A longtime active member of the local Jewish community and supporter of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, Rosalie Rosenzwog passed away on Oct. 14. The Towson resident was 97.
A Baltimore native, Rosenzwog was the daughter of Nathan and Lena Cummins, owners of a hardware store on Reisterstown Road.
“Rosalie spent her life deeply rooted in the city she loved,” her family wrote on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “Her long and vibrant life was marked by an unwavering dedication to family, community service, and a passion for living fully and generously.”
In her youth, Rosenzwog became active in athletics, the arts, traveling and community service.
“Throughout her life, Rosalie enjoyed golf and tennis in her younger years and later became an enthusiastic bridge and mah jong player, relishing both the challenge and the camaraderie,” wrote her family. “Beyond her personal pursuits, she was deeply committed to serving others. She played an active leadership role in the Women’s Division of The Associated Jewish Charities.
“She and [her late husband] Ira were devoted supporters of the Israel Tennis Centers and the Epilepsy Association of Maryland, reflecting their shared love for philanthropy and community. She then established the Ira Rosenzwog Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Epilepsy Foundation in honor of her late husband.”
Rosalie Rosezwog first became involved with The Associated in 1949 and participated in door-to-door solicitations to help Jewish war refugees.
“One of the most moving things for me was going to homes of people who had been here just a short while,” she said in an interview with The Associated. “They would bring out a little purse containing nickels, dimes and quarters and hand it to me as a donation. … I remember walking out of [the 1943 Bette Davis film] ‘Watch on the Rhine,’ crying. That’s when I made a mental commitment to do whatever I could for the rest of my life to make sure we (as Jews) were together and as strong as possible.”
Rosenzwog was also a longtime member and leader of Chizuk Amuno Synagogue in Pikesville.
“Each year, I would speak with Rosalie on behalf of the Chizuk Amuno Annual Appeal,” wrote past congregational president Alan N. Kanter. “In addition to an engaging and catchup conversation, she was always generous in her support. An elegant lady who will be missed.”
Rosenzwog is survived by her children, Janet Rosenzwog (Jim Weir), Stuart Rosenzwog (Nina Rosenzwog) and Sherrie Ehrlich (Clifford Ehrlich); her grandchildren, Rebecca Freiman (Daniel Freiman), Heather Ehrlich, Alex Rosenzwog and Stephen Knable (Talya Knable); and four great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by an extended family of stepchildren and step-grandchildren, including Alan H. Fleischmann (Dafna Tapiero), and Laura Julia and Talia Fleischmann.
Rosenzwog was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Ira Rosenzwog; her longtime companion, Arnold “Arno” Fleischmann; and her brother, Harvey Cummins.
Services for Rosalie Rosenzwog will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. at Sol Levinson’s Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville. Interment will take place at Arlington Chizuk Amuno Cemetery, 4300 N. Rogers Avenue.
Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Ira Rosenzwog Memorial Scholarship Fund, 3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675, Bowie, Maryland 20716, or the charity of your choice.
“Rosalie’s warmth, generosity, and ability to make everyone feel welcome made her beloved by all who knew her,” her family wrote. “Her home was always filled with laughter, great food, thoughtful conversation — and above all — love. She lived life on her own terms, with elegance, intelligence and heart. May Rosalie’s memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.”
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