April 10, 2008
Obituaries
http://www.jewishjournal.com/ obituaries/article/obituaries_20080411/
Charlton Heston in his famed role as Moshe Rabbenu. Sipa Photo
The life of Charlton Heston, who died last Saturday at the age of 84, was marked by certain ironies.
He was an ardent civil rights activist, a Hollywood star who marched with Martin Luther King Jr. on Washington in 1963, but who became the embodiment of right-wing bluster as president of the National Rifle Association.
He was born and raised as an uber-WASP in the Midwest and gained his greatest fame portraying towering Jewish characters, Moses and Judah Ben Hur.
Even while reviled by most American Jews as an arch conservative, he was a close and loyal friend of many liberal Jews.
In a town famed for its licentiousness he was, by all accounts, a faithful husband to the same woman for 64 years.
It is interesting to speculate whether his portrayal of fearless, handsome Moses and Ben Hur had any impact in changing the stereotype of the Jew, still prevalent in America of the 1950s, as a money-grubbing, hook-nosed coward.
While perhaps a few moviegoers in the Bible Belt drew a connection between the heroic screen figure and the Jewish grocery store owner down the street, for most gentiles the historical gap was likely too much of a leap.
In the popular mind, the ancient Hebrews of the bible were one breed of men, contemporary Jews a completely different people. Moses escaped from Egypt, the grandfather of the New York lawyer arrived from Russia.
Indeed, it is fair to say that if Heston's birth name had been Horowitz, with the identical looks and talent, he would not have been cast to play Moses.
The self-conscious immigrant Jews who founded and ran the Hollywood studios had two unspoken rules:
Not to cast Jewish actors in Jewish roles, or, as Harry Cohn of Columbia Studios famously put it, "In my films, the Jews play Indians."
A second rule was to stick to biblical epics but avoid themes smacking of contemporary Jewish life. It wasn't until the creation of Israel that a Jewish (well, half-Jewish) Paul Newman, as Ari Ben-Canaan in "Exodus," could act a part, which the audience clearly identified as a contemporary Jew.
So farewell, Mosesâ¦errâ¦Charlton. You gave us many enjoyable hours on earth, and are ready, we are certain, for your second encounter with your Maker.
-- Tom Tugend, Contributing Editor
Herbert Acker died March 7 at 83. He is survived by his wife, Irma; sons, Brian (Michelle) and Robert (Ronda); and four grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman
Nancy Alspektor died March 2 at 86. She is survived by her sons Allan, Stan and Arthur; daughter, Roseann Alspektor-Shcalker; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Sholom Chapels
Arthur Ames died March 2 at 88. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons, Jeff and Steven Morton and Steven (Karen); daughter, Janet; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Mount Sinai
Lillian Aronson died March 1 at 100. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Fonstein. Hillside
Albert Abrams died March 1 at 82. He is survived by his daughters, Elise Abrams Nilsen and Wendy; son, Bruce; grandson, Rafael (Maya) Means; brother, Maury (Francine); niece; and nephews. Mount Sinai
Eva Auerbach died Feb. 28 at 84. She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Miller and Theresa Appel. Sholom Chapels
Bessly Bagel died March 11 at 69. She is survived by her daughters, Paula Smith and Bonnie Price; and companion, Phil Benjamin. Mount Sinai
Ilene Baker died March 3 at 59. She is survived by her husband, Larry; daughter, Kimberly; and brother, Brent (Carrie) Baltin. Mount Sinai
Jack Baker died March 7 at 87. He is survived by his son, Nathaniel; and brother, Alan. Mount Sinai
Dr. Martin Baren died March 10 at 75. He is survived by his wife, Sondra; daughters, Ellie, and Amy (David) Koch; sons, Dan (Stephanie) and Steve (Liz); seven grandchildren; and brother Murray (Billie). Malinow and Silverman
Anita Bayer died March 3 at 86. She is survived by her friends. Hillside
Bernice Bayer died March 8 at 85. She is survived by her sons, Gary and Jordan. Malinow and Silverman
Helen Berger died March 2 at 82. She is survived by her daughters, Susan Pyne and Laura Intfen; son, Henry; and six grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman
Dr. Gottfried Bloch died March 11 at 93. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Rosalyn; daughter, Ilana; and niece, Julie Kohne Greenberg. Mount Sinai
Rebecca Bondar died March 2 at 88. She is survived by her niece, Virginia O'Neill. Sholom Chapels
Henriette Botton died March 9 at 101. She is survived by her nieces, Lina Carmely, Lea Henigson, Lina Cohen and Dr. Nico Moshe. Malinow and Silverman
Rosa Broides died March 11 at 94. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Matilda Katz; and grandchildren, Don and Gil Broydes. Chevra Kadisha
Emily Jo Brown died March 9 at 71. She is survived by her husband, Sheldon; daughter, Jennifer (Joe) Edmonds; son, Warren; sister, Linda Kilgore; and brother, Sandy (Joanne) Schreiber. Malinow and Silverman
Esther Buntzman died Feb. 28 at 93. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Lehrman; sons, Mark, Arol and Gabriel; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Hillside
Shirely Louise Carlin died Feb. 28 at 78. She is survived by her son, Brian; and daughter Adrienne Roberts. Hillside
Lela Cohn died March 7 at 83. She is survived by her husband, Herbert; daughters, Susan, and Julie (Robert) Tornberg; son, Charles (Leslie); brother, Louis (Rita) Schlanger; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Malinow and Silverman
Harriet Cole died Feb. 25 at 83. She is survived by her husband, Ben; daughters, Ellie (David) Wilensky and Linda (Clark Swienhart) Katsumoto; grandchildren, Kailie and Kori; one great-grandson; and sister, Betty (Ross) Williams.
Juda Davis died Feb 24 at 89. He is survived by his wife, Magda; son, Ernest (Stephanie); and grandchildren, Ethan and Steven. Chevra Kadisha
Milton Ebbins died March 4 at 96. He is survived by his wife, Lynne; and son, Gary. Malinow and Silverman Helen Eder died Feb. 24 at 92. She is survived by her son, Sid; and family. Hillside
Marika Elias died Feb. 24 at 77. She is survived by her husband, Baruch; son, Elias (Norma); grandchildren, Rebecca and Barry; brother, David Cotter; and sister, Hana "Anut Za" Segal. Mount Sinai
Ann Epstein died March 8 at 72. She is survived by husband, Norm; daughter, Carole; son, Mark; daughter-in-law Laura; and three grandchildren. Hillside
Jared Epstein died March 4 at 49. He is survived by his mother, Florence; sisters, Esther and Rachel; and brother, Irving. Malinow and Silverman
Ruth Feldhorn died Feb. 26 at 90. She is survived by her husband, Sanford Rosen; son William (Linda); and granddaughters Joanne Vulsteke and Jana Fragen. Hillside
Ellis Fleg died Feb. 23 at 81. He is survived by his wife, Enid; son, Richard (Sue); daughter, Carolyn (Gerald) Fleg-Chalmers; and grandchildren, Charlie Chalmers and Amanda. Mount Sinai
Albert Fohrman died March 7 at 88. He is survived by his friends. Mount Sinai
Ruth Fond died March 11 at 100. She is survived by her sons, William and Howard (Josephine); grandchildren, Diane (Victor) Junger and David (Melissa); two great-grandchildren; and sister, Estelle Payne. Hillside
Marie Galante died March 11 at 87. She is survived by her niece, Margie Wiatt. Malinow and Silverman
Salomon Gerlicki died Feb. 29 at 66. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Deborah (Bahadir) Demirorz; sons, Mark, Mike and David; and two grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman
Maurice Gibbel died Feb. 28 at 78. He is survived by his wife, Corinne; sons, Stuart, Allan and John; and sisters, Pauline Wine and Helen Painter. Malinow and Silverman
Charles Gindin died Feb. 29 at 93. He is survived by his daughters, Harriet and Sandra. Groman
Robert Glesby died Feb. 26 at 82. He is survived by his wife, Elaine; sons, Dr. Mitchell (finacee, Lori) Cohen; Bruce (Denise Wior) and John Leland (Linda); daughter, Rebecca Ann (Jacob) Gamliel; four grandchildren; and sister, Arlene (Michael) Mack. Mount Sinai
Evalyn Goldman died Feb. 23 at 89. She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Simpson. Malinow and Silverman
Ezra Goodman died Feb. 26 at 91. He is survived by his brother, Eli Goodman. Hillside
Seemah Kitty Gordon died March 12 at 89. She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Morrissey, Sandy Boodman and Joanne. Hillside
Irene Gradstein died March 4 at 48. She is survived by her mother Rita; and brother, Henry (Donna) Gradstein. Hillside
Earle Hagen died March 1 at 82. He is survived by his sons, Jeffrey and David (Janet Bramson); daughter, Dorothy Goodman; and four grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Grace Hasson died Feb. 23 at 104. She is survived by her son, Louie (Elaine); 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great- great-grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman
Edith Houston died Feb. 24 at 87. She is survived by her daughter, Judy (Alan) Ross-Bunnage; son, David (Rosemary); five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Estelle Howard died March 6 at 91. She is survived by her daughters, Keeyla Meadows and Marthe (Joseph Margiotta); and sons, Dan (Virginia) and Earl (Elizabeth Phillips). Malinow and Silverman
Adele Hurwitz died March 6 at 92. She is survived by her son, Dr. David (Cindy); daughter, Elaine (Shelly) Bern; grandchildren, Tami (Chris) Yamashita and Darrin; and brother, Kenneth (Tilda) Husney. Mount Sinai
Eshagh Imanoel died Feb 29 at 84. He is survived by his wife, Zinat; sons, Simon (Simin) Masood and Michael (Roya) Mehrdad; daughters, Mahvash (Rahmat), Yafa (Joseph), Helen (Saeed) and Mahrokh (Javid); 16 grandchildren; brothers, Faraj (Yafa) and Iraj (Mazal); and sister, Shoukat. Chevra Kadisha
Marvin Paul Isaacson died March 9 at 90. He is survived by his sons, Gary and Stephen. Hillside
Lillian Jelin died March 1 at 86. She is survived by her son, Craig (Cindy); three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Henry Kahn died March 1 at 85. He is survived by his daughter, Myra Gage; son, Warren; and stepdaughter, Betsy. Malinow and Silverman
Annette Kalman died Feb. 23 at 80. She is survived by her daughter, Shulamis Lokeinsky. Groman
Alvin Karp died March 6 at 83. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, David (Denise); stepsons, Glenn and Brett Gottlieb; stepdaughters, Hillary Lottenberg, Kerry Silverstrom and Ellice Peled; brother, Irving (Ruth); and sister Naomi Goldors. Hillside
Carolyn Kerstein died March 8 at 75. She is survived by her husband, Myron; sons, Joel, Mark and Bruce Mann; sister, Stelle Feurers; and niece, Allison (Jeff) Jones.
Tuba Kibel died March 3 at 86. She is survived by her daughters, Janie (Alexander) Rosenberg and Reivekka Raynes; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Florence Kolin died March 11 at 94. She is survived by her sons, Ralph and Richard; and three grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman
Margarith Kraus died Feb. 27 at 90. She is survived by her sister, Rebeca Tabak; and brother, Aaron Kumetz. Malinow and Silverman
Pearl Miller Kreinick died Feb. 29 at 96. She is survived by her sons, Merwyn (Susie) and Steffan Miller; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Jack Kronmal died March 6 at 94. He is survived by his wife, Jean; sons, Lawrence (Marilyn) and Ronald (Flavia Zaro); three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren Mount Sinai
Bertie Krovetz died Feb. 26 at 91. She is survived by her daughter, Arlee Oppenheim; son, Bill (Lissa); five grandchildren; sister, Lee Hirsch. Mount Sinai
Abraham Alvin Kruger died March 1 at 86. He is survived by his wife, Frances. Hillside
Yetta Krul died Feb. 24 at 89. She is survived by her husband, Arnold; daughters, Myra (Sayed) Nourmand and Betty (Bernard) Grinberg; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman
Bernice Shirley Lansing died March 4 at 83. She is survived by her daughter, Ella Lee. Mount Sinai Leslie Lazerus died March 8 at 68. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; and brother, William (Kay). Malinow and Silverman
Leonard Benjamin Leon died Feb. 26 at 77. He is survived by his sons, Aaron and Kenneth. Groman
Phillip Levine died March 6 at 85. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, John and Steve (Triny); granddaughter Grace; and sister, Shirley (Paul) Pollock. Hillside
Stanley Levine died Feb. 23 at 95. He is survived by his daughters, Betsy Devore and Joanne (Donna) Gilman; son, Roger; five grandchildren; and great-grandchildren, Adam and Rivi. Mount Sinai
Robert Lee Lieberman died March 4 at 83. He is survived by his wife Elaine; and daughter Lonnie (Larry) Maurice. Hillside
Claire Low died March 9 at 92. She is survived by her son Lawrence; sister, Elizabeth Mischner; and niece Dolores Blumenfeld. Hillside
Ruth Lubin died March 4 at 96. She is survived by her daughters Barbara Burger and Mardene Conrad. Hillside
Michael Lyon died March 4 at 39. He is survived by his sister, Beth. Malinow and Silverman
Phoebe Malin died Feb. 29 at 83. She is survived by her son Mark; daughter, Karen Bagley; and sister, Paula Mandel. Hillside
Elinor Marks died March 10 at 87. She is survived by her son, Scott (Sandra) and granddaughter, Camryn. Mount Sinai
Joseph Mehditach died March 12 at 81. He is survived by his wife, Raya; son, Benjamin; daughter, Elizabeth (Derrel Freedman); and two grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Beatrice Middler died Feb. 25 at 88. She is survived by her son, Stewart; and daughter Rita. Groman
Denise Helene Miller died March 2 at 57. She is survived by her mother Edyth; and sister Lynne. Hillside
Lillian Miller died March 6 at 89. She is survived by her children, Terry, George (Barbara) and Gary; six grandchildren; and sister, Roslyn Lasnick. Mount Sinai
Richard Neidick died Feb. 27 at 68. He is survived by his cousin, Penny Krane. Malinow and Silverman
Abe Newmark died March 4 at 89. He is survived by his wife Helen; daughter, Eileen; and four grandchildren. Groman
Beatrice Olivestone died March 5 at 86. She is survived by her son, Michael (Pari); daughter, Rachelle (Mark) Berger; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Sholom Chapels
John Pasternak died March 9 at 92. He is survived by his daughter, Susan; and grandson, Matthew. Mount Sinai
Allen Herbert Pell died March 8 at 86. He is survived by his sons, Donald, Michael, Fred and Alan; daughter, Sandra Druxman; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Hillside
Bessie Jeanne Pell died March 9 at 88. She is survived by her sons, Donald, Michael, Fred and Alan; daughter, Sandra Druxman; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Hillside
Naima Perry died Feb. 28 at 97. She is survived her sons Albert and Edward; daughters, Carmela and Blanch; and three grandchildren. Groman
Bertram Pistol died March 9 at 80. He is survived by his wife, Paulette; sons, Jordan and Warren; daughters, Lise and Kaileh; three grandchildren; and sister, Estelle. Groman
Frances Pralgo died March 9 at 90. She is survived by her son, Melvin (Amy) Pralgo. Malinow and Silverman
Nancy Redfern died March 6 at 55. She is survived by her husband, Edward. Malinow and Silverman
Mildred Richman died Feb. 28 at 95. She is survived by her son, Stephen (Teri Chapman); daughter, Melodee (Frank Borrman) Berkey; and sister, Evelyn Kushner. Mount Sinai
Harry Rosen died March 2 at 78. He is survived by his sons, Craig and Neil; and three grandchildren. Groman
Doris Rosenthal died Feb. 27 at 84. She is survived by her sons, Marc (Eileen) and Paul (Claudia); and three grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Lotte Samet died Feb. 3 at 84. She is survived by her daughter, Ruth; son, Hanan (Leila); and grandson, Bret Polish. Hillside
Anne Samuels died March 4 at 88. She is survived by her son Neil (Teresa); nephew, Steve Erenberg; and niece, Shellie. Hillside
Julia Sant died March 7 at 94. She is survived by her son, Mel (Barbara); three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Suzanne Jane Sater died March 1 at 76. She is survived by her daughter, Meredith (Mark) Wexler; grandchildren, Morgan and Emily Wexler; brother, Mitchell (Nancy) Mohr, and sister, Marilyn (Arthur) Beck. Mount Sinai
Freda Schlesinger died Dec. 26 at 89. She is survived by her nephew, Marc (Sharon) Littman; nieces, Fawn (Howard) Caplan and Laurel (Michael) Gothelf; great-nieces; and great nephews.
Beth Schnyder died Feb. 27 at 34. She is survived by her brother Michael; nephew, Kyle; and niece, Lindsey. Groman
Linda Schonfeld died Feb. 25 at 61. She is survived by her cousins, Alan Leve, Hope Shaw, Sybil Bergman and Howard Holland. Hillside
Frieda Schnitzer died Feb. 24 at 83. She is survived by her husband, Leo; daughter, Jerri (Marshal) Safron; son, David (Mary); and four grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Rose Schwartz died Feb. 25 at 90. She is survived by her son, Michael; and daughters, Linda and Robin. Groman
Sami Shabetai died Feb. 24 at 53. He is survived by his brother, Elio Zarmati. Hillside
Maj. Edward Shelley died March 2 at 69. He is survived by his wife, Lauren Klein. Malinow and Silverman
Sandra Sholkoff died March 7 at 69. She is survived by her sons, David (Marcie) Sholkoff and Jack (Laura-Beth); daughter, Linda (Tony) Parker; and three grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Gregory Shtein died Feb. 27 at 76. He is survived by his daughter, Lana Strutsovskiy. Malinow and Silverman
Tony Shultz died March 15 at 60. He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Sofie; and sister, Cynthia (Andy) Williams. Mount Sinai
Nusia Silver died March 7 at 76. She is survived by her husband, Sol; children, Rita and Bonnie; and three grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Henry Silverman died March 2 at 90. He is survived by his children, Karen and Leonard. Mount Sinai Yale Simons died Feb. 28 at 94. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Yaakov; and grandchildren. Sholom Chapels
Maurice Singer died March 4 at 74. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; daughters, Risa (Steve) Salzman and Lori (Brad) Rose; son, Robert; stepsons, Gary (Lisa) and Mark (Pam) Levinstein; eight grandchildren; and sister, Lois Gress. Mount Sinai
Carol Socransky-Chetrit died March 6 at 68. She is survived by her husband, Michel Chetrit; daughters, Lisa (Kelly) Austin and Andrea Socransky; brothers, Stephen (Julie) and Lawrence (Joan) Genender; and former husband, Isadore Socransky. Mount Sinai
Sylvia Spiegel died March 5 at 95. She is survived by her son Arthur (Judy); daughter Etta (Stephen) Johnson; and granddaughter Melonie Johnson. Hillside
Frederick Steinberg died Feb. 24 at 84. He is survived by his sisters, Beatrice Pollack and Sylvia. Hillside
Adele Stewart died Feb. 25 at 85. She is survived by her daughters, Toni (Robert) Balch, Shellie and Lorie (Jeff Shein); seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Eli Sverdloff died Feb. 29 at 86. He is survived by his wife, Lea; daughter, Sandy (Edward Peterson); and son, Brent (Craig St. Clair). Mount Sinai
Alex Tager died March 1 at 73. He is survived by his wife, Irene; son, Robert (Clara); and grandchildren, Dale and Faye. Chevra Kadisha
Anita Tasoff died March 5 at 75. She is survived by her son, Robert (Michele); daughter, Ellen (Dan) Schwartz; and grandchildren, Julie and Lauren. Mount Sinai
Jack Telson died Feb. 28 at 93. He is survived by his wife, Belle Farer; sons, George (Linda), Mitch (Jaeffyne) and Bob (Rhea); stepchildren, Howard (Karen) Abby and Marc (Denise); eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai
Michele Ward died Feb. 25 at 62. She is survived by her husband, Ronal; children, Beth Cooper and Barry (Jan) Grumman; nieces; and nephews. Mount Sinai
Abraham Wasserman died Feb. 29 at 80. He is survived by his wife, Clarita Karlin; son, Jacob (Elaine); daugther Sharon (Jonathan Swerdlow); five grandchildren; and former wife, Anita. Sholom Chapels
Mitzi Winkler died Feb. 25 at 80. She is survived by her son, Jaime; and family. Hillside
David Wolnerman died Feb. 25 at 88. He is survived by his daughters Fern Kahn and Miriam Enright; and four grandchildren. Sholom Chapels
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