Goldie R. Goldstein's Obituary
Goldie Goldstein - Miami charity activist and leader for over 50 years
Goldie Goldstein passed away quietly in her sleep on July 22nd at her home in Boca Raton, Florida. Born Goldie Rabinowitz in Odessa, Russia, June 10, 1920, Goldie immigrated to Philadelphia with her family where she married Sol Goldstein and soon moved to Miami Beach, in 1946 with her parents and brothers. Soon after arriving in Miami, her husband, Sol, Goldie’s father Jacob Rabinowitz and brothers, Morris and David Rabinowitz founded the Miami Diamond Center in downtown Miami which quickly became a major jewelry store fixture in the community lasting for over 40 years. But Goldie’s passion was charity and working in or founding charitable organizations. A trait both she and her beloved sister Tanya Zallea, received from their father, Jacob. Goldie was a volunteer charity activist in Miami all of her adult life dating back to 1951 having forged the foundation of many local women’s organizations and chaired or served on the boards of many others on both the local and national scene. Her vast organizational work began by serving on the Board of Directors of the South Florida Girl Scout Council which led her to co-chairman of the United Way Budget committee with Chairman, Judge Irving Cypen. From there she continued to grow into one of the most prolific charitable organizational leaders of the South Florida community, serving on local and national boards including: Greater Miami Jewish Federation (President Women’s Division), Council of United Way Women of Dade County, National Council of Christians and Jews, National Council of Jewish Federations, Miami Jewish Home and Hospital For The Aged; Jewish Family and Children’s Services; Sisterhood President, Temple Emanu-El (Rabbi Irving Lehrman); and state liason to the United States Council on the Holocaust (appointed by Gov. Bob Graham) to name but a few. In addition, Goldie received many awards for her tireless efforts in the community: including the Golda Meir 80th Birthday Award, the David-Ben Gurion Award, the Harold Bosworth Award (Greater Miami Jewish Federation for total community effort) and the Silver Medallion from the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1989). However, aside from her grandchildren, Danny, Jennifer and Kimberly and great grandchildren, Brody and Jolie, Goldie was most proud of her Barry College Bachelor’s degree in 1979 (at the age of 59) as it led to her participation in the founding of the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center in 1980 with the assistance of Sister Trinita Flood, former President of Barry College. She considered this her crowning achievement. She served as its first volunteer Director and Executive Vice President from its inception until her retirement 8 ½ years later shepherding the Center through its growth from infancy to national prominence. Even well into her 80’s and 90’s, Goldie continued her charitable traditions at her residence community, at Edgewater Pointe Estates, in Boca Raton where she moved after the death of her husband Sol. There she instituted many charitable programs benefitting the less fortunate in the Boca community. She continued her passion of giving to others right up until her death. Goldie is survived by her two children, Stephen (Honi) Goldstein and Francine (the late Elliott) Denner, grand-children Jennifer Goodman and Kimberly Multack, the late Daniel Denner, great grand-children Brody Goodman and Jolie Multack and nieces and nephew, Richard (Carole) Masington, Sharon Masington, Janet Rabinowitz Beck (Jeff), Roberta Rabinowitz Toback (Steve), Linda Rabinowitz Faber (Shep), Norma Rabinowitz Greenstein (Howard), Barbara Zallea Berger (Danny), Marilyn Zallea Wilde (Jay), Alice Rabinowitz Jackson (Dennis), Sandra (Tom) Schwirtz & Marilyn (Bennett) Zelinsky, beloved sister-in-law Jean Eisen and many great nieces and great nephews. A wonderful and caring person all of her life who positively affected and made a real difference in the lives of so many. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. WELL DONE GOLDIE. The family suggests donations in memory of Goldie Goldstein to The Holocaust Documentation & Education Center, 303 North Federal Highway, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 or www.hdec.org/hdec/donate
Chapel Service 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 26th at Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, 18840 W. Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, Florida 33180. Arrangements by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert (305) 538-6371
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