Rhoda G. Lewin Obituary (1929 - 2012) - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Rhoda G. Lewin, age 83, of Minneapolis, MN and Tucson, AZ. Rhoda was an independent scholar, oral historian, writer and editor. Preceded in death by parents, Louis & Florence Greene. She is survived by her beloved husband Thomas M.; children, Ellen Lewin, Susan (James) Roth, Kate (Scott) Shamblott, and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Lewin. She was a very proud grandmother of Salomé, Amalya, Rachel, Max, Simon, and Devra, great-grandmother of Iris, and Ima to her “extra” daughter Jayne White. She is also survived by her sister Myrna (Kurt) Pfundner of Vienna, Austria; niece and nephew, Linda and Michael; and many cousins, extended family, and friends. Rhoda grew up in Minneapolis, was a graduate of Minneapolis North High School, and earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees in journalism and mass communication and her Ph.D. in American studies at the University of Minnesota. After a career in newspaper reporting, publication editing and public relations, she taught journalism, wrote a column for the American Jewish World, edited Identity, a local literary magazine, and wrote for and edited the Kenwood neighborhood’s Hill and Lake Press. She was a founding member of the Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum and the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest. Rhoda loved oral history – “history as if people mattered” – and is the author of several articles and books on immigrant history and the Holocaust, including, Witnesses to the Holocaust: An Oral History (widely used in high schools and colleges); Images of America: Jewish Community of North Minneapolis; and The Reform Jews of Minneapolis. She was a strong supporter of local arts organizations, involved in politics, and volunteered her time to many organizations, including Theatre in the Round Players, where her involvement began during its early days on Stevens Avenue. She was a reader at Temple Israel’s daily worship services, and co-chaired a project to create a permanent archive for Temple Israel. Rhoda loved books, music, Sudoku, cryptoquips and time spent with family and friends. She made the best pies, was a fabulous cook, created extraordinary needlepoint pillows, and always made each birthday and holiday a special family event. She taught us that each of us sees history through our own eyes, and that witnessing and speaking out are important for everyone. She will be deeply missed. Funeral service 11 AM THURSDAY, January 3rd, at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2324 Emerson Ave. So., Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave. So., Mpls, the Minnesota Historical Society or Temple Israel. SHIVA, 7 PM Thurs. January 3rd and Sat. January 5th at Temple Israel.