Adina Bender

Obituary for Adina Bender

 

November 27, 1938 – January 4, 2026  

 

“A teacher is one who has a program, fulfills it… and feels that he has done his job. An educator tries to give children something else in addition: Spirit.” – Golda Meir

 

Adina Bender, who taught Hebrew and Judaic Studies at VBS synagogue and Day School for fifty years, was more than a teacher; she was a passionate and talented educator. Over the span of her career, she inspired thousands of students to carry forward a lifelong love of Judaism, Hebrew language and Eretz Yisrael. With her megawatt smile, resounding laugh, unflagging enthusiasm, and deep love for her subject, Adina made each student feel seen and special. She had a remarkable ability to sustain these relationships: Parents who had once been her students would run into her in the aisles of a neighborhood supermarket, and she would recognize them instantly, greeting them by their Hebrew name from second grade, while also greeting their child, who would be her current second grade student. 

 

The daughter of Shmuel and Pnina Leitman, Adina was born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel. The second of four children (Gidon, Adina, Aliza, Aryeh) Adina attended Orthodox Jewish Day school through 12th grade. She then joined the Nahal Division of the IDF, and served mainly at Nachal Oz, (a kibbutz in the current Gaza envelope which was attacked in the massacre of October 7th.) 

 

While serving in the IDF, Adina met Ilan Bender. They were married on February 26, 1958. Their 67 years of married life were filled with love, laughter and much adventure, as they moved to Los Angeles in 1959 to continue their studies. There, Adina’s pioneering spirit carried over from her early days in Israel to Valley Beth Shalom synagogue in Encino, then a small, newly founded congregation. There she, along with other professionals, helped grow the institution and community that has made an impact on social change and connection throughout the Jewish world. Throughout the years, Adina managed to balance a demanding career in education with the demands of motherhood: First she studied at the University of Judaism with her mentor Rabbi Benzion Bergman, then began her fifty year teaching career, while raising her three children in the VBS community.

 

Although she gave her all to each and every one of her students, Adina’s most treasured role was as a mother to Dr. Gil (Isabel) Bender, Ron (Donna) Bender, and Rabbi Karen Bender. The joy of her life was being grandmother (Safta) to Ashley (Danny), Talia (Ryan), Ryan (Margaret), Ari (Arielle), Juliet, Holden (fiancée Phi), Bot, and Shoshie, step-grandmother to Diego and Chris, and great grandmother to Liam, Kenzie, Lily, Libi and Caden.  

 

May her memory bring comfort to all those who knew her, and may her legacy be to continue to inspire passion for learning and compassion for people in the world she leaves for future generations. To instill a love of learning in a child, to see the spark in their eyes as they discover their connection to the Jewish people and the land of Israel, is to honor the spirit of Adina, whose spirit and spark as an educator and role model will eternally shine. 

 

Her funeral will be held on Thursday, January 8th at 10:00am at Mount Sinai, Hollywood Hills. Everyone is invited to the home of Ron and Donna Bender, 4630 Noeline Avenue, Encino following the funeral. 

 

Shiva on Thursday Night, Jan 8th at 7:00pm will also be Ron and Donna's home. 

 

Shiva on Saturday, Jan 10th at 7:00pm will be at the home of Rabbi Karen Bender and family,17761 Erwin Street, Encino.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to the Adina Bender VBS Day School Scholarship Fund at:

https://www.vbs.org/form/bender-scholarship-fund