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An Untiring Zionist

Dr. Steinhardt, a prolific writer in
English, loved Hebrew and was thrilled,
said friend Rachel Kapen, when his
Hebrew-language psychiatric profile of
Ilir henever Israel was criti-
Zionist pioneer Theodor Herzl was pub-
cized, Dr. Milton J.
lished. Another notable article presented
Steinhardt — a lifelong
the psychological underpinnings of anti-
Zionist activist an avid
Semitism.
writer of letters to the editor — could
A benefactor of Israel and
be relied on to provide a
frequent visitor, Dr.
staunch defense.
Steinhardt was honored by
A psychiatrist who prac-
the Detroit Zionist
ticed into his 80s, Dr.
Organization of America with
Steinhardt remained an
its Balfour Award'. He estab-
untiring Zionist until his
lished the Dr. Milton J.
dying day, said Nira Lev of
Steinhardt Family Scholarship
Detroit's Agency for Jewish
for sending teenagers to
Education, his friend and
Israel, through the United
Hebrew instructor for 20
Jewish Foundation of
years. Dr. Steinhardt, of
Metropolitan Detroit. In
Southfield, died March 21
Dr. Stein!) ardt
1995, he was honored with a
at age 96 from complica-
Jewish Apartments and
tions of pneumonia.
Services' 8 Over 80 Award, for distin-
When Lev recently visited Dr. .
Steinhardt, he would not discuss his frail guished individuals over age 80.
Freda Steinhardt said her husband
health. 'All he wanted to do was talk
"was a good father — and a very busy
about Israel and how he could show his
one." Daughter Judith Zuckerman
support."
fondly remembers "the little cottage on
"He was a tornado," daughter Judith
Lake St. Clair" where he took the family
Zuckerman remembers, with a laugh.
sailing. Dr. Daniel Steinhardt said his
Mentally and intellectually, she said, he
father, a member of Adat Shalom
had "endless energy and was always
Synagogue, had a reverence for Judaism's
applying himself to something."
traditional prayers and melodies.
Dr. Steinhardt's determination was
Yet Dr. Steinhardt was also attuned to
shaped growing up poor in Zambrow,
the new Lev said, "He learned to use a
Poland. He was 15 when the family was
reunited in Detroit with father Avraham computer when he was in his 90s, so he
could go on the Internet and see the
Steinhardt, a Hebrew teacher-turned-
news for himself"
peddler, who had joined wife Zelda's
Dr. Steinhardt is survived by his wife,
family here before World War I.
Freda
Steinhardt; son and daughter-in-
Following Northeastern High School,
law, Dr. Daniel and Elayne Steinhardt of
Dr. Steinhardt tried rabbinical school
Southfield; daughter and son-in-law,
before deciding on medicine. He
worked in a haberdashery to put himself Judith and Mark Zuckerman of
Roosevelt, N.J.; daughter7in-law, Janice
through what is now Wayne State
University, graduating in 1932. His wife Fried Steinhardt of Birmingham; grand-
children, Lauren and Joanna Steinhardt,
of 64 years, Freda Steinhardt, said he
Karle and Ryan Fried, Alexander and
helped start the medical union at New
York hospitals while doing a residency in Daniel Franklin; brothers, Herschel
Steinhardt of Southfield, Jacob
Staten Island, N.Y. Dr. Steinhardt's first
Steinhardt of Southfield; and sisters and
local medical practice was above a store
brother-in-law, Betty Heller of Rhode
in Highland Park.
Island and Helen and Herb Eder of
Although already a father, Dr.
Florida.
Steinhardt enlisted in the Army during
He was the loving father of the late
World War II. At Omaha Beach on D-
Frederick David Steinhardt and the dear
Day, he cared for the wounded and
brother of the late Rose Miller.
dying, earning a citation from Gen.
Interment was at Ada Shalom
Dwight D. Eisenhower for "bravery and
Memorial Park. Contributions may be
courage under fire," said his wife.
Back home, Dr. Steinhardt became an made to Temple Emanu-El in Oak
allergist. Then, growing
arowina interested in the Park or the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
Minn. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
connection of the mental to the physical
Chapel. Li
in illness, he switched to psychiatry.

ESTHER ALLWEISS TSCHIRHART
Special to the Jewish Nabs

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