Sima Peleg, 80, passed away peacefully in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Sima was a proud immigrant twice over. She was born on November 24, 1945, in Sofia, Bulgaria, in the aftermath of World War II. She was the daughter of Elsa and Isidor Ashkenazy, who were among the approximately 50,000 Bulgarian Jews spared deportation to extermination camps. When Sima was three years old, her family immigrated to Israel in search of a better life. She grew up in and around the Tel Aviv–Yafo area in a mixed community of Muslims, Christians, and Jews—an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to coexistence.

Elsa was one of the first female dentists in the State of Israel and served as a role model to Sima and many other women. After serving in the Israeli army, Sima earned her bachelor’s degree from Tel Aviv University. At the age of twenty-six, she moved to the United States with her former husband, Ilan Peleg, to pursue graduate studies in political science at Northwestern University.

In 1974, with baby Gil bundled up in the car, Sima and Ilan drove halfway across the country to begin their lives once again, this time in Pennsylvania. The greatest joys of Sima’s life were her children, Gil and Talia. She delighted in their pursuits of music and theater and was deeply committed to their education and the education of other children. Sima taught Hebrew school and later worked as a substitute teacher for children with special needs.

Sima was a devoted lover of the arts, especially classical music and opera. She was a voracious reader and, in her final years, became well known for enthusiastically recruiting members to the book club at the Phoebe retirement community. She loved getting lost in novels and was especially drawn to works related to Jewish history and culture.

Sima’s family would like to express their deep gratitude to the incredible teams at Older Adult Services of the Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley and Phoebe retirement communities. The staff and volunteers became a true extended family to Sima, offering companionship, care, and comfort. Her children are eternally grateful to all who gave their time, compassion, and energy to support Sima emotionally, physically, and spiritually in her final years.

Sima is survived by her children, Gil (Harpreet) and Talia (Ben), and her four cherished grandchildren, Seth (18), Leila (16), Zina (12), and Jonah (2). She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved older brother, Yaacov (Miriam) Ashkenazy. Yaacov passed away nearly one year ago to the day, and we like to think that Yaacov and Sima are reunited—eating chocolate ice cream together once again.

Services: 1:00 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, P.C., 17th & Hamilton Streets, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Interment to follow at Keneseth Israel Cemetery, Allentown. 

Contributions: In accordance with Jewish tradition, flowers are not customary; charitable donations are welcomed. Donations in Sima’s memory may be made to Older Adult Services of the Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley (610-821-8722); please select “Older Adult Services” under the “Apply my donation to” tab. Contributions may also be made to the Pennsylvania Playhouse (610-865-6665). May her memory be a blessing.