Shirley Kleiman

Shirley Kleiman, age 97, a longtime resident of Grand Rapids, passed away Monday, August 19, 2024 in West Bloomfield, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Morris, “Moe” Kleiman; her sister, Phyllis Rapaport; and her brother, Arnold Levine.

Shirley is survived by her children Lynn and Herb Malinoff, Ian Kleiman and Elizabeth English; grandchildren Gabriel and Lakshmi Sundaram Delahaye, Aaron and Sarah Malinoff; her great grandchildren, Maya, Lukesh, and Lev; nieces and nephews Stuart and Barbara Rapaport, Irv and Barbara Rapaport and David and Marlene Rapaport, Bill and Katie Cooper Kleiman, and Richard Kleiman; nieces Susan and Milton Gross, Eileen Kleiman and Peter Lurye, Karen Levine-Castner and Jill Levine Alexander; as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews.

Shirley was an active member of Ahavas Israel Congregation for over 70 years. She was a United Synagogue Youth Advisor, shepherding teens and providing guidance well into adulthood for many. She is known for her cooking and support in the synagogue kitchen. Her cookbook, Shirley Kleiman’s Jewish Cookbook, is treasured by the family and extensive fan club she collected over the years.

Shirley and Moe had a 73 and a half year marriage, a lasting love affair with each other, building a beautiful family life together. Shirley’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews all benefit from her loving support, the example she provided, and the legacy of her commitment to family and community. We are all so very grateful for learning to “show up” for each other and to create “shalom babayit.” (peace in the household).

Funeral services for Shirley will take place on Thursday, August 22 at 1:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 1401 Leonard St. NW. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Congregation Ahavas Israel or the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids are appreciated. To sign her guestbook or leave a memory, visit www.heritagelifestory.com