OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY
64 | SEPTEMBER 21 • 2023
An Inspiration for Goodness
Y
ale Tolwin was an unassuming
man whose kindness and irre-
pressible zest for life made a pos-
itive impact on anyone fortunate enough
to cross his path. A dedicated teacher,
devoted family man, fervent Zionist and
devout Orthodox Jew, he exemplified the
beliefs and values he held throughout his
long and productive life. Mr. Tolwin, 97,
of Glendale, Wisconsin, died on Sept. 5,
2023, at the home of his granddaughter
Henna Milworn in Southfield.
“My father used to say everyone should
draw a circle around themselves and bring
people into the circle instead of pushing
them out,” said Rabbi Alon Tolwin, found-
er of Aish Detroit, an Oak Park-based
organization that provides innovative
social, religious and educational program-
ing to engage Jews of all ages and denom-
inations.
Yale Tolwin was born in Bialystok,
Poland, in 1926. His mother brought
4-year-old Yale and his three siblings to the
United States to join their father, who had
immigrated four years earlier to earn funds
to bring his family over. The family set-
tled in Milwaukee, determined to remain
observant in a non-Orthodox community
where kosher food and other resources
were scarce.
In school, Yale developed his athletic
prowess, becoming a semi-professional
boxer and wrestler, a skill that served him
well when he was drafted by the U.S. Navy
and found himself a target of antisemitism.
After returning from Okinawa, Yale
continued his pre-war job as a diesel
mechanic for Allis-Chalmers while pur-
suing his longtime dream of moving to
Israel through a local organization that
helped people make aliyah. The first leg
of his journey was a chicken farm in
Poughkeepsie, New York, where he met his
future wife, Shirley, an overseas correspon-
dent for Reuters news service who also
served as a spy for the Israeli underground,
Haganah.
The couple married and moved to
Israel, eventually returning to Milwaukee
where Yale resumed his previous job and
earned a teaching degree. Together, they
raised five children in a loving home
infused with Jewish values that included
putting family first and giving back to the
community.
For over 30 years, Yale worked in the
public school system, teaching reading
skills to at-risk students who had fallen
behind.
A BETTER WORLD
Yale was a conservationist before it was
popular, avoiding paper plates and other
disposable products. As the leader of a
Jewish Scout troop, he taught the boys to
leave a campsite neater than they found it,
a reflection of his general attitude toward
the world around him.
“He was always working for a better
tomorrow,” Alon said. “He was positive,
optimistic, brave, energetic and wise; he
had no time for self-pity.”
Yale was an avid gardener, growing a
variety of vegetables that included the
garlic and dill he used to make his own
pickles. He gave great importance to peo-
ple and had little use for material things,
avoiding unnecessary purchases and
teaching his children to do the same. He
believed investing in relationships yielded
the greatest return.
“Our Zaidy never did anything for show,
”
said granddaughter Sheina Kopstein, speak-
ing at his funeral service. “He knew how to
make people feel special and wasn’t afraid to
admit when he was wrong.
”
Rabbi Simcha Tolwin, executive director
of Aish Detroit, described his grandfather
as the “extreme opposite of an elitist” who
preferred helping others to serving his own
interests.
Despite his advancing age, Yale refused
to give in to infirmity, riding a bicycle at
the age of 87 and serving on his synagogue
board through his 90s. He was an icon in
the Milwaukee community, enjoying rich
relationships with people of all generations
and helping others connect with their own
Jewish identities.
“He was my father, best friend, teacher
and role model who lived a full, fantastic
life,” said his son, Dr. Michael Tolwin. “He
went through life knowing who he was,
and he made every moment precious.”
Yale Tolwin is survived by his children,
Rabbi Alon (Leah Gella) Tolwin, Dr.
Michael (Marilee) Tolwin, Shira (the late
Michoel) Pomeranz and Samuel (Shaindy)
Tolwin; sister, Sylvia Gross; and many
loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren
and great-great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his devoted wife,
Shirley Tolwin, and beloved son, Nachum
(Chaya Tolwin-Papermaster) Tolwin.
Interment was at Agudas Achim
Cemetery, Cudahy, Wisconsin. Donations
honoring the memory of Yale Tolwin
may be made to Aish Detroit, 25725
Coolidge Hwy., Oak Park, MI 48237,
(248) 327-3579, www.aishdetroit.com/
donate; Detroit Chesed Project, 30555
Southfield Road, Suite #520, Southfield,
MI 48076, https://detroitchesed.org/
donate/; Hatzalah of Michigan, 13650 Oak
Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI 48237, email
info@detroithatzalah.org; or Bikur Cholim
of Detroit, (248) 278-8484, https://bikur-
cholimdetroit.com/donate. Arrangements
by Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay
(Wisconsin) Funeral Home and Hebrew
Memorial Chapel in Oak Park.
RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Yale Tolwin