Isaiah Kuperstein

April 4, 2020 - Shabbat Hagadol

‏ישעיהו  בן  זכריה  ורחל – Yeshayahu Ben Zecharia ve Rachel

Isaiah Kuperstein of Carmel, Indiana passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2020, at age 70, after a 10-day battle with coronavirus. He leaves behind his wife of 43 years Elana (Eizak), sons Adam and Daniel, sister Leah and mother Rachel Markowitz. He was also the loving “Zayde” to grandchildren, Jordyn, Berkley, Rafaeli, Odelia, and Chloe.

Isaiah was born in Haifa, Israel, the son of Holocaust survivors. His family later immigrated to America, where he graduated from Johns Hopkins University and earned a masters degree at Columbia University.

After serving as the founding director of the Holocaust Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Isaiah became the first Director of Education at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. He was a co-curator of the exhibit “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story” which has helped educate millions of young people about the Holocaust. Isaiah also served as Executive Director of the Zionist Organization of America in Baltimore.

Isaiah had a lifelong passion for learning, teaching and continuing the traditions of Judaism. For many years he followed in his father’s footsteps as a high holidays cantor in Gloversville, New York. Later in life, Isaiah was actively pursuing several Jewish history research projects. His other artistic endeavors included musical theater, photography and radio broadcasting.

Isaiah made his mark in business as the President and Owner of Double 8 Foods in Indianapolis. There, he served on the board of the Mapleton Fall-Creek development corporation, and as President of the Temple Heritage Center, helped save the oldest surviving synagogue building in the city. Isaiah also served on the Board of Beth El Congregation and on the Holocaust Memorial Committee of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Known to many as “Shye,” he was also an educator and advisor to his children and grandchildren—always encouraging them to learn from the lessons of the past, and to be open to the vast possibilities of the future. He regularly encouraged them to keep working hard to achieve their greatest dreams and ambitions.

A small graveside funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 7 at Beth El North Cemetery for close family, in accordance with current guidelines.

Friends and family can view the recorded service below on or after Tuesday evening.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, 3085 West 116th Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032. More information available here: https://shaareytefilla.org/get-involved/ OR American Friends of Magen David Adom, More information available here: https://afmda.org/