HON. WILLIAM LIPKIN Judge William Lipkin, a pillar of the Southern New Jersey Jewish community and a distinguished judge with a long list of honors, is being remembered as a man of the highest character and one devoted to the Jewish community and the legal profession. Judge Lipkin passed away

June 11 at his home in Pennsauken. He was 100 years old. Those who knew Judge Lipkin recalled his dedicated service, his warmth, and his character.

"A number of words could be used to describe Bill Lipkin— honesty, integrity, dedication, vision, patriot, and they would all be correct," said Stuart Alperin, executive director of the Raymond & Gertrude R. Saltzman Foundation and past CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. He added, however, that the word that really sums up Judge Lipkin for him is "mensch."

Alperin said that Wikipedia defines a mensch as "a person of integrity and honor," but William Lipkin brought so much more to the word, according to Alperin. "Mensch means a person whose entire persona is composed of goodness. That was Bill." Alperin added that he would be remembered for his service to the community, to the legal system, and to the country. "But to that should be added…because he was a true mensch."

"He was very warm, very friendly, and had a great sense of humor," said Alan Wechsler, president of the Saltzman Foundation Board of Trustees and past president of the Jewish Federation. He added that Judge Lipkin set an example for others to follow.

"He was meticulous in his sense of obligation to honor the written rules," said Wechsler. He described Judge Lipkin as fair, but definite in his views and thoughts. "He was clear-thinking and protective of the written word."

Wechsler said that Judge Lipkin had the foresight to move the Jewish Federation and JCC from Camden to the suburbs. He also was extremely generous with both his wisdom and his money, according to Wechsler. "He was a wise peacemaker.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and its law school, Judge Lipkin went into practice with his brother Joseph. In 1941, following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of captain. In 1947, he received a Presidential Citation from Harry Truman for his wartime service. He was active in the Jewish War Veterans, serving as president of the John F. Furer Post and as JWV New Jersey State Commander in 1949-1950.

Following the war, he returned to his legal practice, but was soon offered a position as a judge of the Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, a position he held for 37 years. The gallery in the Federal Court House in Camden is named the "Judge William Lipkin Gallery." Following his retirement from the bench in 1984, he joined the law firm of Davis, Reberkenny & Abramowitz, which later merged with Cozen & O'Connor.

Judge Lipkin's legal career was matched by his devotion to the Jewish community. He served as president of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey from 1954-1956 and was instrumental in the development of the Jewish community. During his term in office, the JCC was built on Rt. 70 in Cherry Hill. It later moved to Springdale Rd. He also spearheaded the creation of the JCC Camps at Medford. The Jewish Federation Senior Housing & Healthcare's Dubin and Gesher Houses on Chapel Ave. sit on a campus named in his honor.

An active member of Cong. Sons of Israel, at which he became a bar mitzvah in 1921, he was honored at the synagogue with a testimonial dinner. In an autobiographical essay he wrote, he said that among his most treasured relationships were those with Rabbis Riff and Rothman of Sons of Israel. During his lifetime, he was also honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Judge Lipkin served as the founding president of the Raymond & Gertrude R. Saltzman Foundation, which was established by Ruth Saltzman to primarily benefit the elderly and disadvantaged children.

He was the husband of the late Betty (nee Stonberg) Lipkin. Son of the late Jacob and Tamara (nee Polansky) Lipkin. Brother of the late Lillian Lipkin, the late Joseph Lipkin, Esq., the late Eva Lipkin, the late Rose Lipkin, the late Hannah Baer and the late Herman Lipkin. Uncle of Carol Cutler, Bernice Carpel and the late Sandy Glass. Also survived by great-nieces and greatnephews. .