Remembering Joan Asher Liebreich (1937-2008)

By Jewish Review

You can’t talk about Jewish weddings in Portland without remembering Joan Liebreich. An active member of the National Council of Jewish Women and a dedicated volunteer for Vision Northwest, Liebreich facilitated countless weddings at Congregation Beth Israel during her tenure as program director. After leaving Beth Israel, Liebreich continued working privately as an event planner.

“She trained me on my first wedding,” says Jemi Kostiner Mansfield, now the congregation’s education and life cycle administrator. “She strove for and achieved a beautiful wedding. No bride was ever disappointed.”

“Joan was a very good organizer and a person people trusted,” Evelyn Maizels says about her sister. She liked people and particularly the young people at weddings. She was often invited to people’s homes after she married them.”