Condolences to the family of Nathaniel (Tany) Paul Berman, 78, who died on July 1 after a 14-month bout with cancer. He is perhaps best remembered as the man who spearheaded the prestigious 100th anniversary Manhattan tribute to Al Jolson in May 1985. The tribute included celebrity historians, a celebrity Master of Ceremonies and tributes far and wide. Even Mayor Ed Koch declared that week "Al Jolson Week" in New York City.
Raised an Orthodox Jew in Brooklyn, New York, Tany attended Yeshiva Elementary School and continued to Midwood High School so he could continue his Hebrew studies. After graduating high school in 1963, Tany enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology where he earned a two-year degree in textile design.
Two years to the day after President Kennedy was assassinated (11-22-65), Tany was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1965 where he served as an assistant chaplain after basic training. He served in Vietnam from July 1966 through June 1967, where Tany was in charge of weekly services, including making sure that everything stayed kosher, and helping in the preparation of the fallen Jewish soldiers’ bodies in accordance with Jewish law. As a last act before leaving Vietnam, Tany conducted the Passover Seder on June 8, 1967.
After his honorable discharge, Tany continued his Jewish studies and traveled to different synagogues stateside as a cantor on high holy days.
In the 1970s he worked in fashion design and wholesale clothing. It was during this time that Tany’s love and admiration for Al Jolson culminated in him becoming heavily involved with The International Al Jolson Society (IAJS). Tany’s substantial involvement with the IAJS resulted in two huge Jolson Conventions: One in New York and the other in Los Angeles. Heeven produced an Al Jolson record called “Al Jolson On Glass.”
Later in life, Tany continued working for himself most of the time as a traveling salesman in clothing and eventually changed over to home decor. He retired in 2009.
Tany involved himself with Chabad Nashville around this time with helping lead prayer services and helping in with the physical construction of the new synagogue. After retiring he worked for a short time driving a school bus, then worked for Gallatin Tennessee Head Start preschool. He loved having the opportunity to be a positive role model for the kids there as much as they loved being around "Mr. Tany."
During the summer, he worked at the YMCA Camp Widjiwagan. That was cut short in 2011 when his wife of then 12 years was diagnosed with cancer. He then spent his time taking care of her and working at Panera Bread in Hendersonville, Tenn., where they lived. Following her recovery, they made multiple trips to [Text Wrapping Break]Englewood, Fla. Their final trip together with the entire family was in 2021. Tashia passed in September 2022.
Tany was also preceded in death by his father, Alexander Berman, and his mother, Hilda Berman. He is survived his son, Dale (Samantha Berman) of Portland Tenn., daughter, Lindsey Berman (Jason Waller) of Louisville Ky, and son, Alexander Berman of Hendersonville; grandchildren, Megan Sacco, Dalton Berman, Christopher Peppers, Kayleigh Peppers, and Trae Waller.
Condolences to the family of Louis Lipschutz.
Condolences to the family of Anne Schreiber.
Condolences to the family of Stephen Ross Shulman, D.D.S. (Shopsi Rachmiel) who did on June 21.He is survived by his wife, Marie C. Shulman; sons, Jason R. Shulman (Nicole J.) and Jonathan D. Shulman (Katherine F.); daughter, Rebekah L. Shulman; sister, Phyllis S. Shulman; grandchildren, Eva B. Shulman, River J. Shulman, Everett R. Shulman and Vivian F. Shulman.
Condolences to the family of Richard Marvin Stolman, 73, who died on July 4 at his home in Oceanside, Calif., surrounded by his loved ones.
A native of Nashville, "Rick" was born on September 14, 1950. He attended Peabody Demonstration School through high school. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelors degree in business. He pursued graduate studies in architecture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
In 1974, Rick married Linda Goodman Stolman. They lived in Houston, where Rick worked as an architect and they welcomed their daughter Whitney in 1982. In 1983, Rick and his family moved back to Nashville to begin an exciting career in commercial development with his father. He welcomed a second daughter, Erica, in 1986. Over the next 25 years, Rick went on to have many successful careers ventures with Dovebar ice cream, Big Chill Distributors, and M & M Mars.
Rick retired in 2010, and enjoyed his life on the West Coast, between California and Nevada. He enjoyed warm weather, the excitement of Vegas, and his beloved dog Riley. He enjoyed blackjack, playing pool, a good spicy Bloody Mary, and being with his adoring family.
He is survived by his daughter, Whitney Stolman and her partner, Robert Vogeler; daughter, Erica Stolen Dowdy (Zack); grandsons, Grayson Vogeler and Cody Vogeler,; his beloved ex-wife, Linda Stolman; and his brother, Doug Stolman. He is predeceased by his parents, Edward Stolman and Luas Olshine Stolman.
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