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