soul

of blessed memory

continued from page 55

A Life Devoted To Giving, Gratitude And Positivity

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

W

ith her kind heart and gener-
ous spirit, Jessie Kaufman
Stern made a lasting impact
on her family and her community with
her boundless love and unflagging ener-
gy. Jessie, who lived in Southfield with her
husband of more than 65 years, Sheldon,
died March 7, 2018, at age 86.
Jessie was a “professional volunteer,”
devoting her time, energy and creativ-
ity to various organizations in college
and throughout Metro Detroit. She held
numerous leadership positions, serving
as president of the Mortar Board col-
lege honor society at Indiana University,
the Harbinger Dance Company and the
PTA at her children’s school. She was
president of the local chapter of NCJW
and also served on its national board.
She was on the Jewish Family Service and
Fresh Air Society boards, vice president
of Federation’s Women’s Division and
chair of Federation’s Quarter Century
Club. In 2009, Jessie and Sheldon were
honored with the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit’s Lifetime
Achievement Award.

56

March 22 • 2018

jn

other, but Jessie never lost her
Ahead of her time, Jessie
indomitable spirit and positive
was an avid student of medita-
attitude.
tion, hypnosis and yoga, who
While attending college, she
strived to live mindfully and in
met Sheldon Stern, and the two
the present moment. Gratitude
fell in love and got married,
and appreciation for life’s bless-
carrying on a “weekend mar-
ings, no matter how small, were
riage” while Sheldon finished
integral parts of her life, and
medical school in Indianapolis
she passed these values on to
and Jessie finished her senior
her children and grandchildren.
year. They spent time in
A Detroit booster before it
Kaufman Stern
Cleveland and lived for several
became fashionable, Jessie was
years in Japan before moving to
passionate about the arts; she
Detroit in 1960. Their mutual devotion
loved dance, the Detroit Institute of Arts,
and respect throughout more than six
the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the
decades of marriage made them a role
opera. She enjoyed gardening, skiing, lis-
model to family and friends.
tening to National Public Radio, attend-
Despite her many volunteer commit-
ing Tigers games and services at Temple
ments, Jessie was a devoted mother to
Beth El. She wrote poetry and published
Gayle and Jeremy, instilling them with
a book called Never Miss a Beat: An
confidence and the ability to believe in
Evocation of the Heart.
themselves because she believed in them
Born in Chicago in 1931, she and her
so strongly. She encouraged their inde-
brother, Irving, lived over their grandfa-
pendence but was always there when
ther’s hardware store in East Chicago,
needed, with a warm hug and some sage
Ind. Despite hardships of the Great
advice.
Depression, Jessie was a happy child;
She was a loving “Granny” who
she was socially active, athletic and an
enjoyed spoiling her six grandchildren
excellent student. As a teen, she lost
while pointing out the beauty around
both parents within two years of each

them and teaching them how to live
positive lives.
“She had contagious energy, high
spirits and a huge personality that made
everyone smile a little bit wider,” said her
grandson Ari.
Jessie is survived by her beloved hus-
band, Sheldon Stern; cherished children,
Jeremy (Hildy) Stern and Gayle Stern
Eubanks (Gary); loving grandchildren,
Emily (Ryan Abbott), Noah, Joshua, Ari,
Eban and Seth; dear great-grandson,
Connor; and brother, Irving Kaufman
Arenberg.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made
to Temple Beth El, 7400 Telegraph,
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, (248) 851-
1100, tbeonline.org; Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit, 6735 Telegraph
Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, (248)
642-4260, jewishdetroit.org/
donate-online/; National Council of
Jewish Women Greater Detroit Section,
26400 Lahser Road, Suite 306, Southfield,
MI 48033, (248) 355-3300, ncjwgds.org; or
a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman Chapel. •