Obituaries

Jacob Maron, Member of the Polish Resistance, Dies at 96

In January, we lost an unsung hero of World War II: Jacob Maron, philanthropist, father of four, grandfather of 12, great-grandfather of four. He had served heroically in the Polish resistance during the war as an artillery officer and participated in the allied capture of Berlin. He fought bravely in spite of his gaping wounds and trained other survivors of the Holocaust to fight against the Nazis.

Tragically, his wife, children and parents were massacred, but Jacob remarried after the war and created a new family in post-war Germany and eventually in the United States. There, he started from scratch as a poultry farmer, working several jobs to support his growing family and to support disadvantaged relatives in the then-Soviet Union.

During his final days, his daughter, Ravi Miriam Maron, a spiritual healer and teacher in Los Angeles, comforted him with loving touch and soothing song, accompanied by special rituals and prayers prescribed by Jewish tradition for those in transition.

He remains a hero not only to those who fought alongside him, but also to those who benefited from his generosity and moral strength. He was a model of fortitude and hope. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Sonia; children, Trudy, Myron, Ed and Miriam (Gershon Winkler); nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Michael Spielberg, Former Vice President of Miramax, Dies at 49

Michael Spielberg began his career at the Creative Artists Agency and the William Morris Agency before working at Prism and later Miramax, in its early years. There he discovered(at the Cannes Film Festival) and acquired the film, “sex, lies & videotapes.”

He established its West Coast office and was vice president of acquisitions. He went on to run Monument Pictures, which included co-producing “South Central” with Oliver Stone.

In addition, he was a production/acquisitions executive for numerous companies over the years, including Fox/Lorber Home Video, Alpine Pictures and The Matthau Co. Recently, Michael earned a master’s degree in spiritual psychology from Santa Monica University and became a certified Kundalini yoga teacher. He also was a successful corporate sales trainer in real estate.

During this time, Michael developed his writing and directing skills. His short film, “Election Day,” premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in 1997 and also played the Wine Country Film Festival, Athens Film Festival and was a finalist for Cannes 1997 International Critics Week.

Michael, who is not related to director Steven Spielberg, moved to California from New Jersey in 1980. He was a member of the Creative Arts Synagogue in Beverly Hills and a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

He is survived by his mother, Iris (Charles) Lord Patty; father, Morris (Shelley) Spielberg; stepsisters, Stacey Hunter and Kim Pottichin; and stepbrother, Rhett Hunter.

Dorothy Barasch died Jan. 23 at 80. She is survived by her son, Sheldon; daughters, Marsha Evans and Cindy (Larry) Shickoff; stepdaughter, Phyllis (Richard) Escalante; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sister, Edith (Arnie) Gillis. Mount Sinai

Yevgeniya Basina died Jan. 22 at 77. She is survived by her husband, Khaim Basin; son, Boris (Irina); and grandson Leon. Mount Sinai

Russell Chase died Jan. 22 at 83. He is survived by his sons, Philip and Douglas; daughters, Susan Levine and Marjorie; and eight grandchildren. Pierce Brothers

Marion Cooper died Jan. 21 at 93. She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie Tucker and Gail Niles; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman

Jack Dwoskin died Jan. 23 at 93. He is survived by his daughter, Roberta (Les Langar). Mount Sinai

Raphael Finkelstein died Jan. 23 at 89. He is survived by his sons, Jerald (Faye) and Julian. Mount Sinai

Margit Fonda died Nov. 28 at 93. She is survived by her son, Peter (Judy); and two grandsons. Malinow and Silverman.

Joan Galanty died Jan. 13 at 73. She is survived by her husband, Sid; son, Mark (Carolyn); daughter, Beth (Mike) Blaney; six grandchildren; and brother Herbie (Marcie) Goldstein. Hillside

Beatrice Goldstein died Jan. 24 at 88. She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Fort. Malinow and Silverman

Melvin Kaner died Jan. 22 at 81. He is survived by his son, Craig (Judy); daughter, Karen (Leonard Schneeman) Nissim; and three grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Melba Katzman died Jan. 24 at 87. She is survived by her sons, Gordon and Richard; and daughter, Madelyn. Hillside

Sam Miller died Jan. 23 at 95. He is survived by his wife, Martha; sons, Steven (Antoinette) and Stuart (Frances); stepsons, Mike (JoAnn) and George (Pamela Griner) Bours; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai

William Orenstein died Jan. 22 at 90. He is survived by his sons, Steven (Rita) and Paul; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Jerrold. Hillside

Arthur Owider died Jan. 23 at 87. He is survived by his son, Jeff (Lisa); daughters, Elizabeth Dodson and Nanette (Jeff) Tucker; grandchildren, Nicolas and Sarah Dodson. Mount Sinai

Samuel Joseph Paperny died Jan. 24 at 86. He is survived by his sons, David and Robert (Alison); four grandchildren; and sisters, Dorothy Dale and Lil Janis. Hillside

Joseph Poltorak died Jan. 24 at 79. He is survived by his wife, Daphne; daughter, Leane (Henry) Kahrs; sons, Steven (Daphne) and Michael (Belen); six grandchildren; brother, David (Jeanette); and sister-in-law, Yvette. Mount Sinai

Sam Presser died Jan. 21 at 92. He is survived by his daughter, Belinda. Mount Sinai

Francis Benjamin Ritz died Jan. 20 at 91. He is survived by his daughter, Judy (Fred) Ruby; and sons, Louis (JoEllen Singleton) and David (Marilyn). Malinow and Silverman

Jerry Rosenstock died Jan. 23 at 86. He is survived by his daughter, Rochelle (Paul) Miller; son, Dennis (Debra); and five grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman

Carol Shachtman died Jan. 20 at 79. She is survived by her husband, Howard; and daughter, Lynda Small. Malinow and Silverman

Berta Yuden died Jan. 25 at 90. She is survived by her niece, Susan (Richard) Fleg. Mount Sinai

Beba Zaslavskaya died Jan. 24 at 81. She is survived by her daughter, Mira; granddaughter, Elina Kogan; two great-grandsons; and sister; Fira Inzel. Chevra Kadisha