Sylvia Fay Haft Firschein

About

Brandeis University

Sylvia Firschein Obituary

Firschein, Sylvia Fay Haft
April 8, 1933 - May 16, 2011

Sylvia Fay Haft Firschein, 78, of Sarasota, formerly of Wayne, N.J. died May 16, 2011.
Services will 1 p.m. Sunday in the main sanctuary of Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota.
Sylvia was married for 46 years to Hilliard Firschein, who passed away in December. She was an prominent member of the Jewish community in two states, New Jersey and Florida, both as a librarian and storyteller.
She was a founding member of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Wayne, N.J., formerly known as the Wayne Conservative Congregation. When the YM-YWHA of North New Jersey was built in Wayne, she helped create the library and became its founding librarian. She was a long-time member of the Association of Jewish Libraries, and once served as the Association's Secretary.
Upon moving to Sarasota after retirement, she remained active in the Jewish community by volunteering at Temple Beth Sholom as the Director of the Idelson Library, becoming its director and building it into a vibrant institution.
She is a 1955 graduate of Brandeis University and remained active over the years by participating in many alumni activities and outreach efforts.
She was a kind, loving woman who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.
Survivors include a daughter, Merry and husband David Swirnoff of Jersey City, N.J.; a son, Warren and wife Dawn Goldsmith of Safety Harbor, Fla.; a brother, Jacob Haft of Tenafly, N.J.; and grandchildren Sophie, 8 and Elena, 5.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Temple Beth Sholom Library Fund.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald Tribune from May 18 to May 19, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Sylvia Firschein

10 Entries

Warren Firschein

May 25, 2011

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for those wonderful memories of my mother and your kind words about her. Her relationships with others were always important to her, as were her contributions to the community. When something interested her, she would go out and do it, whether it was to learn to play the cello, learn to speak Yiddush, or learn how to make a dress for my daughter. In that light, I believe that the best way to honor her memory is simply to go out and learn how to do something new, something that you've never done before, simply because you want to and it would give you pleasure.

All the best,

Paul Calderaro

May 24, 2011

I never met Sylvia, but I enjoyed reading how she touched peoples' lives.

Condolences to all who will miss her and blessings to all who will keep her in their hearts.

Adeline Silverman

May 24, 2011

Sylvia was a very special person and her dedication to Temple Beth Sholom's library made it one of the very best. Her contributions to enriching programs will be missed by all. With deepest sympathy to her family. May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

May 21, 2011

"A beautiful lady both inside and out. She is beloved by all who knew her. A gentle and kind human being with enormous talents. We are very sad." Sherry and Harold Wolfe

Carol Bell

May 20, 2011

My first connection to Sylvia was in the 1980's, when my children attended nursery school at the Wayne Y while she was the librarian. Both enjoyed their visits to the Y library with their classes for Story Time.
When I was pregnant with my second child, I visited the Y library to look through baby name books. Sylvia remembered this for years. Coincidentally her monthly storytelling Friday night service at Shomrei Torah fell during my daughter's Bat Mitzvah weekend in November 1994. Sylvia chose a special story to tell for the "baby that she had helped name."
Sylvia moved to Florida, and I moved to Boston, and became a day school librarian. We reconnected at the AJL Convention in Cambridge in 2006. Sylvia recognized me immediately, and remembered my children. She insisted that we take a picture together, and was kind enough to send me a copy after she returned home.
I have enjoyed reading her AJL chapter notes in the association publication, and will miss her smile and charming manner.

Bina Nadler

May 20, 2011

Sylvia was my first friend in Sarasota twelve years ago. Her sudden death is a great personal loss as it will be to the Jewish community. She will be greatly missed. My condolenses to her family.

Cecilia & Stan Katz

May 19, 2011

We are greatly saddened by the sudden passing of Sylvia. She was a wonderful friend and neighbor. We will miss her. Our sincere condolenses to her daughter, her son, and other members of her family.
Cecilia and Stanley Katz

May 19, 2011

I knew Sylvia for many year as we were members of Assn.Jewish Libraries

Victor Zabelle

May 18, 2011

I met Mrs. Firschein only very recently and, as her travel agent, helped with an airline ticket. She was a lovely lady and I am saddened by her very unexpected passing.

William Freund

May 18, 2011

I attended a Bereavement Group with Sylvia only a few weeks ago and she seemed in good health. I am greatly saddened, especially since she really was a loving and dedicated person. She was not only Librarian at Temple Beth Sholom but she organized special programs, including a series on Interesting Lives (at which I appeared).
May she rest in peace.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results