Obituaries

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Mother To The Hungry

eannette Eizelman, 80, of Oak
Park, the first executive direc-
tor of Yad Ezra (1990-95),
passed away on Friday evening, Jan.
26, 2007, with family members at her
side. She had suffered from diabetes.
Jeannette, formerly a caterer, was
just what the fledgling agency needed
when its five founders — Gary Dembs,
Howard Zoller, Eli Kaplan, Jim Macy and
Jeannette's son Mickey Eizelman, with
the help of Rabbi A. Irving Schnipper
— decided to open its doors in February
1990 to provide free kosher groceries
to low-income Jewish families in Metro
Detroit.
Howard Zoller remembered how, in
the early days, he and others would
show up unannounced at Jeannette and
Seymore Eizelman's home for dinner
and were always amazed at the "gobs
of great food on the table — my first
clue that this was the person to be run-
ning a vittles-related charity."
Jeannette's catering background,
coupled with her stalwart commitment
to Yad Ezra's mission, provided a com-

j

fortable environment for
Assistant Director Sylvia
clients who had difficulty
Abromowitz worked long
coming to the agency for
hours to ensure that the
help. When addressing
pantry had operating
the Jewish Community
funds and food to distrib-
Council of Metropolitan
ute. They also sought to
Detroit at its delegate
provide a voice for their
assembly in 1992, she
clients — people whose
provided insight into this
concerns had not often
vulnerable population.
been heard.
"These people are not
With bookkeeping,
only hungry, they are
fundraising and opera-
Jeannette Eizelman
proud, too," she reported
tions responsibilities,
in her quiet, yet strong
"Jeannette worked tire-
and determined voice.
lessly to help those in need to provide
"So many, especially the elderly, walk food for the clients, while exuding a
to the door but cannot bring them-
level of compassion that helped make
selves to come in. Exorbitant medical
them feel more comfortable," said
and prescription bills eat away at the
Richard Barr, former Yad Ezra presi-
little money they have."
dent.
Husband Seymore, a pharmacist,
Son Mickey, a Yad Ezra founder and
was found at the food pantry at
former president, observed how Yad
least three times a week, volunteer-
Ezra went beyond being a "family
ing his time and effort to unload and
affair" to an Eizelman family commit-
pack boxes of food to be distributed
ment — with the clients as extended
to the families through a window in
family members. Often, Jeannette and
the small warehouse. Jeannette and
Sylvia would make special efforts to

assist homebound clients who needed
particular items.
Gary Dembs, Yad Ezra's first presi-
dent, summed it up: "Jeannette was the
maternal influence on her family and
families of Yad Ezra volunteers, staff
and clients. She will be fondly remem-
bered and deeply missed. She played a
crucial role in Jewish history in Metro
Detroit."
Mrs. Eizelman is survived by her
husband, Seymore Eizelman; sons and
daughters-in-law, Mickey and Shelley
Eizelman of Oak Park, David and
Martha Eizelman of Jackson; daughter
and son-in-law, Elaine Eizelman and
Thomas Torma of Huntington Woods;
brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Manuel
and Helen Eizelman; grandchildren,
Mira and Gedaliah, Tova, Rebecca,
Robert, Katy, Audrey, Erin; great-grand-
child, Yehuda.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to Yad Ezra, 2850 W.11 Mile, Berkley,
MI 48072. Arrangements by Hebrew
Memorial Chapel. 0

CAY ANTOINETTE BAHNMILLER,
51, of Detroit, died Jan. 25, 2007. She was
an artist.
Ms. Bahnmiller is survived by her par-
ents, Richard C. and Martha Bahnmiller;
brother and sister-in-law, Richard E. and
Kathryn Bahnmiller; nieces and nephew,
Jennifer, Will and Amy Bahnmiller.
Interment at Oakgrove Cemetery in
Chelsea. Contributions may be made
to Aids Partnership-Michigan, 2571 E.
Jefferson Avenue, Suite 301, Detroit, MI
48207. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

ROSELYN BASSIN, 91, of West
Bloomfield, died Jan. 21, 2007.
She is survived by her sons and daugh-
ter-in-law, Marshall Bassin of Northville,
Charles and Shelley Bassin of Waterford;
daughter, Paulette Bassin of Northville;
brother, Sam Cohen of Windsor, Ontario,
Canada; sister, Edith Goodman of West
Bloomfield; grandchildren, Matthew
and Linnea Bassin, David and Fallon
Bassin; great-grandchildren, Elisabeth,
Alexandria.
She was the beloved wife of the late
George Bassin.

Contributions may be made to Yeshiva
Beth Yehudah, Yad Ezra or to a charity
of one's choice. Interment at Beth Tefilo
Emanuel Cemetery. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

The *
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& CHAPLAINCY NETWORK'

SALUTES ANOTHER

HOSPICE HERO

2

Pearl Coffman

was a little girl when her
mother became gravely ill. Yet she still remembers the
Jewish social worker who helped her cope during that
difficult time.

O

Today Pearl is a JHCN volunteer who spends her free
time comforting patients at the end of their lives.
While her hospice friend can no longer communicate,
she smiles every time she sees Pearl.

Lu

Contributions may be made to
Fleishman Apartments, Pinsker
Progressive Aid Society or Jewish Hospice
and Chaplaincy Network. Interment at
Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

KAREN EILEEN BINGHAM LEWIS,
63, of Marietta, Ga., died Jan. 24, 2007.
She was a retired teacher and poet who
earned her bachelor of arts degree at
Wayne State University.
Mrs. Lewis is survived by her husband,
David Lewis; son, Bill Bingham of Georgia;
daughter, Laura Bingham of Georgia. She
was the devoted daughter of the late Perce
and the late Shirley Golden.
Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to
the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
Foundation. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.

-

DR. MAIER "MIKE" BELEN, 84, of
Southfield, died Jan. 22, 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Molly Belen;
son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Jack and
Honey Belen of Southfield; daughter and
son-in-law, Barbara and Dean Pichette
of Southfield; sister, Sarah Gottesman
of Southfield; numerous grandchildren;
numerous great-grandchildren; beloved
nieces, nephews and many good friends.
He was the loving brother of the late Dr.
Kenneth Belen; beloved brother-in-law of
the late Jean Lea, the late Charles Lea, Q.C.,
the late David Peters, Q.C., the late Celia
Gary, the late Joshua Gary, the late Marian
Bohnen, the late Abraham Bohnen, the
late Laura Dorn, the late Myer Dorn, the
late Sam Gottesman, the late Gloria Pinsky
Belen.

IDA CHAENKO, 92, of West Bloomfield,
died Jan. 24, 2007.
An owner and partner for 20 years of
Hugh Greenberg Office Equipment, Mrs.

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"I am happy when she recognizes me," Pearl says. "This
is not hard. I hold her hand and rub her back. It's the
right thing to do."

['cart Coffman is a .111(N

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