Elsa Abrahamovic, Holocaust Survivor, Dies At 89

Courtesy of Layton's Funeral Home

A Forked River woman who survived the Holocaust by living with a German family during the war has died at the age of 89.

Elsa Abrahamovic died on Friday, June 8, 2018. Born in Czechoslovakia, Elsa lost most of her family, including her parents and her brother. Her incredible story of bravery and survival is recounted in the book, "Say The Name," written by her cousin Judith Sherman regarding their war time experiences.

After the war she wound up in London during the youth transports, where she eventually met Samuel Abrahamovic, the man who would later become her husband. He came to the United Sates, first joined the Army, and sent for the love of his life, Elsa to join him in America. They made a life together and eventually settled in New Jersey.

Sam and Elsa purchased the Captain's Inn Restaurant in Forked River in 1969,where they were the proprietors for nearly 40 years. She was a loving wife, mother, and doting grandmother who spoke more than five different languages.

Elsa is preceded in death by her parents and brother who were killed during the Holocaust; her sister Mela Gill of Israel and her late husband, Samuel Abrahamovic. Elsa is also survived by her daughter Debbie Abrahamovic Kay and son-in-law Bryan Kay of Forked River, her daughter Stella Constandaki of Toms River and her grandchildren Kyle, Nicole and her husband Daniel Ertle, Shelby Constandaki and Alexandra Kay.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Congregation B'nai Israel Educational Endowment Fund, Congregation N'nai Israel, 1488 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ 08753 or Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, 10495 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90025, www.mazon.org.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to the incredible men and women who work as home health aides, in particular, Paul Atta Jamson, who became a member of our family as he cared for both Samuel and Elsa and allowed them to die with dignity and privacy both cherished, and to Layton's Home For Funerals, Forked River, for their support in Elsa's final days.

Photo: Courtesy of Shutterstock