By the Brown Family, with an introduction by Emma Driban
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Few people in the Jewish community in Delaware embodied “Jewish joy and pride” quite as strongly as Louis (Lou) and Faith Brown. They were devoted members of Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Congregation for over 60 years, contributing to countless programs, High Holiday services, holiday celebrations, and community gatherings over the years.
Though Lou passed away in 2020, he was never far from Faith’s mind, and she shared many stories during my time as editor about the kind of man he was. Dedicated. Loving. A true mensch. Faith was no different. Her love knew no bounds, and she made sure it was felt through this community and this publication.
Faith wrote dozens of poems and articles for Jewish Living Delaware in these last few years, and in them, gave a piece of herself. She enthralled readers with her ways with verse, brought Israel to our pages with stories of her and Lou’s times spent in service, and showed many of us what it means to truly age with grace as she shared her inner meditations.
Faith and Lou’s loss will leave an indelible mark on this community, but their legacy will live on through those who were blessed to know them.
In their memory, members of the Brown family share what it means to carry on their spirit.
Lou & Faith
Marla Brown Fogelman (Daughter)
My parents’ love of words and wordplay no doubt put me on a path to becoming a writer and editor. From Mom, I learned to spot spelling errors. From Dad, I learned to read words backwards! But for me, one of their most important legacies was their exuberant embrace of community involvement, which I believe, has led me to take on roles in various synagogues, Jewish day school parent groups, and civic groups—and finding meaning and connection in doing so.
Devorah Edelman (Granddaughter)
My Bubby and Zayda not only lived long enough to get to know their three great-grand-daughters—Allie, Mia, and Kayla—but Bubby also got to meet her great-grandson Alex, who was named for Zayda. Bubby didn’t have to wonder what her legacy was. She could see it. We could see it: A love of dance, Zionist summer camps, a deep pull toward Israel. She shared stories, recipes, and songs which I have passed along to my children. Most of all, she showed us how to be fully yourself and to love deeply for a lifetime.
Allie – Kayla – Mia – Alex
Jeremy Fogelman (Grandson)
The way I connect to my grandparents is how I carry their lessons forward in how I deal with other people. From them both, but particularly from my grandfather, I learned how to entertain crowds, to sing, joke, and connect with other people in a medley of Jewish and American influences. From my grandmother I learned the joy of making people happy with great food, too, and a love of reading, learning, and teaching. Every time I can pass along any of these joyous feelings, it reminds me of how much I learned from them.
Benjamin Fogelman (Grandson)
Bubby has always been an inspiration to me. From her passion for music, dance, and performance to her love of education and culture, and of course to her amazing homemade lasagna. She inspired me to love life and to always keep celebrating it. I love and miss her very much and will remem-ber her always.
Beth Brown (Daughter)
Here is a short list of how my parents have influenced me and my life . . . things that I love and feel confident about/comfortable with because of their support and modeling:
- Music/Singing—as the cantor at our “Frontier Shul”
in Northern California for the past 20+ years, and performing Hebrew and Yiddish songs with my husband - Writing—as a professional writer, editor, and excellent speller!
- Travel—throughout the U.S. and abroad (twice to Israel)
- Hebrew language; Israeli songs and dances—a lifelong joy
- Humor and Storytelling—informally and in performance
- Solid, long-term friendships and relationships
David Brown (Son)
Our parents, Faith and Lou Brown, were “good-will ambassadors” in the community and on trips. They welcomed visitors to our Shul, Elder Hostels, and other events. They had excellent attitudes when traveling. I learned a valuable les-son from them, which is that you travel with the expectation that you will have a great time more often than not. They would enjoy a trip on which other people would complain about this or that. If a “glitch” occurred, they dealt with it. I applied this valuable lesson as a trip leader with the Dela-ware Nature Society. I believe it made me a better trip leader. Thank you, Mom and Dad!
Emma Brown (Granddaughter)
Bubby and Zayda taught us that if you keep busy, you keep going, even when life is hard, and that we should be proud of our accom-plishments large and small—they certainly were! Zayda danced as long as he could, and Bubby taught educational programming. I have an irresistible pull towards the art-istry of singing and dance choreography, the beauty of trees, and sharing knowledge with others—greatly fostered by my grand-parents, through my parents who bonded over these very same things, to become the essential elements of my life today. For this I am very grateful.
Tess Brown (Granddaughter)
Robert Brown (Grandson)
