Neal Robin Goren

Neal Robin Goren, 67, born on March 3, 1957, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died peacefully in the early morning of Sunday, December 29, 2024, at his home in Houston, Texas, surrounded by his loving wife, Kerry Lewis Goren, and devoted children, daughter, Kyra Goren, and son, Chasen Goren. Neal is the son of the late Dora and Herman Goren of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Neal’s mother, Dora, also passed away on this same date in 2013, a fact from which the entire family finds great strength and comfort. Neal’s greatest passion in life was his family, of whom he was so proud and loved so dearly. No matter the challenges, Neal’s joy and zest for life was undeniable – an approach to life that was derived from the love he felt for, and received from, his dedicated family. Neal will always be remembered for his selfless spirit and unwavering dedication to helping others, even in the face of personal sacrifice and personal health challenges. One example was during the height of Hurricane Harvey, he risked his own safety, to the dismay of his wife, to rescue a relative whose home was flooded. Neal’s genuine curiosity about the lives and well-being of others made each person he encountered feel truly seen and valued. As an exceptional husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Neal enriched the lives of all who knew him with his boundless love, genuine kindness, and offbeat humor. His legacy of compassion, courage and devotion will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. A true example of Neal’s essence was in his weekly Shabbat texts which he shared with those nearest and dearest to him. All the recipients of those fortunate enough to receive his weekly Shabbat messages will take great comfort each Shabbat when they remember Neal’s weekly act of loving kindness. Neal graduated from Abington Friends School in Pennsylvania and American University in Washington, DC, majoring in communications. Neal’s career began in logistics for various TV stations in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas, and then he became a recruiter, working in both the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Neal, along with his wife, Kerry (always by his side), were leaders in the Dani Johnson motivational programs. Neal was also highly active in men’s groups and organized interfaith trips to Israel. Neal’s faith was extraordinarily strong and personal, and he was a devoted supporter of Israel. Shabbat and Jewish holidays were regularly celebrated, with homemade challah (if not Passover) and brisket cooked by his wife, Kerry (the recipe handed down by her mother, the late and beloved Diana Lewis, who was a supreme cook). Neal’s presence will be missed on the racquetball court, where he played a regular weekly game for many years, and on his numerous bike trips, where he shared long distances and fun times with dear friends and close neighbors. Neal is survived by his devoted, caring and loving wife, Kerry Goren, who rarely left his side over the past 6 years during his courageous battle with cancer, and their 2 devoted children, Kyra Goren and Chasen Goren; loving brothers, Dr. Elihu Goren and spouse Sara Goren, and Dr. Oscar Goren and spouse Gail Goren, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Gary Lewis and spouse Joni Gaylor Lewis, of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Joni Canter and spouse David Canter, of Los Angeles, California; and his many beloved relatives, nieces, nephews, and cousins, from Pennsylvania to California, who truly loved and adored Neal. Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Dora and Herman Goren. Neal was a handprint on the heart of so many and will be deeply missed by all. May his memory always be a blessing and bring great comfort to all who knew him. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 3:00 pm in the Herman & Elaine Proler Chapel at Beth Israel Memorial Garden, 1101 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas 77055. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to any of the following charities: Alexander Jewish Family Service (www.alexanderjfs.org), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org/gulf), or any charity of your choice in Neal’s honor.

Neal Robin Goren

March 3, 1957 - December 29, 2024