OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY
B
arbara Goldsmith Levin,
acclaimed Jewish educator,
passed away in Jerusalem on
Feb. 27, 2022. She was 82.
Born in Detroit, she attended Adat
Shalom Synagogue, co-founded
by her late parents Max and Alice
Goldsmith, where she
became the first bat mitz-
vah in Michigan history.
Mrs. Levin graduated
from the joint program at
Columbia University and
the Jewish Theological
Seminary in New York
City. After working as an
educator in California and
New York, she moved to
Israel in 1969, residing in
Jerusalem.
With other immigrants from the
United States, she helped establish a
new educational option for families
seeking a school that would offer
both secular studies and enriched
traditional Jewish learning. By
appealing to all students regardless
of religious observance, it was a
path-breaking pluralistic approach.
From 30 students housed in a
dilapidated shack in 1976, the pro-
gram blossomed into an entire edu-
cational movement, known as TALI.
It now boasts over 1,000 school
programs throughout Israel, encom-
passing some 130,000 students. The
flagship institution in Jerusalem,
offering preschool through eighth
grades, is the Sam and Jean Frankel
School, named after the legendary
Detroit-area philanthropists.
Architect of the innovative reli-
gious and Jewish thought curricu-
lum, Mrs. Levin served as principal
for nearly 30 years. She was an
indefatigable multi-tasker, teaching
Talmud and establishing a commu-
nity-wide musical theater program.
She also created a family education
program to involve parents and stu-
dents in learning about their Jewish
heritage together.
After retiring, she remained fully
engaged: as a consultant and fund-
raiser for TALI, and as the leader
of the children’s congregation and
designer of adult education programs
at her synagogue, Ramot Zion, in her
French Hill neighborhood.
Among her significant inno-
vations as an educator was her
outreach to families from
economically deprived
backgrounds. She also main-
streamed the teaching of
autistic students before that
approach had gained any
traction within Israel. Her
efforts allowed innumera-
ble students facing signif-
icant barriers to advance
into higher education and
responsible jobs.
Her accomplishments earned
her numerous accolades. The
Municipality of Jerusalem honored
her as a Yakirat Yerushalayim, a des-
ignation as an “eminent” resident of
the city for her educational efforts
at promoting “tolerance and com-
munal harmony.” As an immigrant
who made “historic advancements”
in education, she was feted at a cer-
emony at the Knesset, Israel’s par-
liament, as a “Bonei Zion.” She also
received the prestigious Education
Prize from Israel’s Ministry of
Education.
Mrs. Levin is survived by her
children, Rachel Meged and Doron
Levin; and her grandchildren, Tara
Meged, Yulie Meged, Ari Levin and
Daniel Levin.
She was the devoted daugh-
ter of the late Max and Alice
Goldsmith; the adoring sister of the
late Merwin Goldsmith (Barbara
Parry Goldsmith), Jonathan (Luba)
Goldsmith, Steven Goldsmith, Mark
(Judy) Goldsmith; and doting aunt to
numerous nephews and nieces.
Those wishing to honor Barbara
Levin’s memory may do so with a
contribution to the American Israel
Education Fund, c/o Stanley Franke,
2301 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 900,
Troy Michigan 48084.
An Innovative Educator
56 | MARCH 10 • 2022
Barbara Levin
FAYCLARE BLAU, 78, of Bloomfield
Hills, died on March 1, 2022.
She was born in Helena,
Arkansas, before moving to Detroit.
She graduated from Mumford High
School before starting her life-long
career as a dental assistant.
Although she enjoyed working with people in
the dental chair, nothing provided her more joy
than Sunday night dinners in her kitchen sur-
rounded by her family. She often also could be
found knitting for her grandchildren, singing in
Temple Beth El’s choir or raising funds and can-
cer awareness through her work with Queen-
For-A-Day, among other charities.
She will be remembered for her sweet smile,
warm and welcoming nature, selflessness and
passion for helping others.
Mrs. Blau is survived by her husband of 57
years, Dr. Robert Blau. She was the sister of
Donald Sand and the late Jay Sand. She was the
mother of Randy (Michelle) and the late David
(Risa). She is also survived by grandchildren,
Jackson, Sydney, Grant and Gabrielle; nieces,
Michelle and Laura; as well as countless friends.
She was the devoted daughter of the late Dr.
Harry Sand and Mildred Sand.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to American
Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive,
Southfield, MI 48076, cancer.org; or Make-A-
Wish Foundation, Team Alex, 7600 Grand River
Road Suite 175, Brighton, MI 48114,
teamalexrides.org. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
WILLIAM COHEN, loving husband,
father, grandfather, brother, uncle,
cousin and friend, died on Feb. 23,
2022, in Novi of complications from
Alzheimer’s disease.
He was introduced to Ricki, the
love of his life, at the University of Michigan by
her brother, Clifford, when Bill and Ricki were
both 18 years old. They skipped their college
graduation to get married on May 24, 1964, in
New York City.
Bill was an accomplished bankruptcy and
reorganization attorney in Detroit for more than
40 years. After obtaining undergraduate and
law degrees from the University of Michigan,
he began his career in 1967 at the law firm
Hertzberg, Jacob, & Weingarten, before merging
that firm’s bankruptcy and insolvency practice