Suzanne Margot Lempert Kaufer
Suzanne “Suzy” Kaufer transitioned peacefully on Monday, June 18, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Suzy was the devoted mother of Jacob “Coby” Lempert Kaufer, a student at Dos Pueblos High School’s Engineering Academy.
Born January 20, 1957 in New York City, she is also survived by family in NYC including her mother Ruth Lempert, sister Melody Reed, brother Brad Lempert, his wife Christina and their 4 children: Sammy, Ally, Jackie and Maddy.
Suzy made strong connections and had a big impact in the Santa Barbara Jewish community in the last several years. She produced the Jewish Festival in Oak Park in 2011 and 2012. With her son Coby, she created the TV show Jewish Life with Suzy Kaufer, where she interviewed various leaders of the Jewish community in Santa Barbara.
Suzy loved life and it showed in all she did. She celebrated with music, including playing bass guitar in the CBB Temple Band, she loved to dance and was an active learner at Chabad of S. Barbara, where her son Coby celebrated his bar mitzvah. She taught an exercise class at the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, Cardio Dance for All, which integrated seniors and individuals with special needs. When the dance class came to an end in 2011, she was honored with an award by the Alpha Resource Center. Suzy was a successful stockbroker and an executive recruiter.
She and former husband Michael, produced Ojai World Music Festival (Bowlful of Blues) and the Blue Monday concert series, where she played on stage with world renowned musicians. Suzy held a World Women’s Distance Record for Frisbee. She was an avid roller skater and guitar player. She attended the University of Boulder, CO where she developed her own major, “The Spirituality of Sports.” Suzy was exceptionally proud of her son Coby, and fostered his love of video technology/learning, and his deep commitment to his Judaism and the SB Jewish Community.
She was a beloved, dear friend and touched many people’s lives. She will be remembered and missed.
Memorial contributions may be made in Suzy’s memory to Coby Kaufer College Fund, P.O. Box 3414, Santa Barbara, CA 93130.