Gladys Nisenbaum

Gladys Nisenbaum,
age 90, died unexpectedly but peacefully, on February 25, 2016 in her home of 60 years in Indianapolis, Indiana. Gladys was born on July 17, 1925 in Indianapolis to parents Isaac and Esther Cohen. The second youngest of eleven children, Gladys was raised in the Sephardic tradition of her immigrant parents. This rich heritage became the backdrop of her life as she carried the values of her family, her culture and her Judaism into her passion for community service, social justice and leadership. Gladys was also the proud matriarch of her family, perpetuating the traditions of her parents to whom she was so devoted.

In 1950, Gladys married Nathan Nisenbaum and they started their life together on the north side of Indianapolis. As Nathan pursued his career in corporate law, Gladys dedicated herself to a life of charitable acts. Among the many organizations she served include her participation on the board of directors for United Way, the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation and the Jewish Welfare Federation of Indianapolis. She assumed leadership roles in the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the National Council of Jewish Women as president in 1968. In 1974, Gladys received the David M. Cook Memorial Award for excellence in human relations. She was actively involved in Pre-School of Indianapolis and Head Start. Her greatest accomplishment was her part in founding the Black/Jewish Dialogue whose aim was to bring two cultures together to encourage understanding and promote tolerance. For ten years, Gladys was the program director at Park Regency and was adored by the residents she served. In the mid-seventies, Gladys returned to IUPUI to earn an associates degree in sociology; she was a lifelong learner and a lover of the arts. In 1968, as chairperson of the National Council of International Visitors, Gladys hosted the Chinese acrobats at Clewes Hall, a spectacular event, an early example of the development of Chinese and American relations through the arts. Her crowning achievement was her collaboration with Susan B. Hyatt in publishing a book chronicling the co-existence of the African-American and Sephardic cultures in her childhood neighborhood on the south side of Indianapolis: The Neighborhood of Saturdays. This book is a tribute to all that defined Gladys's life: Jewish values, multi-ethnicity, and strong humanity.

Gladys is survived by three children, Rhonda McCune, Myrna Beth Nisenbaum and Eric Nisenbaum, as well as three grandchildren, Matthew McCune, and Rebecca and Lily Nisenbaum. Predeceased are her husband Nathan of almost 50 years and her grandson, Jason McCune. Gladys will be remembered by countless friends, young and old, whom she embraced as if they were own family.

The funeral service will be held at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation on Monday, February 29th at 2 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, the Jewish Welfare Federation, the Jason McCune Memorial Scholarship or the United Way. Memories or messages of condolence may be shared on the online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com.

The family will receive friends on Monday evening, February 29th at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation where Minyan will be held at 5:45. The family will be sitting shiva at the home of Eric Nisenbaum on Jewel Lane in Carmel, Indiana.

Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Funeral & Cremation Services.