Here's a sweet okeoti for iwke New year... sLottscripi-iov% Give at J otblet 3ei- at Fr e e Obituaries are updated regularly and archived on JN Online: wvvw.detroitjewishnews.com Loving And Wise The Blumensteins were founders of SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN the Torah Center. "Exactly four years StaffWriter ago to the day of her burial, she and her husband were honored with the Torah onia Blumenstein used to tell her Center's Keser Shem Tov award," Rabbi family, "Don't worry about Silberberg said. whether you will succeed or fail. At that time, the Torah Center dedi- Determine what you have to do to suc- ceed and be willing to work as hard as it cated its Hyman and Sonia Blumenstein Outreach Institute, featuring a speaker's takes." "She would say, 'Don't flatter yourself. program and other outreach activities to enhance Jewish learning. If you are really good, someone else will "She was always upgrading her obser- tell you," said son Harold Blumenstein vance in Torah and mitzvot," he said. of Bloomfield Hills. Reading psalms was an important Mrs. Blumenstein, 96, of Southfield, part of her life. died Sept. 16, 2004. She taught lessons Harold described his mother as tena- of success, respect and love in a way that cious, supportive, relentless and loving, will be forever remembered by her fami- wanting her children to be accom- ly and friends. plished and to learn respect "She had all these wonder- for themselves. ful expressions," said daugh- Her advice and guidance ter-in-law Penny Blumenstein were often sought. She was of Bloomfield Hills. "We are the one of whom others going to open a Web site so asked, 'What would she they don't disappear." have done about this or said Born in Belarus, Mrs. about that,'" Harold said. Blumenstein fled pogroms as Mrs. Blumenstein was a a child to settle in Riga, charitable women with both Latvia. On the journey, her a check and an invitation, mother died. Penny said, "Whatever she "She decided that Latvia Sonia Blumenstein had, she shared. She had a was not a place that could very generous heart." provide opportunity to her or any Sonia Blumenstein is survived by her future family, so she migrated to children, Hanna Reta and Dr. Gordon Canada," Harold said. Fishman, Harold and Penny Although three of her siblings fol- Blumenstein, Frances and Ronald lowed, her father and one sister Rogers, Eileen and Gerald Borsand, remained and perished in the Leah and Frederic Ruby; grandchildren, Holocaust. "Despite her tragic losses, she looked at life in a very positive way," Jefrey and Leslie Fishman, Michael Fishman, Bradley and Victoria Fishman, Harold said. David and Julie Fishman, Randy "She never talked about her own Blumenstein and Marci Gittleman, adversity or the problems that she Lauren and Jordan Cohen, Ricky and • might have," Penny added. "She had a hard life, but you never heard that part. _ Carol Blumenstein, Kelly and David Victor, Jason and Dahlia Rogers, Ahuva It was always, 'Thank you for every- and Yissochor Wrotslaysky, Tova Rogers, thing."' Lisa and Gary Cohen, Marcy and Mrs. Blumenstein and husband, Benny Forta, Remy and Yechiel Poker, Hyman, founded Madora Sportswear, a Dena Weiss, Yosie Borsand, Jennifer manufacturer of ladies' clothing, in and Jason Lewiston, Jamie and Dan Detroit. "She was a cloak maker and he Skoczylas; many great-grandchildren. was a cutter," Penny said. "She was Interment was at Clover Hill Park wonderful with her hands." Cemetery. Contributions may be made Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg of Sara to Birmingham Bloomfield Chai Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center Center, 357 N. Woodward, Bloomfield said, "Mrs. Blumenstein was a leader in Hills, MI 48304; Sara Tugman Bais her family because of the respect and Chabad Torah Center, 5595 W. Maple, admiration they all had for her. West Bloomfield, MI 48322; Jewish "She was so genuine, not superficial or artificial. She gave blessings when she Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, 6735 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills, MI met you — and she meant them. And she ended every conversation with, And 48301. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. ri there should be peace in Israel." We'll send you this handy canvas tote bag as our gift to you with any new ► NI order! S The JN makes a great New Year's gift for friends and family. Help them keep up with what's going on in the Jewish community as well as international and national news, features and opinion. Each week the IN is also filled with everything they want to know about the holidays, celebrations and recipes. 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