Joyce S. Ottenheimer, a longtime active member of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation who was a volunteer leader in Reform Jewish governance, died Saturday at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson of cancer. She was 87.
"When you sat and talked with Joyce, it was about her family and lending her time and wisdom to Judaism and Baltimore Hebrew Congregation," said Rabbi Andrew Busch, who is head of the congregation. "During my tenure here, we always turned to Joyce for her sage advice."
The daughter of Arthur Sinsheimer and Beatrice Hirsch Sinsheimer, Joyce Sinsheimer was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she graduated from city public schools.
In 1949, she married Mose Ottenheimer 2nd, an insurance executive, and for years the couple lived on Wallis Avenue in Northwest Baltimore.
A licensed insurance broker, Mrs. Ottenheimer served from 1982 to 1992 as a volunteer member of the Maryland State Board for Professional Engineers and as a board member of the Maryland Advisory Committee of UNICEF.
But it was Judaism that came to define Mrs. Ottenheimer's life and her work.
She shared her leadership and organizational skills as president of the Mid-Atlantic Council Union for Reform Judaism, formerly the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, said Fronda J. Cohen, a daughter-in-law, who is a spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development.
Mrs. Ottenheimer had also served as president of the Federation of Jewish Women's Organizations of Maryland and was president of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, said Ms. Cohen.
"She was named a member for life of the Union for Reform Judaism for her decades of service to the national organization of Reform Jewish congregations," said her daughter-in-law, who lives in Pikesville.
"She was a vibrant force in the national reform Jewish movement, taking on many difficult governance assignments," said Ms. Cohen. "She was a natural leader, always willing to volunteer her time, skills and knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order."
At the Union for Reform Judaism, Mrs. Ottenheimer oversaw and directed the funding process for years, said Rabbi Busch.
"Joyce was known nationally," said Rabbi Busch. "And the way I'd describe her, I'd say she was always willing to do the hard tasks behind the scenes. She did not have to be out front on the stage. She was willing to remain in the backroom and do things in a fair and equitable way."
"She was an amazing lady, and the phone hasn't stopped ringing with people offering condolences," said Carol Hantof, who is a member of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and its receptionist.
"We call it the BHC family, and people feel like they belong to a family here. It's so nice to hear how sad they are and what a great loss it is and what a good friend she was," said Ms. Hantof.
"Joyce had a sharp sense of humor and she was so bright," recalled Rabbi Busch. "She was always willing to share an opinion but was not pushy."
In addition to serving as president of the congregation, Mrs. Ottenheimer was president of the Sisterhood.
Mrs. Ottenheimer was a longtime active member of the Suburban Club, where she enjoyed playing golf and bridge.
"Her creative skills included award-winning needlepoint works," said Ms. Cohen.
Before moving to the North Oaks retirement community near Owings Mills several years ago, Mrs. Ottenheimer had lived in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Ave.
In addition to her husband of 66 years and her daughter-in-law, survivors include two sons, Richard L. Ottenheimer of Pikesville and Jack L. Ottenheimer of Ashburn, Va.; a sister, Jane Kohn of Indianapolis; a nephew; three nieces; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Another son, Bruce Alan Ottenheimer, died in 1986.