62 | DECEMBER 12 • 2024

RACHEL “RAYA”
BEZNOS, 78, of
Bloomfield Hills, died
Nov. 26, 2024.
She is survived by
her husband, Norman
Beznos; sister, Pesia Shamosh;
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law,
Harold and Barbara Beznos, and
Jerry and Lois Beznos; many lov-
ing nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends.
Mrs. Beznos was the devoted
daughter of the late Naftaly and the
late Gittle Becker; the dear sister-in-
law of the late Moshe Shamosh.
Interment was at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery. Contributions may
be made to Friends of the IDF,
Michigan Chapter, P.O. Box 999,
Walled Lake, MI 48390, fidf.org/
donate; or University of Michigan
Medical School, Pulmonary
Oncology Dept., 1301 Catherine
St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, giving.
umich.edu/basket/fund/312222.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

WALTER “WALLY”
CAPLAN, 82, of
Commerce Township,
died Nov. 27, 2024.
He is survived by his
beloved wife, Margo
Caplan; children, Andrea (Allyn)
Caplan Okun and Barney (Kelly)
Caplan; grandchildren, Zoe Okun
and Joss Okun; brother-in-law,
Martin Landay; adoring nieces and
nephews, Diane Landay, Stuart (Sue)
Landay, Bruce (Barbara) Landay,
Alena Kourkouliotis and Lisa
(Jeffrey) Kourkoulitis; many other
loving family members and friends.
Wally was the dear brother of
the late Elaine Landay and the late
David Caplan.
Interment was held at
Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale.
Contributions may be made
to Forgotten Harvest or to
Gleaners Community Food Bank.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

K

nown by friends and family as the “Moses
of Metropolitan Detroit,” longtime regional
director of BBYO Michigan Arnie Weiner
impacted thousands of Jewish teens’ lives throughout
his 39-year tenure at the organization. In fact, daugh-
ter Eve Keller says you’d be hard-pressed to find local
Jewish community members who never
encountered the name “Arnie Weiner.”
Arnie, who passed away on Nov. 23,
2024, at the age of 79, was often hailed as
a legend in Jewish Metro Detroit, as many
people wrote in outpourings of remem-
brance on social media.
He’s credited with playing a key role in
making Michigan Region BBYO one of
the strongest regions in the country. Arnie
instilled Jewish values, lessons of leadership
and the importance of giving back in everyone he
encountered on a personal and professional level.
Fellow BBYO staff and lay leaders recall Arnie’s
passion for education, while friends and family will
always remember his open ear. It’s a trait Eve says is a
rarity in the world, but one that never faltered.
No matter where Arnie went, no matter how many
years passed, he remembered every face, name and
story. That ability to listen and forge connections is
what made Arnie so impactful in his line of work.
While serving as BBYO Michigan regional director
from 1969-2008, he accompanied some 15 trips to
Israel, as well as trips to Bulgaria and Germany, with
BBYO staff and teens.
Yet for Arnie, his nearly four-decade tenure as
regional director of BBYO Michigan wasn’t just a
job. It was a mission and a duty to the Jewish people,
especially when it came to preserving the heritage for
generations to come. There’s even the Arnie Weiner
Professional Excellence Award dedicated in his honor
to staff members who further the organization’s prin-
ciples.
Arnie, who was born in New Jersey and later lived
in Grand Rapids, grew up in a loving family that
instilled Jewish leadership, tradition and wisdom in
him from a young age.
His father, Morris, was a hardworking hat sales-
man, while his mother, Ida, worked at a department
store. At the time, it wasn’t common for women to

work, but Ida wanted to provide Arnie, her only
child, with the best life possible.
Arnie was also close with his grandmother, Eva,
for whom he named his daughter. Every Sunday after
Hebrew school, he visited his grandmother, who
would make him traditional Eastern European
dishes.
Many years later, Arnie would carry those
same values with him. Under Arnie’s leader-
ship at BBYO Michigan, thousands of fellow
Jews went on to become community leaders
themselves.
Therefore, “Moses of Metropolitan
Detroit” couldn’t be a more fitting nickname
for a man who led countless people to self-
lessly give back and shape the community as
we know it today.
Whether he was a mentor, teacher, friend or col-
league, Arnie’s lessons continue to live on.
He gave wonderful advice, Eve says, and always
had a positive attitude with a big smile on his face.
Arnie loved going on walks, listening to classical
music and was a devoted sports fan.
Outside of work, Arnie was also a dedicated mem-
ber of Congregation Beth Shalom, where he attended
weekly services, edited the newsletter and served as
vice president on the board.
He also volunteered weekly at Yad Ezra, where he
packaged food for those in need.
Arnie was an adoring father and zaydie who played
Uno every Friday night after Shabbat dinner with his
grandson, Mason. With his son Matthew and daugh-
ter Eve, he’d play competitive games of Rummikub,
another family favorite.
Arnie will be missed by the entire community, but
his legacy will go for many years to come. He is sur-
vived by his son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and
Elisabeth Mirer; daughter, Eve Keller; grandchildren,
Mason Keller, Arthur Mirer and Margaret Mirer.
He is also survived by many other loving relatives,
friends, and the entire Jewish community, especially
those impacted by BBYO.
Those who wish to further honor the memory
of Arnie Weiner may do so by making a contribu-
tion to B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO),
Congregation Beth Shalom or Yad Ezra.

Remembering Arnie Weiner:
The Legend of Michigan
Region BBYO

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

Arnie Weiner

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