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