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

continued on page 64