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KAUFMAN--Bel. As the only sibling of Bel Kaufman, I mourn the death of my remarkable sister, who died of natural causes in her New York apartment on July 25 at the age of 103. She is survived by two children, Thea and Jonathan Goldstine, by a granddaughter, Susan Goldstine, and by her husband of more than forty years, Sidney Gluck. She is also survived by my own children, Kenneth and Keith Kaufman, and by my grandchildren Kara, David, and Rachel. Bel and I emigrated to America from Russia with our family in 1922, when Bel was eleven years old. She used to say that she learned to speak English by osmosis, or at least enough to receive her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, from Hunter College and her M.A. with first honors from Columbia University. Our grandfather was the famed and much-beloved author-humorist Sholom Aleichem, whose Tevye stories inspired the Broadway musical "Fiddler on the Roof." I've known my wonderful sister for all of my 94 years. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for any donations in Bel's memory to: Yivo Institute for Jewish Research, 15 West 16th St., NY, NY 10011, www.yivo.org; National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene, 90 John St. #410, NY, NY 10038, nationalyiddishtheatre.org; or the Hunter College Foundation, 695 Park Ave., NY, NY 10065, www.hunter.cuny.edu Sherwin Kaufman
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Valenda Newell
November 23, 2016
This is a very belated acknowledgment, and I was sorry to read about her death. Her book, Up the Down Staircase was an excellent depiction of the problems both teachers, and students are faced with.
Nancy Dudwick
April 10, 2015
May her memory forever be a blessing. I was lucky enough to meet her.
Igor Galanter
August 25, 2014
Heartfelt sympathy to all the family
From
Kathryn Berman,
Jerusalem, Israel
Kathryn Berman
August 14, 2014
My condolences to the entire family. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Bel, this incredible woman, last December. You have been blessed by having her in your lives for so long.
Carol Turetsky
August 7, 2014
Ron Aymett
August 3, 2014
To the family of Ms. Kaufman, our deepest sympathy. May God comfort you all during this time. Ms. Kaufman touched many lives and she will be greatly missed.
July 30, 2014
"Sorry for your loss. Psalm 90:9,10 Said: Our life ebbs away because of your fury; And our years come to an end like a whisper. The span of our life is 70 years, Or 80 if one is especially strong. But they are filled with trouble and sorrow; They quickly pass by, and away we fly.
July 29, 2014
Soon death will be no more.
July 29, 2014
I'm sorry for your loss. God promises us that there will come a victory over death.
A R
July 29, 2014
July 29
My prays are sent to the family and friends. I hope memories of Bel comfort you at this time of your loss.
July 29, 2014
condolences-peace
joaquim-r-redeemer barbosa
July 28, 2014
Heartfelt condolences to family and loved ones. May the God of all comfort be with you.
Stacy
July 28, 2014
My sincere condolences to the family as we await the time when "no resident will say I am sick" Isa 33:24;
July 28, 2014
A wonderful teacher, a fabulous lady and she set a new standard of glamor that featured brains and humor as a major ingredients of sexy.
She's forever my teacher.
Ellen Petersilie Gilman , H.S. of Performing Arts, Class of '56
Ellen Gilman
July 28, 2014
We are very sorry for your loss. Bel was an amazing woman, full of life. She will be in our memories.
-Phyllis and Irwin Ginsburg
Irwin Ginsburg
July 28, 2014
Sincere condolences from Herb Latner and Carol Friedman to Bel's family. She was a living legend and treasure to all of us privileged to know and love her. She remains in our hearts and memories as she becomes part of history.
July 28, 2014
Goodbye, Teach, but you will not be forgotten. I circulated my copy of Up the Down Staircase to everyone when I was in junior high and they signed the interior cover. Thank you for sharing your great gift with others.
Buckeye Fan
July 28, 2014
There is no losing Bel Kaufman - she is in our souls, our skin
our laughter and our tears forever - a sublime raconteur -
a woman who celebrated life and gave us her passion and
humor - irresistible - irreplaceable - I even got to go dancing
with her when she had already entered her nineties! How
lucky to have known her and hug her and I will continue to do
so Louise Sorel - My love to the family
louise sorel
July 27, 2014
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Zoya Polevaya
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Zoya Polevaya
July 27, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort (2 Cor. 1:3) hear your prayers and give you a measure of his peace during this time.
July 27, 2014
Zoya Polevaya
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No more will there be an old man who fails to live out his days. For anyone who dies at a hundred will considered a mere boy, for the days of God's people will be like the days of a tree, so have faith and do not wonder, for our God can make us stand. And we shall live forever, As the work of his own hand. May God comfort the family.
July 27, 2014
Bless her. I still have the book. I still recommend it. I still read it. I still love it.
Mary C.
July 27, 2014
To the Kaufman family, my sincere condolences. May the Almighty God (psalm 83:18) be with the family at this time.
G G
July 27, 2014
Safe, Whole, and Intact
selma boyd
July 27, 2014
It is hard to express all our sadness and love. We will miss Bel, our dear-dear Belochka, wonderful, warm, and charming person, gifted writer, and granddaughter of Sholem Aleichem. She will be in our hearts and memory. Let our love reach her soul through the universe.
Our sincere condolences to the family.
Zoya Polevaya, Yuri and Anna Shekhter, and cultural club "Exlibris NJ".
Zoya Polevaya
July 27, 2014
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers and God will help you get through this difficult time. We look toward to the time when God will resurrect our love ones again. Job
Ashley
July 26, 2014
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
July 26, 2014
Bel Kaufman was a force of life, and one which seemed never to be extinguished. Her life and spirit were exemplary and influenced generations of teachers, writers and others. I had the pleasure of interviewing her at home a few years ago, and it is an experience I will always treasure. My condolences to her family.
Barbara Isenberg
July 26, 2014
I am Sorry, for your Loss. What a Long, wonderful, life she had!
Michael Ward
July 26, 2014
Words can not express to you how sorry we are to hear of the loss of Bel. Such a gifted and lovely woman. May the love of family and friends be there to comfort you during this difficult time.(Romans 15:4)
Walker
July 26, 2014
Celebrating a life well lived, you will cherish the memories forever. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Psalms 62:8 mentions, "God is a refuge for us, pour out your hearts at all times". I hope you are able to find some comfort now and in the days to come.
Melissa Flores
July 26, 2014
An amazingly brilliant woman. Who of the Baby Boomer generation has not heard of Up The Down Staircase. What an imprint she left on this world.
She is on to her next chapter.
M. S.
July 26, 2014
My condolences to the Kaufman-Goldstine Familiy and know that you are so blessed for having your mother/grandmother so long. May the peace and comfort of God and friends be with you ~ Lwd
July 26, 2014
I would like to give my condolences to the family. Im sorry for your loss. -Ecclesiastes 5:8, 8
July 26, 2014
To the entire family. Please accept my sympathy. What a wonderful, talented, graceful woman!!!!! May the peace of God be with you all in this time of sorrow. Rom 15:33.
G J.
July 26, 2014
I read "Up the Down Staircase" five or six years after it was first published (and two years before I entered High School). Even though the inner city school of Ms Kaufman's book would seem, on the surface, polar opposite to my affluent suburban high school, the people were much the same, thankfully without some of the tragic endings (unexpected death of a student who felt she had no one to turn to).
Thank you, Bel Kaufman. And...
So Long, Teach! We will miss you.
Muffy
July 26, 2014
Always keep the fond memories and good times fresh in your hearts. This will help family and friends cope with this most difficult time of sorrow. God love you.
July 26, 2014
My sympathies to the Kaufman family. We're so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Ms. Kaufman's writing talent and gift. May our loving heavenly Father heal your broken hearts and may the memories of your loved one be a source of comfort. (Psalm 147:3)
Marahs
July 26, 2014
My condolences to the family
July 25, 2014
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
DS
July 25, 2014
Shalom we will miss you!
Mara Alexander
July 25, 2014
(Genesis 15:15) . . .:" you will be buried at a good old age."
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. -
ff
July 25, 2014
To the family of Bel Kaufman may God strengthen you during this difficult time.
Marie
July 25, 2014
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