OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY
E
A Living Symbol of Hope
tka Goldenberg was born in Sadki, Poland, on July 26, 1926. She passed away at her home in West Bloomfield on Aug. 28, 2021, at age 95. Etka touched the lives of so many people across the continents with her story of survival. When she was 13, Hitler Etka Goldenberg invaded Poland, and her fight to survive began. She recalled her father crying out to her in the fields “Etka, when you live you must tell our story so that we did not die in vain.” That became Etka’s mission. As the first docent at the Holocaust Memorial Center to share her story and speak as both a docent and survivor, she brought her story down to the level of eighth-graders when she looked at them and said, “I was your age when I started to run for my life, so don’t look at me now as the older woman talking to you about historical events. This was my life at the age of 13.” She shared her story at the middle schools, high schools and three times as a survivor on the March of the Living. Etka had the uncanny ability to describe to the youngsters so vividly the horrors of the Nazi inhumanity and despicable deeds. But her stories were replete with hope and a belligerent chutzpah with emphasis on the need to keep the Jewish hope and
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future alive. Hundreds of Hillel Day School students interviewed Gammy (as she was known to most), for their eighth-grade project. Etka married Herman Goldenberg on Oct. 14, 1945. They had an amazing love affair until he died suddenly on Dec. 29, 1986. They arrived in this country by boat from Hamburg in December 1952 with their son Zygi. They made Detroit their home. Etka quickly immersed herself in life in Detroit. She graduated from Central High night school as valedictorian of her class. She became involved with B’nai B’rith Women, quickly moving herself up to president of the Louis Stone Chapter. She was Adat Shalom Sisterhood vice president for years as well as a supporter of Hadassah and other Jewish organizations. She was very proud of the fact that she volunteered for the Jewish Federation Super Sunday phone-a-thons as well as participated in the Women’s Philanthropy leadership programs. At age 88, she was the oldest graduate of the Melton Judaic Studies Program. Her kugel making was historical. She taught young and old alike the secret to making her famous kugels that graced the Adat Shalom kiddush lunches. She attended services on a weekly basis, and when leaving synagogue she would say that “everyone kissed me like she was a mezuzah.” Etka had the gift of laughter in spite of the tragedies she endured. In her later
years, she could be found holding court on the balcony at Meer senior apartments surrounded by everyone and anyone who wanted to engage with her. An avid mah jong player, she played weekly with the same group for 50-plus years. She was a force. Etka is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Zygi Goldenberg and Sally Olen of Seattle; daughter and son-in-law, Susie and Steve Feldman of West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Hannah and Gilad Biran of West Bloomfield, Max and Ally Farkas of Atlanta, and Vanessa Farkas of New York City; great-grandchildren, Eitan Biran and Benjamin Farkas; step-grandchildren, Stephanie and Michael Feldman. She is also survived by her loving caregivers, Irina, Oksana and Lyuobov. Mrs. Goldenberg was the beloved wife of the late Herman Goldenberg; dear sister of the late Herman Roth, the late Joseph Roth, the late Julius Roth; loving daughter of the late Selig and the late Bertha Roth. Contributions may be made to Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303; Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; or Holocaust Memorial Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. A graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
GLORIA COHEN, 100, of West Bloomfield, died Sept. 5, 2021. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Sherry Cohen, Gary and Marcia Cohen, Steven Cohen (girlfriend, Suzanne Gross), Ronald and Jackie Cohen; grandchildren, Eden (Andrew) Floyd, Shauna (Mark) Kocsis, Robyn (Kirk) Gold and Brett (Michele) Cohen; great-grandchildren, Austin, Savanna, Blake, Lexy, Alexander, Bradley and Caia; great-great-grandchild, Yvie; sister, Bessie Ruskin; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Mrs. Cohen was the beloved wife of the late Hyman “Hy” Cohen; sister of the late Sadie Aaron, the late Sam Simon, the late Hyman Simon and the late Martin Simon. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. BARRY EISENBERG, 77, of Southfield, died Aug. 27, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Andrea Eisenberg; daughters and son-in-law, Abby Eisenberg of Riverdale, N.Y., Marcy and Yehudah Tatelbaum of Israel; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sanford and Lori Eisenberg of Southfield, Dennis and Terry Eisenberg of Bergenfield, N.J.; grandchildren, Meir Tatelbaum, Yakir Tatelbaum, Techelet Tatelbaum. Contributions may be made to Farber Hebrew Day School, 21100 W. 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48076; Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, P.O. Box 2044, Southfield, MI 48037; Young Israel of Southfield, 27705 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI
