Sylvia Firschein

FIRSCHEIN Sylvia Fay Haft, 78, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Wayne, NJ, died suddenly on May 16, 2011. Funeral services were held May 19 at Jewish Memorial Chapel in Clifton. A memorial service was held May 22 at Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota. Sylvia was a prominent member of the Jewish communities in North Jersey and Sarasota, both as a librarian and storyteller. Sylvia, who lived in Wayne from 1972-1999, was a founding member of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Wayne, formerly known as the Wayne Conservative Congregation. When the YM-YWHA of North Jersey was built in Wayne in 1976, she became the first Director of its Charles Goldman Judaica Library. She created the library's oral-history committee and a Yiddish-speakers' group, and administered the media collection of the Bureau of Jewish Education of North Jersey. She was the founder of the Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey and the Jewish Genealogical Society of North Jersey. Sylvia was a longtime member of the Association of Jewish Libraries. She founded its New Jersey chapter in 1980 and served as its first president. She also was president for several years of the AJL's School Synagogue and Center Division, and chairperson of its Manuscript Contest Committee. She was a research consultant for the 1983 documentary film, "West of Hester Street," which depicted the story of Jewish immigration through Galveston, Texas during the early part of the 20th century. She also worked in the Wayne school system, as a supplementary teacher in the district's learning disabilities program from 1972-1978, and as the media specialist at Packanack Elementary School from 1986 to 1996, when she retired. She was active in the Sarasota Jewish community as volunteer director of Temple Beth Sholom's Idelson Library. She built it into a vibrant institution and created many cultural programs, including a series of lectures given by local residents entitled "Interesting Lives." She is a 1955 graduate of Brandeis University and participated in many alumni activities and outreach efforts. She also received N.J. certification as an educational media specialist from William Paterson College. She was a kind, loving woman who treasured the relationships she forged and cultivated with family and friends. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. Survivors include a daughter, Merry Firschein and husband David Swirnoff of Jersey City; a son, Warren and wife Dawn Goldsmith of Safety Harbor, FL; a brother, Jacob Haft of Tenafly; and grandchildren Sophie, 8 and Elena, 5. Her husband of 46 years, Hilliard Firschein, died in December 2010. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Temple Beth Sholom Library Fund, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237.