36 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2019
Jews in the D
B
arbara Cantor is a true legend in the
eyes of the children and parents she
taught and nurtured during her ten-
ure as a respected educator. In December
2018, after 48 years teaching and inspiring
at the Jewish Community Center, Barbara,
at age 86, retired. It would be difficult, if
not impossible, to find anyone in the Jewish
community who has had a greater impact on
young families.
To honor Cantor for her service and com-
mitment, there will be an open house in her
honor on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m.-
noon at the West Bloomfield JCC.
Cantor, a graduate of Wayne State
University, began her career as a kindergar-
ten teacher in Detroit. In her second year of
teaching, she and her beloved husband, Larry,
welcomed their first child, Susie, who was
soon joined by three more siblings: Wendy,
Robert and Nancy.
Sensing a need for a quality neighborhood
preschool program, Barbara opened and
operated a nursery school in her basement
for eight years while raising her own children.
She took a brief sabbatical when she and
Larry moved to a bigger home in Farmington
Hills. During the hiatus, they welcomed two
more children, Jody and Marcy.
In 1971, Cantor was approached by Mort
Plotnick, assistant director of the Jewish
Community Center, which had received a
grant from the University of Michigan to
pilot a preschool program for parents and
toddlers together, the first of its kind in the
country. Plotnick wanted her to develop
and lead this program. The curriculum was
intended to guide, teach and mentor parents
in how to relate to, teach and parent their
child as well as to provide a socially and emo-
tionally engaging, play-filled environment
for their toddlers. Cantor created a class that
fulfilled that intention while incorporating
Jewish values. This pilot became the impetus
for many successful parent-toddler curricula
nationally.
Cantor, with her infectious smile, charm-
ing wit and unbridled warmth, was a natural
leader. The first of these classes opened to
mothers and toddlers. They were so popular
they were soon offered five days a week. Two
teachers were added to meet the demand.
Cantor’
s classroom was exceptional: hamish,
warm, lively and thoroughly entertaining.
She taught song, art and Jewish traditions to
both parents and children.
In 1976, with the opening of the JCC in
West Bloomfield, Cantor toted her menag-
erie of toys, puppets, books and music to
new quarters in the Sarah and Irving Pitt
Child Development Center. She expanded
class offerings to include father-toddler classes
on Sundays, again filling to capacity. As fam-
ily dynamics changed, she welcomed many
grandparents and nannies who accompanied
their toddlers as well.
Cantor never missed a class. She was
organized, devoted and creative. Each week,
she’
d present a huge bag filled with props and
puppets that helped “tell the story” she shared
with her class. The children paid rapt atten-
tion to her storytelling while their parents
sat in awe. She created a magical experience.
Her big blue carpet was a place where life-
long friendships and a love for learning were
made.
Over the years, Cantor touched the lives of
three generations of families and thousands
of children who attended her classes.
In addition to her love of teaching, she
always made time to volunteer. She was a reg-
ular at the Jewish Film Festival and still assists
at every Jewish Book Fair and Bookstock
, in
the children’
s section, of course.
Cantor has made 34 trips to Israel — most
of them as a volunteer with SAR-EL, spend-
ing three weeks each summer at an army base
in a logistics support role. To commemorate
each of these trips, she adds a silver bangle
bracelet to her wrist as a proud reminder of
another year of service.
Cantor is passionate about teaching and
volunteerism, but her greatest sense of pride
and accomplishment comes from her six tal-
ented and creative children, 11 grandchildren
and two great-grandchildren, the luckiest
beneficiaries of her many wonderful gifts.
Please join her family, friends, former stu-
dents and parents to reminisce and wish her
a hearty Todah Rabah on Sept. 15. She’
d love
to see you there. Details at jccdet.org.
COURTESY OF SUSIE CANTOR
Barbara surrounded by her daughters: Nancy, Marcy,
Wendy and Susie.
JCC to Honor the Retired
Barbara Cantor
NANCY SOLWAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Barbara and six of her
11 grandchildren
a tribute