Miriam B. Halachmi

Halachmi, Miriam Birnbaum, age 70 years, died February 28, 2015 at her home. She was born April 11, 1944 in Israel to Mordechai and Yonina Birnbaum. She attended school in Binyamina, Israel, where she grew up, and went to David Yellin Teachers’ College in Jerusalem. Upon graduation, she married Arie Halachmi and furthered her education in learning disabilities and behavior modification, receiving a degree in counseling from Hebrew University. She and Arie spent four years in Buffalo, NY, where she got a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Arie received a PhD public policy sciences.

Mrs. Halachmi is survived by her loving and adored children, Dr. Shlomit Halachmi, Boston, MA, and Alan Halachmi (Andrea), Rockville, MD, granddaughters Nina Lilly Birnbaum and Lia Erin Halachmi. She is also survived by her father, Mordechai Birnbaum, and her three sisters, Drora (Gary) Rimer, Ofira (Yehuda) Baumel, Urit (Hanan) Shapira, and many nieces and nephews.

Miriam was the beloved Director of the West End Synagogue Religious School (1979-2011). The school was recently dedicated in her honor and named Beit Miriam Religious School. “Beit” literally means “house” in Hebrew, but in Judaism “house” and “school” have common characteristics. She also taught Hebrew Language in the Department of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University. She was recently honored there as well with an award to be presented yearly in her name. Her students spoke of her warmth, her love, her sense of humor, and the challenging way she had of teaching text. A fellow teacher and congregant called her a “text person.” Miriam nurtured her students and always looked at them as individuals with diverse needs. She was so proud of her students who chose to pursue Jewish Studies in college and of those who were active leaders in their respective Jewish communities wherever they lived.

Pallbearers are Dr. Sanford Herman, Joel Isenstein, Kenneth Kraft, Dr. Michael Levitt, Dr. Stanley Lee, Dr. Larry Lubow, Moises Paz, Dr. Gene Sacks, Dr. Rob Stein, Dr. Paul Sternberg, Rabbi Saul Strossberg, Dr. Bob Workman, Rami Weismark, and David Yaffe (Arlington, VA).

Funeral services were held at the West End Synagogue, 3810 West End Ave, on Sunday, March 1, at 2:00 pm, conducted by Rabbi Joshua Kullock. Shiva minyanim will take place at the West End Synagogue at 6:00 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Halachmi-Birnbaum fund at the West End Synagogue, 3810 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205.