Former funeral home CEO, past president of Beth Shalom Joel Weinstein dies at 88
Joel Weinstein, 88, of Northbrook, and Boca Raton, Florida, died Aug. 27.
Well-known in the Jewish community in the North Shore, Chicago, and in Florida, he had been the CEO and past president of Weinstein Brothers Funeral Homes in Illinois and Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapels in Florida.
He also was the past president of Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook, active in the congregation for more than 50 years.
"He was a special individual, and certainly helped lead our congregation in the early stages," said Congregation Beth Shalom Head Rabbi Aaron Melman, who with Senior Cantor Steven Stoehr officiated the Weinstein family's private services on Aug. 30.
"He was president from 1971 to 1973. I think those early days were very important in our foundation, and really laid a wonderful foundation for what we have today," Melman said.
Weinstein also was involved in Magen David Adom, which provides emergency medical response and ambulances to Israel, manages its national blood bank and provides international disaster relief.
Through Magen David Adom, Weinstein donated several ambulances to Israel, according to his obituary notice on the website of the Goldman Funeral Group, Buffalo Grove.
An Army veteran born Feb. 23, 1934, Weinstein also was active in City of Hope, B'nai B'rith, Bickur Cholim, Israel Bonds, and the Jewish United Fund.
His obituary said his hobbies included collecting stamps and coins - and collecting lucky elephant figures that adorned his shelves.
He enjoyed taking his nine grandchildren on trips to Alaska, the Bahamas, and the Disney theme parks.
Married 67 years to Suzanne "Sue" (Levine) Weinstein, the couple also has eight great-grandchildren.
Joel Weinstein is survived by children Ronald (Linda), Mark (Marcie) and Diane (Scott); and brother-in-law Ron Grabois.
Preceding him in death were his brother, Harvey; sister-in-law Sherry Grabois; and parents Eva and Myron Weinstein, from whom Joel continued the well-known funeral home business.
A livestream of the Aug. 30 services for Joel Weinstein is available at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com, where under "Recent Services" the service may be accessed by clicking on his photo.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Congregation Beth Shalom (www.bethshalomnb.org) or American Friends of Magen David Adom (www.afmda.org). For information, reach the Goldman Funeral Group, (847) 478-1600.
"He was always a very friendly, kind individual," Rabbi Melman said, "someone who was very generous."