The Department of Religious Studies faculty, staff, students, and emeritus professors are mourning the loss of Associate Professor Emeritus Helen Goldstein, who passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.
Helen earned her MA and PhD in Semitic Languages and History from Radcliffe College (1956), followed by an AAUW Traveling Fellowship at Oxford University (1957-58). In 1968 Professor Goldstein joined the faculty of the School of Religion (former name of Department of Religious Studies), specializing in medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy. She taught in the School of Religion until she retired, along with her husband Jonathan (a professor in History and Classics) in 1995. Professor Goldstein was the first woman faculty member in the School of Religion.
Helen is remembered fondly by faculty and emeritus professors as immensely learned and possessing a great sense of humor. In 2012 the Department established an annual undergraduate award in her honor.
The department wishes to extend their deepest sympathy to Helen's daughters, Risë and Rachel, her son-in-law Stephen Lester, and her sister Joyce Pollack.
A funeral will be held at Agudas Achim Congregation, Coralville, Iowa, at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022.