Ruth Feinberg (z”l) was a longtime lay leader, volunteer, and donor in the Indianapolis Jewish community over many decades. Although she passed away earlier this year, her legacy lives on, and her love and dedication to the Jewish Federation will never be forgotten. 
During the later years of Feinberg’s life, she developed dementia. To remind her of who she was and her commitment to the Jewish community, her partner and her caregiver would play a legacy video that she recorded for a Federation program years ago.
According to her daughter, Marilyn Smith, this video would help her mother to remember her spirit. Smith said her mother had Primary Progressive Aphasia, a type of dementia that slowly robbed her of the ability to navigate her world in her final years.
Feinberg’s caregiver Hannah Sobrado described turning to Google to find something that would help Feinberg remember her life. They found a 2008 Federation legacy video and would play it through some of the tougher days.
“Sometimes Ruth would laugh and sometimes she would cry,” Sobrado said.
Smith added “No matter how frustrated or heartbroken she would feel at the loss of her world and abilities, watching the video would return her to this place where she recognized herself. She would listen and be filled with pride, joy and connection.”
Stan Talesnick was Feinberg’s longtime partner. They were both heavily involved with the Federation over many years. After their beloved spouses passed away, they both attended a 2005 Federation-led trip to Israel. It was this trip which sparked a closer relationship for Talesnick and Feinberg. And for the next 15 years, they shared a passion for many things, including their community and a commitment to the Jewish Federation. It was Talesnick’s very fitting idea to play this video during Feinberg’s funeral to include her legacy and commitment to her Jewish community. 
“The video portrayed her better than any words could describe,” he said. “Ruth was so all consuming and all loving and caring and so involved.”
Feinberg was born and raised in a heavily Jewish area in New York. Growing up, her family was very connected with their Jewish community. She had always been devoted to her Judaism. When she married her husband Arnie in 1972, they took pride in hosting all of the Jewish holidays and opening their home to everyone. She always had a loving and open heart, Smith said.
When the Feinbergs moved from Cleveland to Indianapolis in 1979, she immediately sought out her home here with the Jewish community and the Federation, just as she had done in Cleveland. 
“It was a place for her to feel open, and comfortable,” Smith said. “She felt welcomed and connected quickly. In Indianapolis, Feinberg served on the Federation Board and several Federation committees. And up until her final years, she continued to volunteer for the Annual Campaign, helping raise the important funds her community needed. She also worked to organize Jewish women’s support for reproductive rights and promoted dialogue between women of different faiths, races and ethnicities. Feinberg’s legacy will forever be intertwined with her love of Judaism and her Indianapolis Jewish community.
Visit https://youtu.be/JYLWdDF1xTM to view Feinberg’s legacy video.

About Stan Talesnick

Talesnick has been involved with the Jewish Federation since the early 1960s, volunteering for many fundraising efforts. He served as President from 1989-91 and was chairman of the Annual Campaign prior to that. The earliest planting of the seed for his involvement was when his father collected money for the Jewish National Fund in the 1930s. Talesnick has also been involved with B’nai B’rith, the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, and Anti-Defamation League. He remains an active volunteer for and donor to the Annual Campaign.