Jason Fenton, who left his native London in 1948 to become the youngest foreign volunteer in Israel’s War of Independence, died on Jan.21, 2017 at 85 in Minneapolis after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.
The son of a rabbi, Fenton was an indefatigable champion of the Jewish people and Israel during more than 50 years in Los Angeles and Orange County and the last four years of his life in Minneapolis.
A talented writer and public speaker, Fenton regularly addressed audiences in synagogues, churches, public forums and classrooms.
He immigrated to the United States in 1956, received a Ph.D. degree at UCLA and then pursued a lengthy career as a professor of English and of Jewish history at community colleges and state universities, primarily in Orange County.
Following in the footsteps of his older brother Ivor Fenton, Jason clandestinely left England for Israel and there fought with the 4th Anti-Tank Unit, composed of volunteers from the world’s English-speaking countries. His service, under fire, was arguably the defining experience of his life. In addition to his many speaking engagements, he authored “Strength and Courage: The Untold Story of the MACHAL Volunteers Who Helped Win Israel’s War of Independence,” appeared in two documentaries, and frequently participated in TV interviews.
After moving to Minneapolis to be near his daughters, and despite advancing illness, Fenton taught a very popular continuing education course in Jewish Biblical History through the University of Minnesota.
Fenton is survived by three daughters, Mina Rush, Tamar Fenton and Suzanne Fenton, 11 grandchildren, one great-grandson and his former spouse, Judith Fenton. He had a profound influence on his daughters, who are all deeply involved in Jewish life as professionals and volunteers, and on their descendants. The family requests that any donations in Jason Fenton’s memory be directed to the Lone Soldiers Program (www.LoneSoldiercenter.com) or to Friends of the IDF (www.fidf.org).
