(This was written by Margo's husband Amiel Schotz.)
Margo was born in DC and grew up in Chevy Chase. After completing her B.A. at Penn, where she was very active in folk dancing, the balalaika orchestra, and Jewish student affairs, she took her Master's degree in learning disabilities at B.U., spending a year in Israel in the middle. Upon graduation, she returned to Israel in 1974, where she taught a special education class in a development town, married and gave birth to daughter Roni (now a clinical psychologist, married with two lovely daughters of her own, Mia Margo, 3, and Ella Bee, 9 months). Margo later divorced, and in 1983, married Amiel Schotz (originally from Scotland), also an enthusiastic "folkie".
Margo left teaching and worked as a scientific editor/translator for the Ben-Gurion University Social Studies Unit in the Sde Boqer campus. There she began her work for local Bedouin, under Professor Gideon Kressel. Later, she moved to the main campus in Beersheba where she worked, until she retired, in the Center for Bedouin Education and Development. She acted as liaison for various donors in the States and Germany, edited the newsletter, and materially helped the several hundred Bedouin students studying at BGU, especially the girls, many of whom had special requirements due to family commitments and cultural traditions.
Margo also ran a family business with her husband, in academic editing, translating and typesetting. Her shelves have a most impressive display of books and journals she had prepared for publishing.
Having been brought up in a flourishing Conservative congregation, Ohr Kodesh in Chevy Chase (her dad was a highly professional part-time cantor), she maintained her activism in Israel, being a co-founder of two Conservative congregations, in Beersheba and in Metar (where she was the first president).
Her love of folk music never ceased and over the years she and Amiel hosted many house concerts for visiting singers. They were also active in the Light Opera Group of the Negev (LOGON), performing Gilbert and Sullivan and other musical theater. In her later years, she became a skilled potter, producing a splendid array of pots, bowls, cups and plates. She maintained a close friendship with many of her fellow students and dancers in the States, visiting them when she and Amiel were on their frequent trips to the US.
It was on their return from such a trip in the fall of 2011 that Margo became ill and only then was she diagnosed with cancer in an advanced stage. She received devoted care from her husband, family, doctors and her many friends. Just three months later, on February 28, 2012, in her hospital bed installed in her living room, with Roni and Amiel by her side, her heart simply stopped. That very morning she had been delighted to see ultrasound pictures of her unborn granddaughter. She and Amiel had been blessed with more than 30 years of love and companionship.
In her undemonstrative way, Margo contributed greatly to her many circles of friends and colleagues. She touched and enriched the lives of all who knew her. It is no wonder that despite the inclement weather, more than 200 mourners attended her funeral, coming from abroad and far parts of the country.
Thank you so much for your comments on her meaningful life. she was a friend since I was 10 years old and I heard about her illness from Roz White. She was such a kind person I am sure she is greatly missed.
Michael Gerver
(This was written by Margo's husband Amiel Schotz.)
Margo was born in DC and grew up in Chevy Chase. After completing her B.A. at Penn, where she was very active in folk dancing, the balalaika orchestra, and Jewish student affairs, she took her Master's degree in learning disabilities at B.U., spending a year in Israel in the middle. Upon graduation, she returned to Israel in 1974, where she taught a special education class in a development town, married and gave birth to daughter Roni (now a clinical psychologist, married with two lovely daughters of her own, Mia Margo, 3, and Ella Bee, 9 months). Margo later divorced, and in 1983, married Amiel Schotz (originally from Scotland), also an enthusiastic "folkie".
Margo left teaching and worked as a scientific editor/translator for the Ben-Gurion University Social Studies Unit in the Sde Boqer campus. There she began her work for local Bedouin, under Professor Gideon Kressel. Later, she moved to the main campus in Beersheba where she worked, until she retired, in the Center for Bedouin Education and Development. She acted as liaison for various donors in the States and Germany, edited the newsletter, and materially helped the several hundred Bedouin students studying at BGU, especially the girls, many of whom had special requirements due to family commitments and cultural traditions.
Margo also ran a family business with her husband, in academic editing, translating and typesetting. Her shelves have a most impressive display of books and journals she had prepared for publishing.
Having been brought up in a flourishing Conservative congregation, Ohr Kodesh in Chevy Chase (her dad was a highly professional part-time cantor), she maintained her activism in Israel, being a co-founder of two Conservative congregations, in Beersheba and in Metar (where she was the first president).
Her love of folk music never ceased and over the years she and Amiel hosted many house concerts for visiting singers. They were also active in the Light Opera Group of the Negev (LOGON), performing Gilbert and Sullivan and other musical theater. In her later years, she became a skilled potter, producing a splendid array of pots, bowls, cups and plates. She maintained a close friendship with many of her fellow students and dancers in the States, visiting them when she and Amiel were on their frequent trips to the US.
It was on their return from such a trip in the fall of 2011 that Margo became ill and only then was she diagnosed with cancer in an advanced stage. She received devoted care from her husband, family, doctors and her many friends. Just three months later, on February 28, 2012, in her hospital bed installed in her living room, with Roni and Amiel by her side, her heart simply stopped. That very morning she had been delighted to see ultrasound pictures of her unborn granddaughter. She and Amiel had been blessed with more than 30 years of love and companionship.
In her undemonstrative way, Margo contributed greatly to her many circles of friends and colleagues. She touched and enriched the lives of all who knew her. It is no wonder that despite the inclement weather, more than 200 mourners attended her funeral, coming from abroad and far parts of the country.
Lorna Weissman (Elgamil)
Thank you so much for your comments on her meaningful life. she was a friend since I was 10 years old and I heard about her illness from Roz White. She was such a kind person I am sure she is greatly missed.
Charlotte Beckman (Brooks)
Thank you for the beautiful memoir of Margo. She was a friendly person and I have fond memories of her at B-CC.
Charlotte Beckman Brooks (also a potter and artist)
Mark Young
I am saddened to hear of her passing. I am happy to hear what a wonderful life she lived ,,,,no surprise if you knew her, She was a friend of mine.
Shalom,
Mark Young