Obituaries

Daniel Drench Architect of Local Jewish Federation, Dies

Jewish philanthropist, B'nai Abraham member was responsible for merger leading to establishment of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ.

Daniel Drench, a member of Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston, who was a past president of United Jewish Federation of Morris-Sussex and an architect of the merger between the group and the Jewish Community Federation of Metropolitan New Jersey, a pre-cursor to United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, died April 5, a published report said Tuesday.

Drench, 91, was a businessman who displayed his love of Israel through his wide array of philanthropic activities including serving as leader of the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, JCC MetroWest and the Jewish Historical Society of which he was a founding member, according to a NJJewishnews.com report.

In addition, he served as chair of Israel Bonds and was a member of the Lester Society, honoring those who committed $100,000 or more to the UJA Annual campaign, the report said.

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Max Kleinman, executive vice president/CEO of the Greater MetroWest federation said, “Dan was one of the most extraordinary leaders I’ve met. He had the unique ability to see the big picture while having both feet on the ground. He will be sorely missed.”

Drench, who lived in Verona but belonged to Temple B’nai Abraham in Livingston, died of congestive heart failure, his family said.

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A memorial service was held on Monday, April 8 at the  Livingston synagogue.


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