Obituary: Jerome Chazen, Fashion Executive And Philanthropist

NYACK, NY — Rockland resident Jerome Chazen, a former chief executive officer and chairman at Liz Claiborne, died Sunday. He was 94.

In addition to his significance in the fashion industry — WWD called him "one of the architects of the apparel giant’s phenomenal growth in the ’80s" — he was also a philanthropist with a particular care for his community.

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County issued a statement Monday:

We share, with sorrow, news of the passing of our friend, mentor and philanthropic exemplar, Jerome (Jerry) Chazen. Jerry was a beacon of leadership and wisdom. He passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, February 6 at the age of 94. Jerry's impact on Rockland can be seen both in the institutions our community depends on every day - including the JCC Rockland, the Center for Safety and Change, the Rockland Jewish Community Campus, the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County, and others - and in the priorities met and challenges overcome over the last 50 years.

Federation co-President Steve Gold, who has known Jerry for decades, noted “Jerry and his wife, Simona, established a standard of generosity that we are all called to emulate to honor his life and legacy.”

Jerry, a resident of Nyack, was highly regarded as a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Liz Claiborne. Today, we honor his commitment to inspiring generations of Columbia University business school graduates, as well as his philanthropic leadership of New York institutions including the 92nd Street Y, Metropolitan Opera, and Museum of Arts and Design. Jerry served in the US Navy during the Second World War, and in 1949 married Simona, who became his partner in every endeavor. He was well known for his willingness to share his hard-earned business experience with all who sought his advice.

Past Federation President Bob Silverman a longtime friend of the Chazen family, conveyed the thoughts of the community. “We’ve lost a great friend and a committed leader,” he said. “But Jerry always thought ahead and helped prepare us with his involvement in encouraging and fostering a new generation to carry forward the mission and responsibilities he so generously supported.”

Marcy Pressman, Federation co-President, shared, “When our new CEO Ari Rosenblum came on board a few short months ago, we had an opportunity to speak at length with Jerry. He conveyed to us his belief that the Federation he so avidly supported must play a central role in building bridges within and beyond our Jewish community. He was certain that in building those bridges between all of us - all of our agencies, all of our congregations, and all of our families - we could face the future with confidence, and that in building the future together we would be greater than the sum of our individual parts.”

Today we mourn, and we comfort Simona, Kathy, Louise, David and their families. As we say in the Jewish tradition, ‘May the Almighty comfort all of them among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.’ May his memory be a blessing.