An Innovative Educator
B
arbara Goldsmith Levin, raiser for TALI, and as the leader acclaimed Jewish educator, of the children’s congregation and passed away in Jerusalem on designer of adult education programs Feb. 27, 2022. She was 82. at her synagogue, Ramot Zion, in her Born in Detroit, she attended Adat French Hill neighborhood. Shalom Synagogue, co-founded Among her significant innoby her late parents Max and Alice vations as an educator was her Goldsmith, where she outreach to families from became the first bat mitzeconomically deprived vah in Michigan history. backgrounds. She also mainMrs. Levin graduated streamed the teaching of from the joint program at autistic students before that Columbia University and approach had gained any the Jewish Theological traction within Israel. Her Seminary in New York efforts allowed innumeraCity. After working as an ble students facing signifeducator in California and Barbara Levin icant barriers to advance New York, she moved to into higher education and Israel in 1969, residing in responsible jobs. Jerusalem. Her accomplishments earned With other immigrants from the her numerous accolades. The United States, she helped establish a Municipality of Jerusalem honored new educational option for families her as a Yakirat Yerushalayim, a desseeking a school that would offer ignation as an “eminent” resident of both secular studies and enriched the city for her educational efforts traditional Jewish learning. By at promoting “tolerance and comappealing to all students regardless munal harmony.” As an immigrant of religious observance, it was a who made “historic advancements” path-breaking pluralistic approach. in education, she was feted at a cerFrom 30 students housed in a emony at the Knesset, Israel’s pardilapidated shack in 1976, the proliament, as a “Bonei Zion.” She also gram blossomed into an entire edureceived the prestigious Education cational movement, known as TALI. Prize from Israel’s Ministry of It now boasts over 1,000 school Education. programs throughout Israel, encomMrs. Levin is survived by her passing some 130,000 students. The children, Rachel Meged and Doron flagship institution in Jerusalem, Levin; and her grandchildren, Tara offering preschool through eighth Meged, Yulie Meged, Ari Levin and grades, is the Sam and Jean Frankel Daniel Levin. School, named after the legendary She was the devoted daughDetroit-area philanthropists. ter of the late Max and Alice Architect of the innovative reliGoldsmith; the adoring sister of the gious and Jewish thought curriculate Merwin Goldsmith (Barbara lum, Mrs. Levin served as principal Parry Goldsmith), Jonathan (Luba) for nearly 30 years. She was an Goldsmith, Steven Goldsmith, Mark indefatigable multi-tasker, teaching (Judy) Goldsmith; and doting aunt to Talmud and establishing a communumerous nephews and nieces. nity-wide musical theater program. Those wishing to honor Barbara She also created a family education Levin’s memory may do so with a program to involve parents and stucontribution to the American Israel dents in learning about their Jewish Education Fund, c/o Stanley Franke, heritage together. 2301 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 900, After retiring, she remained fully Troy Michigan 48084. engaged: as a consultant and fund-
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MARCH 10 • 2022
OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY
FAYCLARE BLAU, 78, of Bloomfield Hills, died on March 1, 2022. She was born in Helena, Arkansas, before moving to Detroit. She graduated from Mumford High School before starting her life-long career as a dental assistant. Although she enjoyed working with people in the dental chair, nothing provided her more joy than Sunday night dinners in her kitchen surrounded by her family. She often also could be found knitting for her grandchildren, singing in Temple Beth El’s choir or raising funds and cancer awareness through her work with QueenFor-A-Day, among other charities. She will be remembered for her sweet smile, warm and welcoming nature, selflessness and passion for helping others. Mrs. Blau is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Robert Blau. She was the sister of Donald Sand and the late Jay Sand. She was the mother of Randy (Michelle) and the late David (Risa). She is also survived by grandchildren, Jackson, Sydney, Grant and Gabrielle; nieces, Michelle and Laura; as well as countless friends. She was the devoted daughter of the late Dr. Harry Sand and Mildred Sand. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076, cancer.org; or Make-AWish Foundation, Team Alex, 7600 Grand River Road Suite 175, Brighton, MI 48114, teamalexrides.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. WILLIAM COHEN, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, died on Feb. 23, 2022, in Novi of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was introduced to Ricki, the love of his life, at the University of Michigan by her brother, Clifford, when Bill and Ricki were both 18 years old. They skipped their college graduation to get married on May 24, 1964, in New York City. Bill was an accomplished bankruptcy and reorganization attorney in Detroit for more than 40 years. After obtaining undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan, he began his career in 1967 at the law firm Hertzberg, Jacob, & Weingarten, before merging that firm’s bankruptcy and insolvency practice
