Helene Berman Karpa, 95, a third-generation native Washingtonian, died on March 20 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, of natural causes.
A lifelong leader and volunteer in Jewish and Zionist organizations, Helene devoted decades of service to Hadassah. She served as president of the Greater Washington Area Chapter of Hadassah from 1972 to 1975, was a past national vice president, and was a member of Hadassah’s National Board of Directors for 34 years. Over the course of her distinguished service, she held numerous leadership roles, including work with the Washington Task Force, Chair of Career Woman, and for 15 years, National Exhibit and Display Chair.
Helene retired from active volunteer leadership at Hadassah’s National Office in 2005, having overseen the communications department. In this role, she was responsible for the design and production of all National Hadassah art, print, digital, video and display materials — bringing creativity, clarity and professionalism to the organization’s public voice.
Deeply engaged in the Washington Jewish community, Helene served as President of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington from 1984 to 1986. She was a devoted member of Adas Israel Congregation, where her great-grandfather, Louis Garner, was a founding member.
In her retirement years, Helene remained intellectually active, pursuing advanced learning classes and becoming a dedicated attendee at the Johns Hopkins University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Raised in the District of Columbia, Helene attended Washington Public Schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1949. She went on to study at Marjorie Webster Junior College and later graduated cum laude from Ohio University in 1952 with a bachelor of fine arts degree. She was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority and Delta Phi Delta Honorary Art Fraternity.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Helene worked professionally as an interior decorator and a travel agent, careers that reflected her creativity, organization, and love of beauty and exploration.
Helene married Morton Karpa in 1953; he preceded her in death in 2002. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Karpa, Jennifer Karpa and Carol Karpa, and by her grandson, Sean Karpa.
Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.