Arlene Faye Mazer, Remembered as ‘Consummate Volunteer,’ Dies at 88

February 19, 2025 JMORE Staff

Arlene Faye Mazer "approached life with purpose and precision," wrote her family. (Photo courtesy of Sol Levinson & Bros.)

Arlene Faye Mazer, a longtime Jewish community volunteer, passed away on Friday, Jan. 31. The Pikesville resident was 88.

“Arlene embodied the Jewish principle of tikkun olam — repairing the world — through intentional kindness,” her family wrote on the memorial page of Sol Levinson & Bros. “She was a true pillar of her community, always ready to lend a hand or offer a kind word. Her contributions were driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, and she taught those around her the importance of dependability, integrity and thoughtful action.

“Her legacy is one of a strong family and a community enriched by her principled devotion.”

For her decades of community service, Mazer received the Lillian E. Shusterman Woman of Valor Award in 2021 from Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation at its Women’s Club Shabbat Service.

The award is named in memory of the wife of Har Sinai’s late Rabbi Emeritus Abraham Shusterman. Lillian Shusterman, who died in 1971, served as sisterhood president and was a congregational leader.

Mazer joined the sisterhood 56 years ago. She told Jmore in a 2021 profile that she wanted to “do something constructive” with her spare time when her son entered the first grade. At her aunt’s suggestion, she joined Temple Oheb Shalom’s sisterhood.

“I collected money at the door for meetings, and that’s how it began,” Mazer said.

Over the years, Mazer devoted countless hours to the sisterhood by spearheading fundraising projects, organizing trips to New York and organizing Oneg Shabbat celebrations. She held all of the executive sisterhood positions — including president — multiple times.

“If it was important to the sisterhood, I had time to help,” she said. “They could call on me 24/7 and come over anytime. My dog even got used to people regularly visiting the house.”

Mazer described receiving the Schusterman Award as the “thrill of a lifetime. I didn’t expect it. All I wanted was to help people in the community, and this is the reward. It gives you a good feeling to help somebody, and I wanted to help as many ‘somebodies’ as possible.”

Mazer was also a two-time president of both the National Council of Jewish Women and the Federation of Jewish Women’s Organizations of Maryland, as well as a longtime Covenant Guild member. She also served on the National Board of Sisterhoods for 10 years and was a treasurer of Miriam Lodge.

In 2021, Arlene Burman, assistant treasurer of HSOSC’s Women’s Club, called Mazer “the consummate volunteer — always willing to do any job, do it well and with a smile.”

At HSOSC, Mazer regularly attended Friday evening Shabbat services with her husband, Bernard, after whom the congregation’s Mazer Morning Minyan Lecture and Discussion Group is named.

Arlene Mazer is survived by her son, Millard Mazer, his wife, Karen Mazer, and their three children, Mark, Julie and David Mazer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard (Bernie) Mazer, and her eldest son, Allan Mazer.

Arlene Mazer’s funeral service was held privately. Her family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Mazer Morning Minyan, to support the HSOSC Women’s Club, or for the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, at Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation, 7310 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21208.

“Known for her warm heart, sharp wit and unwavering strength, Arlene left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered,” her family wrote. “She approached life with purpose and precision, demonstrating her love through consistent support, whether it was picking up her grandchildren from school, dedicating hours to Temple Oheb Shalom’s Sisterhood, or being present for the meaningful moments in her family’s lives. …

“Arlene Mazer will be greatly missed, but her spirit of kindness and her lifetime of service will continue to inspire all who knew her.”