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MICHAEL GIMBEL, 90, formerly of Detroit of San Diego. Mr. Gimbel practiced law in Detroit. He was still taking classes up until his death. He is survived by his wife Adrienne (Ada); sons, David and Kenneth, all of San Diego; son, Avram (Dennis) of Berkeley, Illinois city.
Rabbi Elliot Pachter of Congregation B'nai Moshe in West Bloomfield, who officiated at Mr. Sosin's funeral Thursday, often visited him at Fleischman, where he had lived since 1996 after suffering a minor stroke. "Max celebrated his birthday by the Hebrew calendar, so it was always on the second day of Rosh HaShana," said Rabbi Pachter. "He had the honor of leading the congregation in "Adon Olam." Everyone just loved him and his singing style, and they joined right in."
Mr. Sosin spent most of his synagogue-going years at Congregation B'nai David, then took a circle of friends with him to B'nai Moshe in the early 1990s to make it easier for him to attend Shabbat services. "They really enjoyed each other's company," said Rabbi Pachter.
"Max was 'Mr. B'nai David'," said Larry Traison of Bloomfield Hills, who served two terms as B'nai David's president. "I got to know him very well, and he was one of our most popular members. His rendition of "Adon Olam" was the highlight of the year."
Jack Kraizman, 90, a retired attorney and past president of B'nai David, served on B'nai David's board with Mr. Sosin for more than 30 years. "Max was something special -- and the community will miss him," Kraizman said. "He entertained groups of all kinds in English, Yiddish and Russian, and the people just loved it. And he was a real visionary as a board member. After we established the Southfield [B'nai David] building, he wanted to build an even newer sanctuary further into the northern suburbs. He always had a dream for a more modern and better place."
Retired real estate developer Sid Silverman of Southfield remembers Mr. Sosin for their work together in the local chapter of the Zionist Organization of America. Silverman, past president of both the local and national ZOA groups, recalled how Mr. Sosin always "made the Jews of Detroit laugh" with his many anecdotes as master of ceremonies for 20 years at the annual Balfour Celebration, the ZOA's main fund-raising effort. "And, of course, he was an ardent Zionist."
Carol Rosenberg, associate director of the Jewish Home & Aging Services, called Mr. Sosin "a real symbol of the elderly people in the Jewish community. We were proud he chose to live at Fleischman in his later years and have us care for him. When you lose a resident like Max, you lose greatness.
"He was a teacher to all of us, helping the rabbi lead services and regularly attending the daily minyan. And he was always dressed with a tie and jacket like a real gentleman. He had wit, class and real menshkeit."
Another Fleischman resident, Ann Paneth, said Mr. Sosin entertained at the home's ice cream social only last month, "but he was finding it more and more difficult to walk, and he got around mainly in a wheelchair. He talked Yiddish to me all of the time. He was a fine, dignified gentleman."
Mr. Sosin tried his best to take field trips with the other residents, especially to concerts, but he also made it to Tiger Stadium last year. When a volunteer assisted him in a trip to the men's room in the third inning, he quipped: "We should be back by the seventh-inning stretch."
Throughout his "show business" career in his younger days, Mr. Sosin never gave up his day job -- first as a salesman for Wayne Drug and Sundries, then as a manufacturer's representative for Sosin Sales, which he sold in the 1980s. He always told the latest jokes to his customers along the way.
One of Mr. Sosin's fondest memories was a joke-telling session with Henny Youngman and his mother after the late comedian performed at a Detroit nightclub. "We told jokes until 4 a.m. -- and his mother was the funniest," he recalled.
Mr. Sosin's "biggest fan" was his wife, Ruth, who died in 1994. They had been married 61 years. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Harvey and Elizabeth Sosin of Texas; sons and daughter-in-law Marshall Solomon of Novi, David and Julie Solomon of West Bloomfield; grandchildren Jennifer and Jacob Nathan, Dylan Glickman, Joshua, Samantha and Scott Solomon; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Dr. Mervyn Ross and Dr. Larry and Joan Genender.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple Shir Shalom. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
FREDERICK SHEYER, 80, of West Bloomfield, died Aug. 11, 2000. He is survived by his sons, Martin Sheyer of Oak Park, Harvey Sheyer of N.Y., formerly of Detroit, died Aug. 10, 2000. He is survived by his father, Morton Genser of Royal Oak; brothers, Randall Genser of Detroit, Adam Genser of Bloomfield Hills; sister, Leslie Serath of Southfield. Contributions may be made to Jewish Family Service, 24123 Greenfield, Southfield, MI 48075 or to a charity of one's choice. Interment at Machpelah Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
DR. JASON A. GOODE, 66, of Bloomfield Hills, died Aug. 10, 2000. He was a dentist and a past president of Alpha Omega Dental fraternity, president and director of the U.S. Dental Golf Association and a past president of the U.S. Dental Tennis Association. He was a member of Temple Emanu-El and Temple Shir Shalom. Also, Dr. Goode was a past chairman of the Professional Division of the Allied Jewish Campaign, past chairman of the Parent Youth Guidance Committee of Southfield, founding president of the Couples Club of Temple Emanu-El. Dr. Goode produced full-scale productions at Alpha Omega and Knollwood Country Club. Dr. Goode is survived by his wife, Cyrille Goode; son and daughter-in-law, Rabbi Tzvi and Shifra Goode of Baltimore; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Kenneth Friedman; grandchildren, Mordechai, Nesanel, Leah, Elyiahu, Baila, Yehushua, Yisrael, Yocheved, Sirka, Ester and Broncha Necha Goode, Starr, Zachary and Tyler Friedman. He was the dear brother of the late Dr. Conrad Goode and the late Marilyn Soverinsky. Interment at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Yesodei Hatorah of Baltimore, 2509 Summerson Road, Baltimore, MD 21209. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
BERTHA KANFER, 77, of West Bloomfield, died Aug. 10, 2000. She is survived by her daughter, Judye Kanfer of West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Sydney, Samantha and Drew Glazer; sister, Sylvia Chandler of Bloomfield Hills. She was the beloved wife of the late Albert Kanfer; dear sister of the late Doris Hollo; loving daughter of the late Morris and Nettie Green. Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
ZOLTAN S. WALLIS, 85, former Detroiter of Northbrook, Ill., died Aug. 10, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Bernice; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Harvey Abrams of Glenview, Ill.; son, Richard H. of Ohio, Abba and Rena Shapiro of Farmington Hills; devoted, caring Sue Smith. Contributions may be made to Calif.; sons, Dr. Michael Wartell of Philadelphia and Cantor Kevin Wartell of Allentown; brother, Joseph of Ocala, Fla.; sister Betty Reitman of San Diego; two grandchildren. She was the wife of the late Maurice Mitchell Wartell. Contributions may be made to the Maurice and Edith Wartell Jewish Family Programming Fund of Temple Beth El, 1702 Hamilton, Allentown, PA 18104 or the Alzheimer's Association. Interment at Beth El Memorial Park.
DOROTHY KLEIN, 88, of Beverly Hills, died Aug. 7, 2000. She was a teacher and a member of Hadassah. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Cindy Klein of Tucson; daughter and son-in-law, Ellen Bourke and Jack Rowland of Beverly Hills; grandchildren, Michelle Bourke, Dave Bourke, Melissa Klein; brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Martin and Harriet Selik of Southfield; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Selik and Eleanor Selik. She was the beloved wife of the late Myron Klein. Interment at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Calif., died Aug. 6, 2000. He was a dentist. Mr. Altman is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Michael Kessler of Sebastopol; son, Carl Altman of Clawson; grandson, Julian Altman. He was the beloved husband of the late Edith Altman. Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
