obituaries A Modern Pioneer In Community Activism he Detroit-area Jewish com- munity lost one of its pre- eminent volunteer leaders on Feb. 24, 2013, with the passing of Marian Shifman at age 87. Retired to Lake Worth, Fla., from resi- dence in West Bloomfield and originally Detroit, Ms. Shifman was a modern pioneer in community activism and con- structive leadership for the entire metro- politan area. As a United Foundation "Heart of Gold" Award winner in 1977 and the first woman to be president of the Detroit Jewish Community Council, 1979-81, (predecessor to the Jewish Community Relations Council), she set a rarely matched standard for volun- teerism. In letters of nomination for Ms. Shifman's Heart of Gold Award, her rabbi, Hayim Donin of Congregation B'nai David, wrote, "No assignment was too much for her abundant talent." Rabbi Joshua Sperka of Young Israel of Greenfield described her as "a person with rare human qualities ... empathy and understanding with a sense of direc- tion and determination" VIVIAN ABLECOP, 93, of Farmington Hills, died March 4, 2013. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Marlene Kaufman of Farmington Hills; daughter and son- Ablecop in-law, Kerri and Sandy Litinsky of West Bloomfield; grandchil- dren, Jeffrey Kaufman, Elaine and Paul Cohen, Tony and Layne Averbuch, Sammy and Amy Averbuch; great-grandchildren, Jaclyn and Samantha Cohen, Julia, Aiden, Isaac and Judah Averbuch. Mrs. Ablecop was the beloved wife of the late Saul Ablecop; the cherished sister of the late Lillian Thurswell, the late Clara Baker and the late Hanna Rogers. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to a A graduate of Detroit's Central High women's organizations, but also in speak- School (1944) and Wayne State University ing to a wide variety of church groups and (1948), Ms. Shifman began a volunteer public high school classes, explaining, enlightening and demonstrating Judaism career as a USO hostess during World War II, continued by tutoring stroke vic- to the unknowing and suspicious. tims in speech rehabilitation in the 1950s Her work with the Roundtable of and '60s, and included the Christians and Jews in the inauguration of elementary Detroit area was among the first major volunteer contri- school-based tutorial pro- grams for "problem-laden" butions on this subject by a prominent woman. In fact, children in the late '60s. As president of the her and others' volunteer Detroit-area League efforts in this cause made of Jewish Women's only practical sense to her. Organizations, 1974-75, "I can't see why I should be paid for doing something I'm and while a member of the really doing for myself" she national executive board of the American Jewish said in a 1977 interview with Marian Shif man Congress, 1972-76, she was the Eccentric newspapers. an outspoken advocate for Although the 1970s became creating a world where Jews and the rest known as a decade of significant social of the world would find common ground. change as the result of some engaging in bombastic behavior, Marian Shifman's She did this by personally promoting bet- ter understanding between people of dif- volunteer style was low-key and from ferent ethnic and religious groups. behind the scenes. "She was content to Her countless volunteer hours were do her good works quietly, effectively and with little fanfare" observed Alvin spent not only at board and committee meetings, organizing, for example, the Kushner, then-executive director of the first joint meetings of Catholic and Jewish Detroit Jewish Community Council. charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ELMER "AL" ASIN, 80, of Commerce Township, died Feb. 25, 2013. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn Asin of Commerce Township; son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Amy Asin of Palo Alto, Calif.; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Bruce Hessenthaler of Commerce, Debra and Craig Fahle of Grosse Pointe; grandchildren, Sam and Julia Asin, and Alex Fahle; many other lov- ing family members and friends. Contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or to a char- ity of one's choice. Interment took place at the Temple Israel Gardens of Beth El Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. 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She is survived by her sons and daughters- in-law, Dr. Paul Forman and Karen Feldman of West Bloomfield, Dr. Richard and Robin Forman of California, Dr. Bruce and April Forman of New Mexico, and Kenneth Forman of Southfield; grandchildren, Martin Forman, Brian Forman, Laurie Forman and Kevin Arndt, Alex Forman, Joshua Forman, Daniel Forman and Beth Forman; great- grandchildren, Alyssa and Louis Forman. Monument Center Inc "Same Location Over 80 Years" Monuments and Markers Bronze Markers Memorial Duplicating Cemetery Lettering & Cleaning CEMETERY INSTALLATION ANYWHERE IN MICHIGA 1% Call 248-542-8266 661 E. 8 Mile Road Ferndale 11/2 blocks East o Woodward 248-851-4450 6698 Orchard Lake Rd • W Bloomfield MI 48322 Manischewitz Wine 3 . 19 each ourmet ARLENE BEALS, 88, of West Bloomfield, died March 2, 2013. She was a former member of Congregation Beth Moses and its sister- hood, Congregation B'nai David and its sisterhood. Beals Mrs. Beals was also active with Congregation Shomrey Emunah and was a volunteer with Yad Ezra. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Leo Beals; son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Susan Beals of West Bloomfield; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Chuck Seigerman of West Bloomfield; grandchil- dren, Aaron and Alana Beals, Jodi Beals, Mamie Beals, Deborah Anstandig, Jared Anstanding, Evan Seigerman, Cydney Seigerman; great-grandchild, Kyra Beals. Contributions may be made to Yeshiva But the impact was often significant and considerable over the long term as countless non-Jews have an improved understanding of Judaism, and inter- ethnic dialogue within the community is now the norm. She was also an ardent Zionist and a devoted Jew. As the chairman of the 1975 Woman's Plea for Human Rights for Soviet Jewry program, she was part of the vanguard that eventually allowed the relocation of Russian Jews to Israel. In later years, she helped to make real the operation of the Detroit Holocaust Memorial Museum, serving among its original docents. "Her dedication to serving humanity was a natural outgrowth of the Judaism she felt" says her husband, Aaron Shifman. Marian Shifman left behind Aaron, her husband of 67 years, the former propri- etor of Shifman's Mens Wear for 55 years; son, Elliot of Novi; daughter, Monna of Palm Beach, Fla.; son, Errol of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; and, according to her nephew, Rabbi Sanford Kopnick of Valley Temple in Cincinnati, Ohio, "a legacy of righ- teousness for an abiding blessing:' COUPON Kosher for Passover 22oz Loaf Ungar's Gelfilte Fish 6.99 Just boil & Serve Also available in twin pack Limit 2 expires 3/15/13 Obituarie kb tittitu)fititi www.MonumentCenterInc .com