that he plays.
Current members of the Adath Emanu-El Choir, along with choir alumni, will take part in the festivities as friends, family and congregants, as well as community members, share in the event. The evening will conclude with a lavish Oneg and a few surprises.
The tribute, which is free to all, will be a fitting one for Rubinstein. His musical career began at age five, when the Brooklyn native started studying piano and keyboard harmony with a professor at New York University.
Throughout his college career and a two-year stint in the Army, Rubinstein played in several large dance bands and small combos, and accompanied various vocalists and instrumentalists.
He met his wife, Robbie, while both were attending The Ohio State University. The couple moved back to New York and relocated to the Delaware Valley when Rubinstein got a job with a pharmaceutical company in the region. Eventually, the young family settled in Willingboro, also home to then-Temple Emanu-El.
For the past 40 years, Rubinstein has been the organist/keyboardist at Adath Emanu-El and has accompanied various services for the Sabbath, High Holy Days, Festivals and numerous other religious and congregational functions. He has composed original songs for Purim and Chanukah as well as for an annual synagogue highlight, Shabbat Shira (Sabbath of Song).
Rubinstein has appeared as a guest soloist with the Wind Symphony of South Jersey and also leads “The Burning Bush,” a Klezmer band that has performed at Philadelphia venues and the Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown, as well as at Adath Emanu-El. He served as director of the congregation’s choir and instrumental ensemble for a number of years.
Adath Emanu-El is located at 205 Elbo Lane, Mount Laurel. For more information, call the office at 608-1200.
