Our beloved father, Maury L. Schwartz, former director of education at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, passed away on Monday, May 30, at his home in Skokie, Ill.
He was born in St. Louis on July 14, 1927, to Lena and Charles Schwartz. Maury was preceded in death by his first wife, Estelle Breslauer Schwartz (1928-2000); his brother, Nathan Schwartz; and his sister, Ida Zinner. He is survived by his wife, Shirley (nee Gold) of Skokie; his four children; and his six grandchildren.
Maury served the families of Congregation B’nai Jehudah as director of education from 1962 to 1970. Maury’s contribution to the Kansas City Jewish community extended beyond his own congregation. He worked successfully to upgrade in-service teacher education programs, raise standards for all religious teacher qualifications, and was instrumental in the development of the Community High School of Jewish Studies. He also created a special education class for religious school youngsters regardless of congregational affiliation, a first in his era. He loved his Kansas City family.
Maury served as education director for Jewish congregations in Omaha, Neb., Miami Beach and Naperville, Ill. He was a faculty member at Union Institute Camp in Oconomowoc, Wis., and director of the Jewish Welfare Assn. Camp. He loved his work with children and was proud that he was able to teach religious school for 60 continuous years.
Maury held a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University and the George Warren Brown School of Social Work in St. Louis and took additional work at Columbia University. He enjoyed a second long career as the director of the older adolescent department at Chicago Read Mental Health Center and had a private practice in counseling and therapy.
Moishe was the beloved and cherished father of Naomi Radhika Schwartz and Deborah (Michael) Pogel, of Fairfield, Iowa; Judy (Reid) Herreid Oberer of Boulder, Colo., and David (Ruth Ellis) Schwartz of Arlington, Va.; proud and loving grandfather of Avi Pogel, Daniel and Rachel Ellis Schwartz, Hannah and Noah Herreid and Natalie Oberer; and devoted uncle and friend to many.
Maury was buried at Shalom Memorial Park with Rabbi Sander J. Mussman officiating.
The family asks those who wish to honor Maury to make a contribution to a Jewish charity of their choice.