Sylvan Julian Steinberg

Sylvan Julian Steinberg passed away on November 5th. Born in New Iberia in 1933 and a graduate of New Iberia High School, he moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane where he earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the college in 1953 and a J.D. from the Law School in 1955. While on the Uptown campus he served on the Board of Editors for the Tulane Law Review and was awarded the Order of the Coif. Sylvan joined the law firm of Rittenberg, Weinstein & Bronfin the same year, where he eventually became a full partner, working for the firm and its successor organization Heller Draper into the age of 87. His legal work included protecting the constitutional rights of local figures while also assisting numerous clients, appearing before local and state courts, the United States Court of Appeals’ Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, United States District Courts for the Middle and Western Districts, and early in his career having a notable case reviewed by the United States Supreme Court.

Sylvan was incredibly generous with his time and his talents, serving on numerous volunteer organizations across a variety of New Orleans area communities. He was the chairman of the Community improvement Agency during the late Ernest Morial’s time as mayor, in effect helping the city’s homeless find residences while securing and renovating delinquent landlord-owned homes and apartment buildings across the city. Sylvan also was Major Judge Advocate General Corp for the United States Army and United States Army Reserve.

In the New Orleans and vicinity Jewish community he was an active leader for over half a century. He was the President of numerous Jewish organizations including B’nai B’rith and Tikvat Shalom conservative congregation, and served on or advised the boards of the Jewish Welfare Federation of New Orleans, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Jewish Endowment Fund, the Anti-Defamation League, and Tulane Hillel. Sylvan clearly was very close to his alma mater, generously devoting his time to Tulane’s Alumni Association being the President of the Tulane Emeritus Club focused on those who had passed their 50th reunions, while also being a football season ticket holder for 65 years. Sylvan coached various youth basketball and baseball teams where he taught the value of hard work and team spirit. He also loved physical fitness, fishing, carnival parades, and spending time with his immediate and extended family.

Sylvan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judith Ann Benson Steinberg of New Orleans. He also is survived by three children: Jeanne Wyn Clifford (Ralph) of Lexington, Massachusetts, Susan Beth Fischer of Baton Rouge, and Jonathan Michael Steinberg (Elizabeth Barrekette) of Boulder, Colorado plus his sister, Carolyn Yuspeh of New Orleans. In addition he is survived by six grandchildren: Bennett and Justin Clifford, Kevin and Jessica Fischer, and Erin and Sam Barrekette.

The family wishes to provide a special thank you to those who cared for him in his final days: Karlos Atkinson and Janecqua Macpherson.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021 at Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, 3737 W Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA 70002. Interment will follow at Tikvat Shalom Cemetery, St. Rose, LA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Sylvan’s memory be sent to the Jewish Federation of New Orleans, the Emanuel Steinberg Scholarship Fund at Shir Chadash Congregation, or a charity of your choice.