05/10/2026
Arlene Zweifler
Arlene Zweifler passed away on May 10, 2026.
Arlene spent her career as an educator in the New York City Public School system where she was an important positive influence on thousands of students.
She was also a major philanthropist and activist in the community for many humanitarian causes.
Arlene was respected and admired by everyone who came into contact with her, and she was a good friend to all.
Arlene is survived by her sister Elaine Zweifler, numerous other relatives and many friends.
Arlene was remembered at her funeral by her friend Steven Morey Greenberg as follows.
FUNERAL OF ARLENE ZWEIFLER
REMARKS BY STEVEN MOREY GREENBERG
MAY 13,2026
Good afternoon and welcome.
Thank you to all of you for coming and for taking part in one of our final kindnesses for Arlene.
Unfortunately, there are others who were not able to be here.
We all know Arlene for a long time. Arlene and I were for friends for about 45 years. We first met at Jewish Family Service meetings while were both serving on the Board there.
When I started to consider what I was going to say here today and I thought of all of the many, many Mitzvahs, Arlene had done during her life, and I also contemplated the many more kindnesses she did which are know only to G-d and to her, I realized even more what a remarkable person she was.
There is a little story concerning a conversation about that, some of which was actually said and some of which was silent, but nonetheless understood between us.
I was asking Arlene for one word that she thought could be used to describe her. Of course, she did not want to say. Half kidding I said that in light of the many good things she had done maybe I should just make up a word to describe her.
Of course, Arlene’s profession was teacher; and I understand she was a great teacher, although she was strict, but in a nice way.
She was just aghast that I would think up a word, so there was Arlene in my face, so to speak: “NO, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT,” you cannot just make up a word. There’s a process; there are the dictionary people to involve., etc.
I had a number of suggestions for the one word, which also did not work for her.
Finally, I said, OK, the word is “EXTRAORDINARY.” Now she was almost on the verge of being angry at me. It didn’t apply she said forcefully, she would be embarrassed, I could not do it, etc.
At that point I said we had discussed it enough, and now, it is out of your hands.
Well, as you may have experienced, her attitude then was to silently give up the discussion, but not without first giving me that look and the end of discussion waive of the arm treatment, after which she just walked away.
So be it - EXTRAORDINARY it is.
There are numerous other words to describe Arlene, and it is fitting that since she was a teacher and believed in words we explore that a bit.
Here are some additional words, not necessarily in the order of importance:
Philanthropist
I thought I knew the extent of her philanthropy, but I learned a lot more. It is absolutely amazing how many charities were the object of Arlene’s generosity. I was receiving her mail at that point and every few months there accumulated a full box of communications from various charities.
But it was not only money - Arlene was also very generous with her time.
In tribute to all of this there are representatives here today from of some of the organizations she befitted, including the Jewish Home Family and the Jewish Federation.
Teacher and Mentor
Arlene was a great teacher to a number of generations of young people.
I have heard many stories of students who went out into the world on the right course due to Arlene’s efforts.
Arlene was also a mentor. For example, at the Englewood Health Foundation she generously supported financially the Junior Scholarship Program and representatives are also here today from that Foundation.
She also mentored her teaching team at the school where she taught, and this also resulted in a number of lifelong mutual friendships.
Friends and Family
These were also important to Arlen.
Loyalty were also important in Arlene’s life.
Her family is also here today as are some very dear friends, all of whom I know she cherished to the end as she also did those who could not be here today.
A particular instance of friendship comes to mind.
There was an older couple in her apartment building who were starting to fail. Without being asked she proceeded to befriend them, offered companionship, and helped them with their physical needs.
Not only was this an unsolicited good deed, but years later when Arlene needed some help this couple’s daughter stepped up and assisted Arlene with those same needs.
Activist
Arlene was a strong advocate and activist for Jewish causes and many other humanitarian causes in general.
Open Minded
As a result, she was a world traveler, experiencing other cultures and learning from them.
Spiritual
Finally, Arlene was a spiritual person.
One manifestation of this was that she always knew when a Jewish Holiday was coming up and she always made sure that she made arrangements to celebrate it appropriately, or asked me to make the arrangements for her once she no longer could do it herself.
Perhaps most importantly, she was conscious of, and believed, that each of us has within us, from a higher source, a soul and a spark which goes along with it. She fanned that spark into a raging fire, generating kindness and warmth wherever she went.
To Sum Up
To sum up, Arlene was a person you could count on personally and the community could count on her.
She gave generously of herself without asking for or expecting anything in return.
Perhaps for that very reason she received a lot of return.
Everyone who came into contact with Arlene recognized her merit and respected and admired her.
She was a good friend to everyone.
Arlene, rest in peace; you earned it.
The family requests that anyone who wishes to remember Arlene with a donation direct same to the Jewish Home Family, 10 Link Drive, Rockleigh, NJ.
View Arlene Zweifler's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
