It is my very sad duty to share the tragic news of the loss of Alex (Sasha) Sternberg at sea.  Alex, along with his wife Helen, daughter Alina and her husband Judah were visiting their son and brother, Pasha, in South Africa the week of May 7. Pasha has been living in Cape Town pursuing his studies in history and political science during the Spring semester.

On May 10, the Sternberg family, as reported in Independent News & Media, “had walked down the steep cliff path to Dias Beach, the beautiful white stretch of sand between Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Alex was braving the icy waters when he found himself in trouble while his helpless family looked on.”

The search and recovery effort continues as of May 18.  To date, it has involved the South African National Sea Rescue Institute, Police divers and K9 units, National Park rangers, as well as community volunteers.  According to the Sternberg family, the support and commitment of the South African people involved in the search mission have been extraordinary. 

The Sternberg (Alex, Helen, Pasha and Alina) family arrived from the former Soviet Union in 1991, part of the refugee resettlement work undertaken by the Madison Jewish Community Council and Jewish Social Services in the late 1980s through the early part of the new century.  The Sternberg’s arrived with Alex’s sister, Julia Krichevsky, and her family including her husband Alex and their children Boris and Luba.  Helen’s parents, Genrikh and Galina Babich and Alex’s parents, Lillian Birukova and Alexander Sternberg (Sr.), joined their children and grandchildren in Madison two years later.

The Sternberg and Krichevsky families have, since their arrival, become integral parts of MJCC, JSS and the larger Jewish community.

Helen worked for MJCC as a receptionist during her early years in Madison and has been a member of the JSS Board of Directors since 2003.  Her father, Genrikh, writes the Russian column in each issue of Madison Jewish News .  He, too, serves on the JSS Board of Directors.  Alex and Helen’s children, Pasha and Alina, attended Camp Shalom with both later becoming part of the Camp Shalom staff.  Pasha went on to join the Camp Shalom administrative staff and has also been a long-time substitute teacher at Gan HaYeled.  His cousins, Boris and Luba Krichevsky, also attended Camp Shalom and have been a part of its staff. Boris succeeded his cousin Pasha as Machsan (supplies) Manager and he, too, has been a regular Gan HaYeled substitute teacher.

Our hearts and our souls ache for the entire family at this time.  Yet, we hope the loving embrace which this Jewish community has given them from the moment of their arrival 15 years ago may be of some comfort and some solace at this horrible time in their lives.  That’s what families do . . . and the Sternberg’s and Krichevsky’s are truly a very important part of the Madison Jewish family.

Messages of condolence may be sent to Sternberg home, 317 N Gammon Rd, Madison 53717.

May Alex’s memory be for a blessing.  May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion.