Rina Frankel

June 26, 1934 -October 17th, 2026

Rina Frankel (née Barth), a Holocaust survivor, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and longtime leader in the Cleveland Jewish community, passed away leaving behind a remarkable legacy of resilience, service, and dedication to Jewish life and education.

Born in Poland on June 26, 1934, Rina was a young child when she and her family were forced to flee their homeland following the Nazi invasion of Poland. They were sent to Siberia and then to Uzbekistan where they remained until the end of World War Il. Tragically, her father did not survive. These early experiences profoundly shaped Rina's life and inspired her lifelong commitment to Holocaust remembrance, Jewish education, and the preservation of Jewish heritage.

Throughout her life, Rina devoted herself to strengthening the Jewish community. For more than 50 years, she was actively involved with Kol Israel, serving as its Vice President. Together with her beloved husband, Samuel of blessed memory, Rina was a founding member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. In May of this year, Rina received The National Leadership Award by the museum. Rina and Samuel were devoted to The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and established scholarship programs to help underprivileged students attend. In addition, they established a research lab to help cure diabetes.

Rina held numerous leadership positions within the Cleveland Jewish community. She served as President of Na'amat and was on its National Board, President of the Cleveland Hebrew Schools, and Vice President of Park Synagogue. She also chaired the Women's Division of Israel Bonds, and on was on the boards of The College of Jewish Studies, and The Aaron Garber Library.

In recognition of their extraordinary commitment to Jewish learning and community service, Rina and Sam received honorary doctorate degrees from the College of Jewish Studies. They were also honored by Israel Bonds and, more recently, by the Hebrew University.

Above all, Rina's greatest joy was her family. She and Samuel shared more than 65 years of marriage, building a life together rooted in love, family, and Jewish tradition.

Rina was the beloved wife of the late Samuel Frankel; devoted mother of Ann Abrams (Marc), Marilyn Oif (Kenneth), Steve Frankel (Dan Ricketts), Donald Frankel (Lori), and Sharon Koltin (Allan); cherished grandmother of I I grandchildren; and loving great-grandmother of 10 great-grandchildren.

Her legacy lives on through the generations of her family, the institutions she helped strengthen, and the countless lives she touched. She will be remembered for the elegance with which she lived, the strength of her convictions, and the enduring love she had for her family and the Jewish people. May her memory be a blessing.

Services will be held Monday, October 19 at 2PM at The Park Synagogue, 27500 Shaker Blvd. Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124. Interment at Bet Olam Cemetery.

Family will observe Shiva at the residence, 24201 Hermitage Rd. Shaker Heights, Ohio. MONDAY FOLLOWING SERVICES AND INTERMENT UNTIL 8PM, TUESDAY THRU THURSDAY 2PM-4PM& 7PM-9PM, FRIDAY 2PM-4PM, SATURDAY 7PM-9PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Rina's memory to either:

Americans Friends of Hebrew University, AFHU.org

or

the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, USHMM.org

Friends who are unable to attend the service, may view the service on Monday, October 19th at 2PM. A link would be provided Monday after 10AM.