Obituary

HAL BRAFF

Hal Braff learned early in life that being Jewish meant more than just religious observance. "Going to service was not sufficient" he said. "Make the world a better place, that is your responsibility." That statement became the mantra reflecting his remarkable life. On Saturday, December 1, 2018. Harold I. Braff peacefully passed away following a long illness. In a lifetime spanning 84 years, Hal's personal and professional accomplishments were bountiful. A leader, visionary and humanitarian, he was passionate about his family, career, and volunteer endeavors. And he cared for people who lacked the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives resulting from inequality and intolerance. Hal was born in Newark, NJ and raised in the Weequahic section, attending Weequahic High School. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1956 and received a law degree from Rutgers University in 1959. He practiced law for 59 years, first at Braff, Harris and Sukoneck, and then as Counsel to Margulies Wind. He was a well-respected litigator and mediator. He was also an adjunct professor of negotiations at Rutgers Law School, the University of San Diego Law School, and for the MBA students at Peking University in Beijing. In the 1960s, Hal served as Counsel for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). He received the Daniel J. O'Hern Professionalism Award conferred by the New Jersey State Bar and the Richard K. Jeydel Award for Excellence in ADR. Hal was very involved in the American Inns of Court movement, an organization dedicated to teaching professionalism to young lawyers. He established a network of 23 Inns in New Jersey and he received their highest award which was presented to him in the United States Supreme Court. Hal was also a member of the IOLTA Fund Board of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation serving as President. Hal is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Elaine; his children, Adam and (Michelle), Joshua and (Jill), Zach, Shoshana (deceased), Jennifer Gelman, and Jessica Kirson (Danielle Sweeney-Kirson); 10 grandchildren; and Hal's sister, Susan Sayers (Gary). Funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 11:30am at Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039. Donations in Hal's memory can be made to the Weequahic High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 494, Newark, NJ 07101.

Published by New York Times on Dec. 4, 2018.

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