Remembering Alison Hendeles, OBM

Nine months ago, I heard the news that my niece, Alison Hendeles was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer.  Our family was distraught but we had held onto hopes for a recovery through treatment. Family, friends and acquaintances prayed for her cure. Aliza Talia Sara bat Dena Rachel fought her illness valiantly with her characteristic strength and dignity. Tragically, Alison succumbed to her illness on June 14, 2022, leaving behind friends, family, and Hillel Hebrew students and colleagues who loved her infectious laugh and friendly demeanor. 

Alison was born in 1984 to Howard and Diane Brokowsky. She attended Hillel Hebrew Academy, Shalhevet High School and Stern College in NY. In 2005, she married Alex Hendeles and settled in Beverlywood, raising their twins, Isabelle and Noah.

Alison – or Ali, as she was known to family and friends — had a positive, upbeat way about her.  One personal memory sums up my niece’s essence. Once at Pesach, when our entire Hendeles family gathered with all the cousins, after the meal I shared a concern with Ali. She listened to me, heard me out, waved her hand, and then in her relaxed, but perky, voice said, “Aunt Miriam, they’ll figure it out!” 

Figuring things out and helping others realize that they too can figure stuff out was her gift.  Whether she was sharing one of her philosophies about child raising, or giving tips on where to buy a product, we knew we could reach out to her.  She had a huge heart and offered a listening ear and tips as to newcomers to town as to where to shop for groceries, what neighborhood was best for them, and what baby gear was the most practical for their kids.

Alison’s priority was her family. She was a devoted mom to her children, and helped her husband, Alex in their business. She was a pre-school Morah for years at Hillel Hebrew Academy and also worked in event-planning, helping out with the logistics of weddings and parties. 

Ali was outgoing, creative, full of spunk and had friends from all walks of life. As her mom, Diane says, “her 8th grade class was divided into groups where some went to YULA, some Shalhevet and some Bais Yaakov, but they all remained close and kept in touch.” Liron Factor, a long-time school friend who spoke at the funeral, shared how Alison was always the one against bullying. When kids were teasing one another, Alison would scold the teaser, and say, “That’s mean, stop it!”

Alison must have known she had little time to waste; she spoke quickly and you knew you had to listen carefully. 

Alison must have known she had little time to waste; she spoke quickly and you knew you had to listen carefully. Ali cared so much and gave her friends and colleagues her smile, kindness and wisdom every day of her too-short life. At her pre-school class, she’d cover an entire wall with canvas so the kids could splash paint. With her next-door cousins she’d play fun games on Shabbos, laughing and always having a great time. When she was in the depth of her illness, in the final days of her life, she inquired about whether others have eaten yet. Alison somehow figured out how to show up in so many settings, and inspired others to do the same. In her short life, Alison taught us so much about knowing what is important in life, and staying focused. 

Hundreds attended funeral services at Beth Jacob Congregation, to bid farewell to Aliza Talia Sara bat Chanoch Feivel. Rabbi Daniel Grama led the proceedings and burial was at Mt Sinai in Simi Valley. Alison leaves behind her husband, Alex, children Isabelle and Noah, parents, Diane and Richard Rosenthal, loving in-laws, siblings, cousins, and friends. May her memory be for a blessing.

CORRECTION: Please note that in an earlier version of the final paragraph of the Alison Hendeles obituary, it was mistakenly changed and printed that Diane and Richard Rosenthal are Alison’s in-laws. They are her parents.