Elton Kerness 85

ROCKVILLE, MD. – Elton Jay Kerness passed away Dec. 28, 2019, in Rockville.  He  was born on Jan. 25, 1934, in Providence, the only child  of Louis and Dorothy ( Silverman) Kerness.  

Elton was an author and a nationally-renowned consultant on fundraising. He was constantly sought after as a motivational speaker and trainer and lecturer for fundraising campaigns. As a consultant, he had worked with The National Parkinson Disease Foundation,  B'nai B'rith,  American Jewish Congress,  National Association of Social Workers, Zionist Organization of America, Yeshiva High School, Jewish federations in Atlanta, Chicago, North Jersey, Birmingham, New Orleans and Winnipeg Canada, as well as with United Way and synagogues throughout the country.  Elton was responsible for developing “Super Sunday”  and naming , planning and implementing “Operation Moses,” the rescue of Ethiopian Jews.

Elton was married three times.  He was married to his third wife Edythe for 43 years until her death one year to the day before he died.  Elton is survived by his children: Terri (Leonard) Rosenberg from his first wife Barbara Rado.  Paul Kerness, Stacey Hall, Lauren (Richard) Smith, and Jonathan Kerness from his second wife Bonnie Kerness. Riva Neam, Eva (David) Brune,  Barry (Nancy) Zweben  Edythe’s children (who he raised as his own). His grandchildren:  Bryan Johnson, Mathew Rosenberg, Tyler Hall, Jessica Hall, Ashley Hall, Rachel Smith, Jamie Nowacek, Lindsy Neam, Dominique Neam, Jared Zweben and Isaac Brune.   His great-grandchildren: Andrew Johnson and Jackson Neam.  He is also survived by his first wife Barbara Rado and his second wife Bonnie Kerness .  Also, by his first cousins  on the  Silverman side: Arlene Landesberg, Edmund Silverman , Linda Winkleman and Lois Cohen.