Gary Steven Hirschberg

October 8, 1955 - July 28, 2026

Gary Hirschberg passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, following an almost nine-year battle with cancer. He was a devoted husband to Beth Hirschberg (née Spiro, PHS '79), father to his three daughters Danielle, Carly, and Alexa, grandfather to 6 beautiful grandchildren (Jack, Ellie, Maya, Avery, Libby, and Nathan), a community leader, mentor, and friend whose warmth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to others touched countless lives.

Gary had an extraordinary gift for bringing people together, making lasting connections, and leaving every community he touched stronger than he found it. Whether through his work, his synagogue, his alma mater, or his lifelong friendships, Gary invested wholeheartedly in the people and organizations he loved. He didn't simply belong to a community, he helped build it. His impact extended far beyond his own family, leaving an enduring mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Gary was deeply committed to leadership, service, and strengthening the communities he loved. A graduate of Lehigh University in 1978, Gary was devoted to his alma mater. While at college, he was the chairman of Student Activities Council and brought performers to campus including Billy Joel and Kenny Loggins. As an alumnus, he attended countless sporting events and especially loved bringing friends and family to Lehigh tailgates and football games each fall.

His commitment to Jewish life was especially meaningful. He served as President of the YJCC in Washington Township from 2003 to 2006 and was a devoted leader at Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley, where he served as President from 2008 to 2010. During his presidency, Gary helped guide the congregation through important growth and transition including the hiring of its longtime Executive Director.

Gary’s service to Temple Emanuel continued for many years beyond his presidency. He chaired the House & Grounds Committee from 2010 to 2014 and has served as Chair of Ritual since 2014 and Chair of the Cemetery Committee since 2022. He led both the Cantor Search Committee (2014–2015) and Rabbi Search Committee (2015–2016), served on the Religious School Director Search Committee, the Nominating Committee numerous times, and the Finance Committee for 20 years. In his final years, he remained actively engaged as a member of the Strategic Planning Subcommittees for Ritual and House & Grounds.

Beyond Temple Emanuel, Gary was dedicated to The Jewish Home, Israel Bonds, AIPAC, and other causes that reflect his lifelong commitment to Jewish values, community, and Israel. Gary had a deep-rooted passion for sports, loved collecting college T-shirts, enjoyed traveling with his family, and would ride any roller coaster or water slide.

Gary’s legacy was defined not only by the positions he held, but by the impact he made. Gary will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, his unwavering loyalty, his generosity of spirit, and his remarkable ability to make everyone feel like they belonged. He believed deeply in family, community, and giving back, and he led not only through the positions he held, but by the example he set every day. His legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the friendships he nurtured, and, most importantly, in the family he loved beyond measure.

Donations in his memory may be made to his beloved Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley. https://www.tepv.org/payment.php

Interment at Cedar Park - Beth El Cemetery, 735 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652. 

https://www.schoemschapel.com/obituaries/Gary-Hirschberg?obId=49160312