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April 12, 2018 - Image 62

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 2018-04-12

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

soul

of blessed memory

A Leader In His Field

Dr. Eli V. Berger, 84, of
West Bloomfield and
Palm Harbor, Fla., died
March 31, 2018.
He was born on July
15, 1933, and raised in
Bergen County, N.J. He
attended the University
of Michigan in Ann
Arbor and earned
Berger
both his D.D.S. and
M.S. degrees from the
University of Michigan
Dental School.
After serving as a captain in
the U.S. Army Dental Corps, Eli
opened his own orthodontic
practice, which he maintained for
nearly 40 years. A board-certified
orthodontist, he became a dip-
lomate of the American Board of
Orthodontics and a fellow of the
American College of Dentistry. He
also served as a professor in the
University of Michigan School of
Dentistry for more than 35 years.
Dr. Berger held member-
ship and offices in a number of
professional societies, includ-
ing the Michigan Association
of Orthodontists (president),
the Great Lakes Association
of Orthodontists (president),
the American Association of
Orthodontists, the Michigan and
American Dental Associations,
the Oakland County Dental
Society, Alpha Omega Dental
Fraternity and the Tweed
Foundation. He also served as
president and secretary-treasurer
of the University of Michigan
Orthodontic Alumni Association.
Dr. Berger was a lecturer at the
Hebrew University, Hadassah
School of Medicine, the European
Orthodontic Society and at
numerous meetings, conventions
and conferences across the coun-
try and around the world.
He was an active member (and
officer and board member) of
Congregation Beth Shalom; a
consistent volunteer with the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit, for which he served as
chairperson of the Professional
Health Division and the Dental
Division; a member of B’nai B’rith
and the Holocaust Memorial
Center; and an active supporter
of other Jewish organizations and

62

April 12 • 2018

jn

agencies. In 2007, Eli
(with Joanna) received
the Shin Award from
the Jewish Theological
Seminary in recognition
of their commitment to
Jewish education and
synagogue life.
He was an avid golfer;
he loved classical music
and art and was a huge
fan of the Wolverines.
But first and foremost,
Eli was devoted to Joanna, his
children and grandchildren, his
extended family and to his many
friends.
Dr. Berger is survived by his
children, Jeffrey (Susan Kessler)
Berger, Wendy (Glen) Pickover
and Karen (Dan) Ockner; his
grandchildren, Sherri (Ian
Gardiner) Berger, Tracy Berger
( fiancee, Jovette Estrellado),
Aaron Pickover, Jamie Ockner and
Rachel Ockner; his sister, Anita
Epstein; his brother and sister-in-
law, Stanley and Phyllis Berger;
his brother-in-law, Dr. Richard
Collens; many nieces, nephews,
other loving family members and
friends.
He was predeceased by his wife
of 62 years, Joanna Berger. He was
the son of the late Adele and the
late Sol Berger; son-in-law of the
late Clara and the late Dr. William
S. Collens; brother and brother-
in-law of the late Blanche and the
late Beryle Walters, and the late
Henry Epstein.
Interment was at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Contributions
may be made to University of
Michigan School of Dentistry, Dr.
Eli and Joanna Berger Fund, 540
E. Liberty, Suite 204, Ann Arbor,
MI 48104-2210, leadersandbest.
umich.edu/find/#!/scu/dent,
(click Write in Your Gift – Fund
Number 570773); Hospice Of
Michigan-Oakland County, 26957
Northwestern Hwy., Suite 140,
Southfield, MI 48033, www.hom.
org/donations; Congregation Beth
Shalom, 14601 W. Lincoln, Oak
Park, MI 48237, www.
congbethshalom.org; or to a char-
ity of one’s choice. Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman Chapel. •

JACK A. ARFA, 81, of
Hallandale Beach, Fla.,
formerly of Detroit, passed
away peacefully in his
sleep March 28, 2018.
For 35 years, Mr. Arfa
was in the Army reserve
military service, achieving
Arfa
the rank of sergeant major.
He was a top-selling sales
person then a tax preparer in semi-retire-
ment after moving to Florida.
Mr. Arfa was the beloved husband
of Alice for 60 years; loving father
of Elizabeth, Deborah (Jeff), Denise
(Rowland) and David (Kim); cherished
grandfather of Amy Jaine, Kimberly, Kyle,
Adam, Zachary and Xihu; adored great-
grandfather of Callie, Josie and Cameron.
Contributions may be made to Catholic
Hospice or Wounded Warriors of America.
Arrangements by Levitt Weinstein Eternal
Light Funeral Service Center, (305) 932-
2700.

HILDA TOBES FERSHTMAN, 96, of West
Bloomfield, died April 2, 2018.
She was born in Toronto, Canada, to
Dora (Ravinsky) and Harry Tobes and was
the youngest of eight children. Her family
moved to Detroit when she was 3.
She was a member of B’nai B’rith, worked
in real estate and was a member of differ-
ent clubs with friends.
Mrs. Fershtman is survived by her
daughter, Sandra Fershtman of Richmond,
Calif.; granddaughter, Marlo Michaels of
Charlotte, N.C.
She was the beloved wife of the late
Alex Fershtman; mother of the late Hedy
Fershtman Michaels; sister of the late Al,
Irving, Boris and Jack Tobes, the late Ann
Rauch, Lillian Bernstein and Clara Brooks.
Interment took place at Hebrew
Memorial Park Cemetery in Clinton
Township. Contributions may be made to
a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by
Dorfman Chapel.

MYRON “MIKE”
HANDELSMAN, 93, of
West Bloomfield, died
March 29, 2018.
He proudly served in
the Army Air Corps in the
Pacific Theater during
WWII as a radar operator
Handelsman
and mechanic. As a result,
he became a ham radio
operator and enjoyed this hobby his entire
life.
He went to Wayne State University, play-
ing in both the marching band and the
concert band, and he played clarinet in the
Novi Concert Band up until his last perfor-
mance in December 2017.

Mr. Handelsman was quite the handy-
man and always willing to help someone
in need. He will be remembered for his big
smile, endless jokes and love for his family.
Mr. Handelsman is survived by his wife
of 66 years, Gloria Handelsman; daughters
and sons-in-law, Lori and Robert Russell,
and Julie and Lawrence August; grand-
children, Lindsay and Daniel Vazquez,
Sarah Russell and Eric Stininger, Melanie
August, Allison August and Andre Lofrano;
great-grandchild, Hazel Stininger; brother
and sister-in-law, Herbert and Norma
Handelsman.
He was the loving brother of the late Faye
and the late Oscar Katz.
Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Jewish
Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W.
Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.
jewishhospice.org; Hospice of Michigan-
Oakland County, 26957 Northwestern Hwy.,
Suite 140, Southfield, MI 48033, www.hom.
org/donations; or Novi Concert Band,
45165 W. 10 Mile Road, Novi, MI 48375.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

MENDEL “MANNY”
LASKI, 92, of Boca Raton,
Fla., died March 30, 2018.
He was a heating and
cooling contractor, the
co-owner of S&M Heating
and Cooling, partnering
with his brother Samuel.
Laski
Mr. Laski is survived
by his son and daughter-
in-law, Warren Laski and Gretchen Silver;
grandchildren, Mitchell Laski, Shana Laski
and Elana Laski; sister-in-law, Eva Laski;
many loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces
and grand-nephews.
He was the beloved husband for 55 years
of the late Helen Laski; the loving brother
of the late Samuel Laski.
Interment was at Oakview Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100
Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington,
DC 20024-2126, donate.ushmm.org/page/
contribute. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

SHEILA MELLIN, 68, of
Farmington Hills, died
April 7, 2018.
She was the cherished
sister of Hilary Mellin and
Joel Gershenson, and the
late Florence Lachman;
the loving aunt of Jeff
Mellin
Rosen, and Wendy and
Brian Starr; the proud
great-aunt of Jayme and Erin Starr, and
Gabby Rosen.
Ms. Mellin was the devoted daughter of

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