Prominent education attorney dies at 58
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Prominent education attorney dies at 58
By HEMA EASLEY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: February 12, 2006)
George Shebitz, a prominent education attorney known for championing the educational
rights of children with disabilities, died Wednesday after a long illness. He was 58.
Shebitz, a Nyack resident, was diagnosed with cancer in the spring and was undergoing
chemotherapy. He also developed an infection several weeks ago and was hospitalized at
Columbia Presbyterian in New York City. He died there Wednesday morning, his family said.
"He considered himself an educator," said his son, Adam Shebitz, 26, of Manhattan. The
practice of law "wasn't just a profession for him. It was a way of instituting social
justice and equality. This really manifested itself in him taking on cases where he was
fighting for the disabled, the disadvantaged, the underprivileged and troubled children.
He wanted to bring them to a stage where they could participate on a level playing field."
Among Shebitz's best known work was his representation of the Kiryas Joel school district
in Orange County in the 1980s and 1990s. The state Legislature created the school district
for children with disabilities, but it was challenged by the state school board
association over the school district's religious affiliation. The school serves special
needs students from the Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish community.
The case went twice to the U.S. Supreme Court and three times to the state Court of
Appeals. The school district lost the case several times over the issue of separation of
state and church, until the state Legislature passed a law that was upheld by the courts.
"George was an educator at heart, and wanted to make sure that everyone had an opportunity
and that no one was left behind," said his legal partner, Steve Landis. "He was
compassionate to all and he sought out the best in everyone."
Shebitz was born Sept. 1, 1947, in Brooklyn to Bessie and Samuel Shebitz. He went to
college at the American University in Washington, D.C., and later studied at the John
Marshall School of Law in Chicago. He married his wife, Randi, in August 1975 and had two
children, Daniela and Adam.
Shebitz began his career as counsel and deputy director of the Office of Legal Services
for the New York City Board of Education. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1975. He
was a frequent presenter at law and education seminars, as well as a lecturer at Bank
Street College of Education and Fordham University.
He joined private practice in the mid-1980s and worked for two law firms before he formed
Shebitz Berman & Cohen, P.C. in New York City.
His personal interests included the arts. He sat on the board of the Helen Hayes Theater
and was an investor in the Broadway play "Fiddler on the Roof." He also sat on numerous
boards of nonprofit corporations, including educational institutions ranging from early
childhood programs to degree-granting colleges, entertainment boards providing
opportunities to young men and women, and entities serving adults with mental disabilities.
Despite his busy schedule, he always had time for his family, said his son, Adam.
"He had an incredible ability to prioritize. He was always there for this family," Adam
Shebitz said. "There was never an event, a soccer game, a family issue, a conversation
that he wasn't willing to participate in. He put family ahead of everything."
In addition to his wife and children, Shebitz is survived by his son-in-law, Sergio
Capozzi; his grandson, Jonah; and his sister, Miriam Rappaport. His funeral was held
Thursday in Manhattan.
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