OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

J

udith Levin Cantor was a noted Jewish historian, cura-
tor and author, an inspirational community leader and 
the devoted matriarch of a large and loving family with 
branches across the world. A fourth-generation Detroiter, 
Judy passed away on July 26, 2022, in Issaquah, Wash., where 
she resided for the past four years. She was 93.
Judy was a leader in the Jewish Historical Society of 
Michigan (JHSM), serving as president and longtime editor 
of the annual journal, Michigan Jewish History. She brought 
new life to the organization and was instrumental in devel-
oping the award-winning youth bus tours of historic Jewish 
Detroit.
According to JHSM President Jeannie Weiner, “Judy was 
our bedrock — a past president, a constant cheerleader and 
supporter, the person behind the historic 
markers across the state of Michigan, and the 
power behind our endowment.”
Judy was also the author of Jews in 
Michigan: Discovering the Peoples of Michigan 
(2001) and wrote numerous articles for a vari-
ety of publications. 
Judy was born in Detroit in 1928, the 
daughter of Professor Samuel and Lillian 
(Keidan) Levin and the granddaughter of 
Rabbi Judah Leib Levin. She adored her three 
much-older siblings, Joe, Miriam and Herb, 
and enjoyed tagging along on their teenage adventures. 
Like many children and teens raised during the Depression 
and WWII, she assumed responsibilities at a young age and 
became resourceful as a result. 
At 16, Judy graduated Central High School and attended 
the University of Michigan, studying English and history. 
Seeking adventure, she moved to Washington, D.C., and took 
a teaching job in a rural Maryland high school. She faced 
down the challenges of antisemitism and sexism with the 
same determination she displayed throughout her life.
In a D.C. ice cream parlor she met Bernard Cantor, her 
husband and helpmate for 71 years. The couple moved to 
Detroit, where they got married and raised five children. In 
the early years, they managed to have fun on a small bud-
get, swimming and camping and taking car trips to visit 
Bernard’s parents in New York. 
Judy was fearless, willing to step up when needed regard-
less of the situation. During a teaching stint in Israel, she 
refused to come home when war broke out, insisting on 
staying in the bomb shelters with the children to hold their 
hands and offer comfort.
“She taught us to live with strength and fire,” said her 
granddaughter, Lani. 
As her large extended family scattered across the globe, 

Judy was the bond that held them together. Her annual 
Passover seders became gigantic family reunions, attended by 
relatives from places throughout the country and the world.
“She saw family as the integral link between the past, 
the present and the future, the way of acknowledging and 
respecting where we came from and passing on the traditions 
and values to future generations,” said her son, Glenn.

PASSION FOR HISTORY
After the children were grown, Judy attended graduate 
school at Wayne State University, earning a certificate in 
archiving. She pursued her longtime passion for Jewish his-
tory, curating historical exhibits for museums, hospitals and 
synagogues, many of which traveled around the state. 
As well as her work with the Jewish Historical 
Society of Michigan, Judy was an active mem-
ber of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, where she 
created an extensive archive of historical infor-
mation and personal memorabilia for the syna-
gogue’s 120th anniversary celebration in 1981. 
In addition to serving on several boards, Judy 
received many honors, including the State of 
Michigan “First Lady of Michigan” award in 1987, 
the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan’s Leonard 
N. Simons History Award in 1998, the Eight Over 
Eighty Award from Jewish Senior Life of Metro 
Detroit in 2010 and the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
“Her tireless work was never about her,” said Judy’s niece 
Peggy Daitch. “She was so modest, but she did things that 
set the table for the future. She seeded the way for Jews to 
share their history and heritage so everyone could better 
understand the Jewish experience in America, particularly 
Michigan.”
Judith Levin Cantor is survived by her husband, Bernard; 
children, Glenn (Inge Eriks), Cliff (Pauline), Jim (Susan), 
Mark (Karen) and the late Ellen Cantor; grandchildren, 
Lani (Stig Vatland), Alida (Travis Pritchard), Clara (Juliette 
Larmier), Dan (Anna), Emma (Josiah Brown), Tilly (Tadd 
Pearson), Lauren, Brian and Erica; great-grandchildren, Lily, 
Kai, Arthur, Leo, Luca, Max and Aya and a world of col-
leagues and friends. 
Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. 
Contributions in memory of Judith Levin Cantor may be 
made to American Technion Society, supporting mental 
health telemedicine for Technion students, 55 East 59th St., 
New York, NY 10022, (212) 407-6300, ats.org; or Jewish 
Historical Society of Michigan, 33228 W, 12 Mile, #349, 
Farmington Hills, MI 48332, (248) 915-0114, 
michjewishhistory.org/donate/tribute-donation. 
Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman Chapel. 

An Unassuming Powerhouse

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

64 | AUGUST 11 • 2022 

Judith Levin Cantor

