Obituaries

ROSENBERG, Beverley Nathan

Beverley Nathan Rosenberg of Scottsdale, Arizona – formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio – passed away on May 27, 2014. She is predeceased by her parents Abraham and Esther Nathan, as well as her loving sister Marjorie Nathan Loftspring. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bernard L. Rosenberg of Scottsdale, Arizona, her three children Ellyn and Michael Kruke of Scottsdale, Lauren Rosenberg of Dallas, Texas, and Deby and Tom Wolfcale of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jaye Kruke Rich and husband Court Rich, Jill Kruke and Kelley Kruke, Jacob, Benjamin, and Russell Wilner, and Preston and Peyton Wolfcale. Beverley is also survived by two great-grandchildren Zachary and Dylan Rich.

Beverley and her husband Bernard enjoyed a very active life playing tennis, golf, and bridge. She was active in NCJW, O.R.T, and was on the Isaac M. Wise Temple Sisterhood Board. She earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Xavier University, which allowed her to help others during her working career.

Beverley touched so many lives and will be missed by everyone that knew her. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be send to Banner Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at www.banneralz.org. Please leave your messages of condolences in the guest book at www.greenacresmortuary.net (NOT .com), where you can also share a nice memory with the family.

Services were held at the Green Acres Gan Ohav Shalom Cemetery in Temple, AZ on Thursday May 29, 2014. Shiva was held on Thursday evening.

BLUESTEIN, Rabbi Judith

Rabbi Judith Bluestein was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 2, 1948 to Paul and Joan Bluestein. She attended Cincinnati public schools, participated in Girl Scouts and played the accordion. She graduated from Walnut Hills High school.

After graduating from Walnut Hills, Rabbi Bluestein attended the University of Pennsylvania receiving a degree in Classics. She continued her education by doing graduate work at Case Western where she was awarded an M.A. in Religion (New Testament and Christian Origins) and an M.A. in Latin. She also received an M. Ed from Xavier University.

Rabbi Bluestein received her rabbinic ordination at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where she also received a Masters of Hebrew Literature and a M. Phil in Hebraic and Cognate Studies.

As her long academic career attests, Rabbi Bluestein was a consummate learner. She once said, “I suppose that I would be a professional student if that were possible. Since it is not, teaching provides the same excitement, for one continues to learn while teaching. It is always exciting watching students ‘make connections’ as well as find areas of interest which enrich their lives along with their minds.”

Rabbi Bluestein spent her life as a teacher; from the days where she taught Latin at her alma mater, Walnut Hills High School, to serving as a Rabbi to Jewish communities throughout the South and Midwest, including: Marion, Ohio; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Ames, Iowa; and this past year, Joplin, Missouri; as well as teaching Judaic Studies and Holocaust Studies at Northern Kentucky University and the University of Dayton. One friend described her as a “Meticulous scholar and compassionate teacher, helping others appreciate the intricacies and beauty of learning.” Another friend said that she “Embodied the idea that the life of a rabbi is to learn and to teach.”

She was a life-long member of Isaac M. Wise Temple, where she was consecrated and confirmed, along with being ordained at Plum Street Temple. Rabbi Bluestein was committed to Reform Judaism’s heritage of social justice, recently helping the effort to save the Anna Louise Inn Shelter for Women. In her extensive travels around the world – which included extended time in Rome, Greece, and Israel – she visited the Soviet Union in the 1970’s where she met with the Soviet Refuseniks. A friend said about her “She was a woman of deep heart, intellect and understanding. A quiet woman from far; but far from quiet.”

Rabbi Bluestein was a devoted daughter and friend. She took care of her parents, especially her mother, in their later years. She had a long friendship with Mrs. Sylivia Goldman, the widow of Rabbi Goldman of Wise Temple who Rabbi Bluestein saw as a mentor. Rabbi Bluestein took her to meals twice a week and gave her rides to temple. Although never married, she was a dedicated Aunt and Great Aunt to her nieces, nephew-in-law, and great-nephew. As a life-long fan of the Cincinnati Reds she was delighted to see the baby onesie from the Reds that awaited her great-nephew Theodore when he was born at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Rabbi Bluestein followed the Cincinnati Reds by listening to games on 700 WLW as well as attending games with family and friends. When she attended in person she engaged in the mostly lost art of keeping score. A lover of the visual and musical arts she was a regular subscriber to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Linton Music Series and frequent attender of the Cincinnati Symphony. On a more whimsical note she loved Charles Schulz’s Snoopy, giving Snoopy greeting cards and collecting stuffed Snoopys.

She had a great sense of humor. A friend and colleague said “She was a good friend and classmate – a kind and brilliant scholar and rabbi — I will miss her laughter, self-effacing smile and her humble manner. She was a blessing and will be remembered by her students, colleagues, and friends.”

Rabbi Bluestein passed away on May 29, 2014 – 29 Iyar 5774. She was predeceased by her arents Paul & Joan Bluestein, and her grandparents Norman & Eunice Bluestein, and Malvin & Elise Straus. She is survived by her sister Alice Greenbaum, brother-in-Law Larry Greenbaum, her nieces Amy Shaiman (Jason) and Emily Greenbaum, by her great-nephew: Theodore Jonah Shaiman, and by many devoted friends, especially Marlene Shmalo and Nancy Apfel

Funeral services took place at Weil Funeral Home, officiated by Rabbi Karen Thomashow and Rabbi Lewis Kamrass. Rabbi Thomashow delivered the eulogy and officiated at the graveside. Rabbi Bluestein was interred in the family plot at Judah Touro cemetery. The family requests that contributions in her memory be made to Plum Street Temple Preservation Fund and/or Isaac M. Wise Temple.