Jackie Gothard

The family of Jackie Gothard is heartbroken to announce her passing on May 21, 2018 at the age of 83. She is beloved by her husband of 60 years, Judge Sol Gothard, her five children - Yaacov, Eddie and his wife Blayne, Andy and his wife Julie, Shayna and her husband Eric, Sander and his wife Julie. Jackie was devoted to her 11 grandchildren - Aimee, Taylor, Ben, Daniel, Tara, Sidnie, Gabriel, Mikayla, Maya, Lindsay, and Jeremy - and great grandson August. Jackie’s parents were Ralph and Etta Pressner. Her younger sister and lifelong best friend is Freida Posnock, wife of Leonard Posnock. She was blessed to be a member of the Kansas and Pressner families, with countless cousins, nieces and nephews. A proud native of New Orleans, Jackie and Freida grew up above the family business, Pressner’s Kosher Delicatessen, where they and their friends were frequent visitors to the famous pickle barrel. Jackie attended Fortier High School where she played first chair violin in the school orchestra, as well as second chair in the All-State Orchestra. While in High School she was on a synchronized swimming team coached by Roy Brenner. She excelled in various sports including volleyball, softball and basketball. After graduating at the age of 16, Jackie attended Sophie Newcomb College, graduating second in her class with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She drove her Chevy convertible with her father, Ralph, to Cleveland, Ohio, to attend the Western Reserve University Graduate School of Social Work, where she earned a Master's Degree in Social Work. There she met fellow MSW graduate student, the love of her life, Sol. Jackie won Sol’s heart on the basketball court by making a perfect half-court shot. Upon graduation, Jackie and Sol came to New Orleans where they were married at Beth Israel Synagogue on Carondelet Street. Jackie worked as a social worker for Child Protective Services of the New Orleans Department of Welfare for several years. Later she was an active travel agent, specializing in trips to Israel. She was devoted to many volunteer organizations, including Hadassah, Jewish Family Services (where she was active in the teen suicide prevention program), Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and the New Orleans Post of the Jewish War Veterans of America. Her passion was Congregation Beth Israel, where she served as the first female president. Her term coincided with the 100th Anniversary of the synagogue, and then its destruction in Hurricane Katrina. She was the moving force - the inspiration - for the rebuilding of Beth Israel in its new home, alongside Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie. Jackie was honored as a People’s Health Champion in 2007, at a New Orleans Saints game, for her work and success in rebuilding Congregation Beth Israel. Jackie and Sol loved to travel - hiking the US National Parks, salmon fishing in Alaska, walking the Great Wall of China, visiting the Inns of Court in London, and especially hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville and listening to “their” bluegrass music. She visited Israel over two dozen times. Her love of travel, Israel, and working with the youth community culminated in her leading six-week long summer youth trips to Israel from 1980 - 1986. Jackie was the strength that Sol relied upon in his political campaigns for Juvenile Court Judge in 1972, Appellate Court Judge in 1986, and Appellate Court re-election in 1999. Jackie and Sol often said, however, that their proudest accomplishments - far exceeding judgeships and professional achievements - were their children and grandchildren. Among them they have earned  10 college and graduate degrees, and have established businesses and professional practices. More importantly, their children and grandchildren bring them joy through their love of Judaism and devotion to a variety of cultural, environmental, civic, and charitable causes. Jackie - our “Bubbe” - will be sorely missed, but will live forever in the hearts of her devoted Sol - her “Honey” - her entire family, and those on whom she made a positive impact through her too short years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Congregation Beth Israel. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend services at CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL, 4004 West Esplanade Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana, on Thursday morning, May 24, 2018 at 11:00. Burial will follow in Beth Israel Cemetery, New Orleans. An online guestbook is available at www.tharpsontheimerfh.com.

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