Dr. Miriam Muskin

Dr. Miriam Muskin, beloved wife and Rebbetzin of Rabbi Jacob Muskin, z”l, passed away in her home on Shabbat morning, January 10, 2026, at the age of 99, in the company of her family. Born on October 25, 1926, in Mount Vernon, New York, Miriam was raised in Woodmere, NY, and Manhattan. She attended Hunter College for two years before marrying Rabbi Jacob Muskin, embarking on a lifelong partnership rooted in a shared purpose of Jewish communal service and education. At the age of 40, Dr. Muskin returned to school, completing her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in English Literature. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors and was nominated for the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, earning the title of Woodrow Wilson Scholar. Based on her doctoral dissertation research on John Milton’s Samson Agonistes, she published a landmark article in Milton Studies in 1980 and continues to be cited in Miltonic scholarship. She was a professor of English at Cleveland State University for over fifteen years. In 1949, at the dawn of the establishment of the State of Israel, Rabbi and Dr. Muskin made Aliyah, but ultimately returned to the United States, where they raised their family and devoted themselves to the Cleveland Jewish community. In August 1950, Rabbi Muskin became the Rabbi of the Kinsman Jewish Center, which later merged with eight other synagogues including the Warrensville Center Synagogue and is known today as Ohev Tzedek Cedar Sinai. Dr. Muskin was deeply involved in her husband’s rabbinic work and spent the next 75 years of her life devoted to Jewish life in Cleveland. As Rebbetzin, Dr. Muskin played a central role in synagogue life. She ran programming for the Warrensville Center Synagogue Sisterhood and Women’s Club. She also served as Chapter President of the Orthodox Union Women’s Branch, advocating for women’s involvement in Jewish life and communal leadership. She was deeply active in AMIT, the nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education for children in Israel. For many years, Dr. Muskin spearheaded the AMIT summer lecture series, became President of the Cleveland Chapter, and was honored by AMIT Cleveland in 1997 for her dedicated work. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award by AMIT International in 2020. A lifelong learner, Dr. Muskin read three newspapers daily, wrote plays for teenagers in schools, and remained physically active — jumping rope for half an hour each morning well into her late 80s. She was also an avid baker, teaching her children and grandchildren family recipes, including favorites such as peach pie and toffee bars. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Miriam Muskin was predeceased by her husband in 1990. She is survived by her children Yosef (Barbara z”l) Muskin, Aliza (Rabbi Efrem) Lifschitz, Rabbi Elazar (Ruhama) Muskin, and Refahel (Sharon) Muskin, 14 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. Dr. Muskin was a devoted and generous supporter of charitable causes throughout her life. In keeping with her values, the family invites memorial contributions to AMIT or organizations that support Jewish education. May her memory be a blessing.

The Levayah/funeral will take place on Sunday, January 11, 12:30 p.m. at Daughters of Miriam (formerly Montefiore), Beachwood Ohio.

Kevurah/Burial will take place on Monday, January 11 at Eretz Hachaim cemetery, in Bet Shemesh, Israel.

Following burial in Israel, the family will receive visitors for shiva in Beachwood from Wednesday (Jan 14) afternoon through Sunday night (Jan 19).

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבילי ציון וירושלים

May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim.