Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, we received the sad news today of the passing of our founding and longtime member, Janis Koike. Janis’ daughter, Sara Abiusi, let us know today that Janis made her final journey on Thursday night, March 5. After decades of service to our synagogue and support to our community Janis moved to Virginia to be near her family in 2022, but remained in contact with us after that time.
Janis was so many things to Temple Beth Shalom: a religious school teacher for children and adults, an entertaining and thought-provoking speaker, participant in our religious and social activities, and for many years an important organizer of our communications and technology. She was skilled in languages such as Hebrew, Spanish, and Ladino, and shared her knowledge with us. She was a congregational president, and volunteered in the community with the Guardian ad Litem program and with the Winter Haven Public Library. We miss her dearly but her gifts will live on.
Our hearts tonight are with Janis’ daughter and son, extended family, and friends. Her funeral services will be in Winter Haven, and we will have those details to you when available so we can remember Janis together.
HaMamkom yenachem etchem b’toch sh’ar avelai Tziyon v’Yerushalayim.
May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Baruch Dayan haEmet: Janis Koike
March 7, 2026 by urjtbs • Community
Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, we received the sad news today of the passing of our founding and longtime member, Janis Koike. Janis’ daughter, Sara Abiusi, let us know today that Janis made her final journey on Thursday night, March 5. After decades of service to our synagogue and support to our community Janis moved to Virginia to be near her family in 2022, but remained in contact with us after that time.