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BORN
1923
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Baruch Goldstein Obituary
WORCESTER - Rabbi Baruch G. Goldstein, age 94, died on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 in JFK Hospital in Delray Beach, FL.
His wife of 63 years, Rebbitzen Riva (Golinkin) Goldstein, died in 2001. He leaves a son, Meyer Goldstein and his wife, Sue-Rita of Pawtucket, RI; four grandchildren, Jonah, Liza, Sarah and Daniel Goldstein; and two great-grandchildren, Ronan and Asher Goldstein.
He was born in Mlawa, Poland on April 23, 1923 and was a son of Israel Meyer and Tirtza (Kleinbard) Goldstein.
In 1939, after Germany invaded Poland until his Liberation in May of 1945, he lived in ghettoes, labor camps, Auschwitz Concentration Camp and survived forced death marches.
In 1948, after three years in a refugee camp in Italy, he immigrated to the United States and moved to Worcester to marry Rebecca (Riva) Golinkin. He then began a career as a Hebrew teacher, educator and Rabbi. He worked at Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester as a teacher and youth group leader until 1964 when he moved to Wakefield, MA to assume the pulpit of Temple Emanuel. In 1971, he returned to Worcester to become, first, the Assistant Rabbi and then the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel, where he served until his retirement in 1986.
In the 1980's, for the first time, he began speaking publicly about his experiences during the Holocaust. He spoke in hundreds of middle schools, high schools, colleges and adult organizations emphasizing the destructiveness of hatred and the importance of love and family. His speaking motivated him to write his memoirs, published in 2008, "For Decades I Was Silent, A Holocaust Survivor's Journey Back to Faith".
He was beloved by his students, his congregants and all who met him for his warmth, kindness and openness to people. A former student and now an adult friend of the family wrote: "You have always been my hero, and the best example of what a true mensch, a full human being, can be. To survive what you have and to be able to emerge to lead such a positive, optimistic and future-oriented life, teaching and leading others with your wisdom, your words and your example, is beyond my comprehension. Knowing you has always been my privilege and my inspiration. Thank you for surviving despite everything, to bring enlightenment and hope and your love to all of us. The world desperately needs your message of tolerance and your testimony to the dangers of hate."
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 1:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY, JUNE 4, AT CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL, 15 JAMESBURY DRIVE, WORCESTER, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in Holy Society Cemetery in Leicester.
Memorial contributions may be made the Congregation Beth Israel, Bornstein Holocaust Education Center of Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906 or a charity of the donor's choice.
Immediately following the interment service, Memorial Observance will begin at the residence of Meyer and Sue-Rita Goldstein, 190 Toledo Avenue, Pawtucket, RI until Noon on Friday, June 9th. Visitation at the residence will be held from 2PM to 4PM and 7PM to 9PM Monday, June 5th through Thursday, June 8th. Minyan services will be held each morning through Friday, June 9th at 7 AM and 7 PM each day through Thursday, June 8th.
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Memories and Condolences
for Baruch Goldstein
Sponsored by Miles Funeral Home - Holden.
Martin J Snider
May 27, 2025
Reading Rabbi Goldstein's obituary and the following comment from one of his students there is not much more to say about this unique, gifted, joyful human being?
"You have always been my hero, and the best example of what a true mensch, a full human being, can be. To survive what you have and to be able to emerge to lead such a positive, optimistic and future-oriented life, teaching and leading others with your wisdom, your words and your example, is beyond my comprehension. Knowing you has always been my privilege and my inspiration. Thank you for surviving despite everything, to bring enlightenment and hope and your love to all of us. The world desperately needs your message of tolerance and your testimony to the dangers of hate."
I too, "Mendel," was his student. He changed my life and it's projectory by planting the seeds of love, joy, caring for others and the importance of doing good. He was/is to me a gentle giant wrapped in a tiny package. He has been with me my whole life. I feel him all the time and think of him often. And, I know, he is still here.
Love Mendel (Marty Snider)
Phil Raimi
April 12, 2018
Today is Yom HaShoah 2018 and I have been paying my respects to the Six Million and to my father's family, who perished in the camps. By chance, I googled Rabbi Goldstein's name and I am SO saddened to learn of his passing last year. You see, I have a relationship to Rabbi Goldstein that started thousands of miles away from the US, and precedes my birth by decades. How can that be?
My late father Saul Raimi (Bezalel Reingewirtz at birth) grew up as a friend of Rabbi Goldstein in Mlawa Poland, and they both survived Auschwitz together as "classmates" (so-to-speak) with other young Jewish Mlawa teenage boys in the Mauerschule (Bricklayer's school). After my parents married in Detroit in 1956, they went motoring through New England and settled briefly in Boston, where I was born. While living there, my father and Rabbi Goldstein resumed their friendship, and he visited the family often when I was very young (less than a year old). As a young man in the mid-80s, a business trip brought me to Worchester MA. I decided to call Rabbi Goldstein, out-of-the-blue, and we met for a wonderful evening of companionship on a Shabbat evening. I just loved the man when I met him - he was a beautiful gentle soul, and he was so happy to see me for the first time since I was a little boy.
About five years ago, I was contacted by Ken Waltzer, the head of Jewish studies at my alma mater, Michigan State. He was doing a research study on the Mauerschule, and in the course of discussing it, he mentioned Rabbi Goldstein's name. I told Professor Waltzer my story about how I knew Rabbi Goldstein. Waltzer had his contact info, so I called Rabbi Goldstein and we had several wonderful telephone chats when he lived in Portland and in Del Ray Beach FL. I hadn't realized it had been so long since we last talked until I stumbled on to his obituary today. I am SO saddened by his passing and wished I had called him more. However, with his kinship to my father, and their history together, I feel BLESSED to have spoken to him the times I did. When we resumed our friendship in the last few years, he sent me a copy of his book. I am going to re-read it, knowing that one of most wonderful mensches I ever met in my life wrote it.
Baruch HaShem, and Baruch Dayan HaEmet Rabbi Baruch Goldstein. As your first name implies, you are a blessed soul and we were all blessed to have known you and your wonderful light.
One day with a great man!
Karen Wilkinson
June 22, 2017
Karen Wilkinson
June 21, 2017
I only met Baruch once in my life and it changed me. Just being in his presence gave me joy. I don't know how to explain it but I'm sure that those of you who knew him longer understand. I have never met someone so pure in heart. When I saw the numbers on his arm it took my breath away and I felt as if I were speaking to a man that God loved dearly. We spent the entire day together doing his genealogy. The more I learned about him the more I began to honor this man. He and I shared our religious beliefs with each other and noted how similar some of them were. I am a Christian and he taught me something so powerful that I will never forget. He said, "When Jehovah comes to the earth (and we both agree that He will come) we will ask him if He was here before? If he was not, then my Savior can be your Savior. If He was then your Savior can be mine. In the meantime Lets just all get along!" A simple yet profound statement. And the key to peace on this earth. I had the privilege of working on his family history for many months and just before I was going to send him everything I found on his family I learned he had passed away. My heart is sad tonight. How lucky I was to have spent one day with a man I believe was more God-like than most men on this earth. I am not of his religion but believe that he, his wife and all the ancestors I have been finding this past year are together again and very joyful! Thank you Dear Baruch for allowing me to know you for one precious day. My condolences to Meyer and Suerita and family. I was privileged to spend an evening with them also. An amazing family. with Love Karen Wilkinson
Rabbi and me in Portland, 2010
Peggy Alter
June 9, 2017
Walking to Temple he saw my hands were cold and took them in his and warmed them up. A simple act that sums it up for me. Love forever!
Menahem (Mendel) Rosen
June 8, 2017
Although I have not been in contact with Rabbi Goldstein and Meyer (a childhood friend) for many, many years, I will always remember him as a most warm and sincere person. On a chance meeting when I last saw him, he expressed true excitement and interest at seeing me, as if I were an important person. He was a "mensch" model.
My sincere condolences to Mayer and his family.
Laura Kleinrock-Sand
June 6, 2017
I am truly honored to have known him. Also, He was there for me and my brother In the passing of my Dad. I'll always remember his positive ways and warm-heartedness that always shined through when talking to him. I love you and will miss you...
Philip Rosen
June 6, 2017
All who knew him grieve with the Goldstein Family. He was an amazing, inspirational man. I've known him my whole life, and he was our family friend going back generations. he will be missed.
Early 2017 Baruch & Adam at Deck 84 Delray Beach
June 6, 2017
Early 2017 Baruch at Deck 84 Delray Beach
June 6, 2017
Adam Kleinrock
June 6, 2017
He was the best friend a man could ever have. His generosity of spirit, compassion, zest for life, sense of humor, sense of self, love for all people, and his incredible tolerance for his many physical struggles was inspirational. He taught me that anyone can do much, much more than they ever realize, to always face your problems with dignity and never be ashamed of who you are. He told people that we were twins, and we were in spirit. We watched movies and he loved history, he never, never, never let me pay for a meal. He insisted I eat before I visited him, always knowing my bad habit of skipping meals. He touched my soul and inspired me to rise above my struggles and was never too busy for anyone in need. He read books, newspapers, magazines, internet and was addicted to FOX news and CNN which frustrated his Son and Daughter-in-law to no end. His trademark of knocking over his drink at the table and wearing his meals on his clothes was endearing. He would say, "is there a menu on my shirt?" I felt as though I was talking to someone in their 30's. He never complained about his age, always saying that he didn't like the alternative. I will miss my dear friend and twin for the rest of my life. I love you BGG.
June 4, 2017
Dear Meyer and Family,
A great tzaddik is no longer with us! We grieve deeply with you and with the hundreds of people in so many communities who have lost such a beloved man. We last saw Rabbi Goldstein in 2008 in Jerusalem. He came over for dinner and told us with great excitement about his book, which was about to be published. Already in his mid-eighties, he was still full of energy, laughter, and optimism. Rabbi Goldstein was a central figure in my growing up years in Worcester, at Beth Israel Synagogue. I still have clear memories of many of his teachings and treasure them all. Our hearts go out to your whole family.
Ruth Mencow and Gershon Hundert
Montreal, Canada
Barbara Palley Miller
June 3, 2017
Since I heard of Rabbi Goldstein's passing just a few days ago, I have been reflecting when I first met him as a very young student at the old BI Hebrew School (about 65 years ago), when Mr and Mrs Plitch were teaching there, and then as a young adolescent when he was the Advisor to USY. He was so sweet, kind and caring, and always made you feel very special. Not that long ago, we had a conversation at an event in Worcester, and he was telling us about his book. He asked for our mailing address, and sure enough, a few days later we received his book with a beautiful personal message to my husband and I. I will always cherish those special words, And whenever our paths crossed, and unfortunately it was never often enough, he clearly knew who I was. He would say "Barbara Palley, it Is so wonderful to see you", and you know he sincerely meant it . The last time I saw hm was at his Ninetieth Birthday Party. And I am so glad I was there along with so many other people who were so lucky to have known and loved Rabbi Goldstein as well. Rabbi Goldstein, you will always be missed but never forgotten. Thank you for all the happy memories.
Jonathan Sher
June 2, 2017
My mom was his secretary and she got to see how he to9k care of the community. He did so many kind and charitable things that nobody 3ver saw. He gave my dads eulogy and it was a beautiful speech. I truely loved and respected this gentle 7ber mensche.t
Stephen Grace
June 2, 2017
I reconnected with my beloved teacher at the Worcester reunion in Boca after not seeing him for many years. I had the pleasure of introducing him to my wife, Bobbi and watching that marvelous grin spread across his face as he said "I love the way you keep each other shiny!" I was thrilled when he told Bobbi that I was"one of his kinder". After all the unspeakable hardships that he endured he told me that the big regret of his life was that man had not learned anything and was still making the same mistakes! He signed a copy of his book to me and told me that we would discuss it after I finished it. This book should be on everyone's reading list. Written by this most humble man who told me "All I wanted to do was keep on living", it documents everything that remained unspoken when we were kids! You did keep on living long enough to touch hundred of lives and your memory and wisdom will stay with us forever.
Paul Goldstein
June 2, 2017
Rabbi Goldstein was a darling; he knew me and my whole family so very well. He was so loving, so full of kindness, caring, and compassion. His beautiful heart exemplified the human spirit at its finest. It is amazing that he came out of intense suffering to be so inspiring and uplifting, so warmly glowing, so empathetic and embracing to all.
I first met him in 1971, when I was in high school, and he had just returned to Beth Israel after a period as a rabbi in Wakefield. But members of my family had known him since around 1950, shortly after his initial arrival in Worcester.
He was very close to our family (we have the same last name, but weren't related), and loved us all.
In 1977 he did so much to help shepherd our family through the devastating loss of my uncle Alan, who died at age 39 of a melanoma. Rabbi Goldstein had known Alan since his earliest years at Beth Israel.
Nearly 20 years later, he presided over the funeral of my maternal grandmother Mollie.
He also co-officiated at the weddings of both of my siblings.
Rabbi Goldstein provided help to a number of my relatives when they were going through hard times. He cared so much for people - their problems were his problems, and he succeeded on so many levels in being a first-class mensch.
Rabbi Goldstein and I kept in occasional touch online during his retirement years. In his last notes to me, he ended with the phrase "Love, Baruch".
The eradication of all prejudice was a goal near and dear to his heart and soul. I loved this quote, which he often used in speeches and writings: "There is only one race that truly matters, and that is the human race. If there is any racism inside you, you must expunge it from your heart."
It's so appropriate that his name was Baruch. His life was indeed a blessing, and all those who had the good fortune to know him shared in the beautiful light of the blessing that radiated from his soul.
May this angel in life rest in peace among the angels in his heavenly abode.
Dave Shulman
June 2, 2017
I will never forget my beloved Hebrew School teacher.
Anne Berkowitz
June 1, 2017
The Rabbi was always a kind man and a beautiful soul. Rest in Peace.
Bobbie (and Nick) Chase
June 1, 2017
Nick and I are heartbroken about Rabbi Goldstein's death. He was an example of all that is good in the world and we will miss him very much.
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