Rabbi Judith Bluestein, age 66, passed away May 29. She was the beloved daughter of the late Paul and Joan Bluestein, sister of Alice (Larry) Greenbaum, dear aunt of Amy (Jason) Shaiman and Emily Greenbaum, great-aunt of Theodore Shaiman. Rabbi Bluestein attended the University of Pennsylvania receiving a degree in classics. She continued her education with graduate work at Case Western where she was awarded an M.A. in religion (New Testament and Christian Origins) and an M.A. in Latin. She also received an M. Ed. from Xavier University. Rabbi Bluestein received her rabbinic ordination at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where she also received a master’s of Hebrew literature and an M.Phil. in Hebraic and cognate studies. She served as a rabbi to Jewish communities throughout the South and Midwest, including: Marion, Ohio; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Ames, Iowa; and this past year, Joplin, Mo.; as well as teaching Judaic studies and Holocaust studies at Northern Kentucky University and the University of Dayton. The family requests that contributions in her memory be made to Plum Street Temple Preservation Fund and/or Isaac M. Wise Temple.

Phyllis Ross, 86, passed away Sept. 20. Mrs. Ross was a member of Beth Abraham Synagogue and lived in Dayton for 62 years. She was the beloved wife of the late Jack Ross; loving mother of Michele (Tom) Sudow, Helaine Razovsky, Jay (Susan Warshay), and Ronald Razovsky (deceased); proud grandmother of Erin (Ben) Willcher, Noah (Avery) Sudow, Nate Sudow, Ari, Elana, and Jonah Ross; adoring great-grandmother of Emma Jordy Willcher. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Friendship Village of Dayton, Stone Gardens Assisted Living Facility, and Menorah Park for their wonderful care. Donations can be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or to the charity of your choice.

Dorothy (Cherny) Shane, age 88, of Dayton, passed away Oct. 8. Mrs. Shane was a member of Beth Abraham Synagogue and Temple Beth Or; a member of Sisterhood and Hadassah; and for many years served on the board of the JCC. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Morris Cherny in 1969 and Harold Shane in 2003; and brothers Arthur Cohen and Simon Cohen. Mrs. Shane is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Helene and Jose Perez of Georgia; sons and daughters-in-law William and Pat Cherny of Illinois, Stanley and Dahlia Cherny of Connecticut; 10 beloved grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Dayton Jewish Observer, Chabad of Greater Dayton or The Hospice of Dayton in her memory.

Gilbert S. Unger passed away peacefully at home, short of his 90th birthday, on Sept. 19. He was surrounded by his wife and children. Mr. Unger was born in Dayton to Abraham and Gussie Unger. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Monroe, Leon (Iris), his brother-in-law, Dr. Joseph Klausner, his beloved daughter, Dr. Rachelle Sherman, and his infant great-grandsons, Shiloh and Eli Jacobson. Mr. Unger attended the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and Hebrew Union College, receiving both his M.Ed. and M.M. Mr. Unger taught in the Dayton Public School system for 35 years as an instrumental music teacher and band leader and inspired many devoted and accomplished students over the years. He was also the leader of the Gilbert Unger Orchestra and played clarinet in many other professional bands and orchestras in the Dayton area. Mr. Unger served as a gunner on a halftrack in the 537th Antiaircraft Artillery of the 90th Division during World War II under Gen. Patton. He landed on Normandy Beach and campaigned through Europe into Czechoslovakia. He stayed after the war in Weiden, Germany to help settle displaced persons and Holocaust survivors. He played in the military band during that time. For his military service, among many commendations, he received both the Purple Heart and the French Legion of Honor. In later life he became president of the 90th Division and traveled with them to Europe many times for the anniversary celebrations of the Moselle River Crossing. He was married to the love of his life, Lois Brook Unger, for 65 years. Together they raised four devoted children. Mr. Unger was adored by his children’s spouses, his six wonderful grandchildren and their spouses, and eight cherished great-grandchildren as well as his many nieces and nephews. Mr. and Mrs. Unger enjoyed many years of domestic and international travel. Together they pursued a shared interest in lifelong learning. Mr. Unger saw himself as a simple man but, in fact, he had a profound and extraordinary impact on everyone he touched. He truly accomplished the Jewish goal of tikun olam: he left the world a better place than he found it. Contributions in Mr. Unger’s memory may be made to Beth Abraham Synagogue or the charity of your choice.

To read the complete November 2014 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.