ERLICH - Miriam, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2021, at Amsterdam House, NY. She was born in Kaunas, Lithuania on December 29,1940 while her parents were fleeing Poland en route to the United States amid the chaos and violence of World War II.
Her father, Alexander Erlich, was a Professor of Economic History at Columbia University and her mother, Rachel Fliegel Erlich, a scholar at YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Her paternal grandfather, Henryk Erlich, was the leader of the Bund, a Jewish socialist party in Poland and her grandmother was Sophia Dubnova Erlich, a poet and activist.
Miriam graduated from Barnard College in 1962 with a degree in English. She taught the 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades at PS145 for 30 years. Miriam loved teaching and loved her students, and they were devoted to her. A life-long New Yorker, she reveled in New York’s excitement and cultural resources, particularly the Metropolitan Museum.
Miriam was a gifted pianist and one of her greatest pleasures was making music with her friends. She was a devoted member of Chamber Music Associates and an active member of the Barnard Book Group as well as a die-hard Mets fan. Her warmth and humor will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her cousins, Henry Erlich of Oakland CA, Mark Erlich of Boston MA, Irene Etkin Goldman, of Ewing, NJ, their families, and remembered by her wise and steadfast friend Jill Horowitz as well as countless other devoted friends. Private graveside services will be held September 30, 2021. Memorial donations may be sent to YIVO and Doctors Without Borders.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riversidememorialchapel.com for the Erlich family.
