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Minda Tilchin



Minda Tilchin, 64, of Huntington Woods, Michigan, died after sunset on 07 January 2017.

The Funeral was held at IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL on Wednesday, 11 January 2017 at 11:00 AM .

Rabbi David Nelson, Cantor Samuel Greenbaum and Cantor Daniel Gross officiated.

Click to watch a video of the recorded service.

Interment at Machpelah Cemetery.

Click for Directions for Cemetery


Devoted daughter of Jeannette Katz Tilchin (z'l) and Asher Norton Tilchin, and loving step-daughter to Arlene Tilchin; beloved mother to Bethany (Schaer) Higa and Justin Higa of Portland, OR, and Aaron Schaer and Keren Thoms of Seattle, WA, and adoring grandmother to Ethan Higa; loving and supportive sister to William Tilchin and Carol Giliberto of Providence RI, Michael Tilchin and Linda Greer of Bethesda, MD, and Marcia Tilchin and Scott Spitzer of Tustin, CA; caring and committed step-sister to Robert and Nancy Schostak, David and Elise Schostak, Ricky and Dorit Schostak, and Mark and Lillian Schostak. Minda was very close to her many tens of nieces, nephews, cousins and all of their families, and was in every respect at the center of her extended family. Minda and Alan Katz, her former husband, maintained a profoundly caring relationship.

Minda worked for the Royal Oak School System from 1990 until her retirement in 2010, serving as the Pre-School Coordinator for Special Education from 1994 onward. When parents with special needs children came to the Royal Oak Schools, they had an effective and unstoppable advocate in Minda. After leaving the Royal Oak Schools, Minda served as a clinical social worker for Counseling Associates of West Bloomfield, MI. Minda had worked previously for Jewish Family Services and Counseling Associates, and also as an elementary school teacher in the Clarkston Community School District.

Minda was a graduate of the West Bloomfield Schools, the University of Michigan, and the Wayne State School of Social Work, where Minda earned her MSW degree. She was a Licensed Master Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Minda excelled in many areas, and was a champion speller, winning school and district spelling bee competitions while in elementary school. Minda was a pioneer in creating wilderness camping experiences and teaching outdoor camping and leadership skills to young women. Minda served as the first female counselor and then Assistant Director at Camp Tamarack's Agree Outpost Camp, and led teens on backcountry trips to the mountain ranges of the American west. Minda was a lifelong member of Congregation Beth Shalom, and was the first bat mitzvah when the new sanctuary opened in 1965.

Minda loved the outdoors and that remained an essential part of her life, spending as much time as she could at her rustic cabin in North Ontario. She was an accomplished handywoman- comfortable with a wrench, drill, saw, or hammer in her hand, eager to take on home repair projects. She loved cooking, especially baking, and she excelled at it. She loved teaching her children, nieces, nephews, and young cousins how to succeed in the kitchen. Preparing delicious and beautiful meals for her large extended family for s'machot and other life-cycle events was her forte. Dinner for 150 was not unheard of.

Following the interment at Machpelah, the meal of comfort will take place at the home of Minda Tilchin, 13302 Borgman Avenue, Huntington Wood, MI, 48070. Shiva minyanim at Minda's home are as follows:

Wednesday, 1/11: Mincha /Maariv (5 PM)
Thursday, 1/12: Shacharit (7:30 AM) and Mincha/Maariv (5PM)
Friday, 1/13: Shacharit (7:30 AM)
Sunday, 1/15: Shacharit (8:30 AM), Mincha/Maariv (5 PM)
Monday, 1/16: Shacharit (7:30 AM) and Mincha/Maariv (5PM)
Tuesday, 1/17: Shacharit (7:30 AM)


It is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of Minda Tilchin may do so by making a contribution to:

Tamarack Camps
6735 Telegraph Road #380
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
(248) 647-1100
http://tamarackcamps.com/tributes/
Click to Visit Charity Website

or
Detroit Public Television
Riley Broadcast Center
1 Clover Ct
Wixom, MI 48393
(248) 305-3788
http://www.dptv.org/home/
Click to Visit Charity Website

or
Congregation Beth Shalom
Jeannette Tilchin Memorial Fund
14601 Lincoln
Oak Park, MI 48237
248-547-7970
http://congbethshalom.org/
Click to Visit Charity Website

or
Jewish Collaborative of Orange County
2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-402-8004
https://jewishcollaborativeoc.org/
Click to Visit Charity Website