Funeral Details

Benjamin Goldstein

October 28, 1939 - January 17, 2025

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Friday, January 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM

Graveside

Waldheim Jewish Cemetery
1400 South Des Plaines Avenue
Forest Park, Illinois 60130
Get Directions

Clergy

Cantor Kevin McKenzie

Memorial Contributions

Jewish United Fund
30 South Wells Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
www.juf.org





OBITUARY

Benjamin Goldstein, born on October 28, 1939, to Morris and Ethel Goldstein, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 17, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois.
Benjamin was the first in his family to go to college. In addition to running his family's butcher shop in Chicago, J&M Meat Market, he worked a variety of accounting jobs. He embraced a new calling later in life as a para-chaplain. In this role, he devoted himself to leading Jewish services for elderly individuals who were unable to attend temple services. His compassionate efforts provided spiritual connection and comfort to many, leaving a lasting impact on the lives he touched.
He will be remembered for his commitment to Jewish life and determination—qualities that shaped his character and guided his actions throughout his life.
Benjamin is survived by his three children: Michael, David, and Elena (Mark Henderson), and grandchildren Sam and Ezra.
May his memory be a blessing.
Graveside Service Friday 10:30AM Waldheim Jewish Cemetery, 1400 South Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Memorials to JUF, 30 S. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60606, www.juf.org would be appreciated. To view the funeral livestream please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Buffalo Grove Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Benjamin Goldstein below and we will share them with the family.
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We will always remember Ben as he was the guy who did whatever he could to help people have a Jewish life experience. He was friendly and thoughtful, always handing out his "little trinkets." At any given time, I would have a pocketful of them. Having done services at a nursing home for 2 decades, I know how he felt when providing Jewish experiences. He will be missed.

Shelly Kaiz
January 21, 2025
Ben was a warm, welcoming light to me and so many others. He always had a smile and a kind word, and I loved the little pocket trinkets he would share (I still have mine!). He will be deeply missed, but I know he lives on in the lives of all of those he touched.

Tracy Friend
January 22, 2025
My dear Ben,
I’ll always be grateful for our friendship & spiritual journey together for more than 30 yrs& your guidance & leadership in leading Jewish services,together @ Glenview at Terrace & elsewhere, you as a parachaplain & me as your Cantorial soloist…Together we raised Jewish spirits thruout this Jewish area.
Your memory will truly be blessed. Your dedication & love of Judaism will live forever, espcecially your encouragement of my career…& your Jewish spirit will live on…
You’ll live on & pray & sing forever…….ahmen
May you be blessed as you go on your way to meet your Lord thru his Golden Gates…….
Shalom. my friend…until we meet again, & we will…
Your loving friend & partner…..Cantorial Soloist Paula Drues

Cantorial Soloist Paula Drues
January 24, 2025
Grateful for being in Ben’s Shabbat services since the beginning of COVID when my husband , Burt was admitted to Glenview Terrace Nursing Center. We enjoyed his services along with his wit and kindnesses shown to us on every occasion. Ben seldom complained but his ambulation just got more difficult in the past 2 yrs. Ben truly was a mensch to us. May Ben’s daughter and sons go from strength to strength during this difficult time. Cherish the good times! Shalom, Becky Ofsaiof

Becky Ofsaiof
January 24, 2025