Alan Z. Lefkowitz, Esq.
November 8, 2019

Alan Zoel Lefkowitz was born 12/1/1932 to the late Curtis Lefkowitz and the late Lily Rose Lefkowitz (Selznick). Alan was known from childhood for his intelligence and his cheerful good humor. He remembered his first job helping his pharmacist father, counting pills and operating the soda machine. He had to stand on a box to reach the machine. Alan went to high school at Tennessee Military Institute, where he championed the younger classmates and played football. He enjoyed following college football the rest of his life. Alan finished high school early and went to college at the University of Pittsburgh. He played football for one season at Pitt, but found his real love on stage with the Pitt Players. His Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace was acclaimed in the Pittsburgh newspapers.  Though his years with the Pitt Players were his only foray in the glare of the footlights, his love of theater was a lifelong passion that he shared with family and friends. Theater, especially but not only Shakespeare, was an exploration of the human spirit to Alan. His first date with his future wife, Francine Kaplan, was to Henry IV, Part I. He completed law school at the University of Michigan in time to get married at the age of 23, and then went into the army. The army sent him to Monterrey, California, for an intensive course in Russian and German, then sent him and his wife to Berlin. Alan was honorably discharged as a sergeant and came home with his wife in 1959, days before the birth of his oldest son. Alan and Fran had three children, Curtis (Kelly and wife Annick-France), Gail,  David (Dawn Haberlach) and three grandchildren, Maylis Tournissac-Lefkowitz, Sidoine Tournissac-Lefkowitz, and Rebecca Lefkowitz. Alan was very involved in parenting, coming home every evening for family dinners and to share hobbies like photography and music. Alan was a very talented photographer, participating in Pittsburgh’s Photoimager’s Guild and other photo clubs. He even had a photo that got to the finals of a National Geographic photo contest. Alan grew up at and remained a member of Rodef Shalom Congregation for his whole life. He was a past president of the junior congregation and the brotherhood. Alan practiced corporate and securities law at Kaplan, Finkel, Lefkowitz, Roth, Ostrow, and Woolridge until it was bought by Tucker Arensberg, whereupon he left to practice with Kabala and Geeseman until retiring at the age of 72. He also taught classes in Arts and the Law for a master’s in nonprofit management program at CMU. Throughout his life, Alan was a warm, friendly man who was always willing to share advice or lend a hand. His intelligence and quick wit aided many in problem-solving and brightened social gatherings. He was incredibly even tempered, loved to laugh, and always found the silver nitrate lining in every photographic cloud. He will be missed. Interment was held at West View Cemetery.  A memorial service will be held at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue (at Morewood), on Sunday, November 10, 2019, at 1:00 PM, reception to follow, all are welcome.  Shiva Sunday, November 11, and Monday, November 12, from 6:00PM - 8:00PM at the Temple. Contributions in Alan's name may be made to the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, 201 N. Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, or to Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., www.schugar.com

Condolences

In 1990 , when Rodef Shalom Brotherhood invited our group of volunteer / pro bono immigration attorneys to work in an office to provide legal services to New Americans , Alan Lefkowitz , spent much time helping us organize and establish the service . He was straight forward , and clear on his descriptions on how we could be a "pro bono ,"group within Temple . He was always available on the phone for questions concerning non profit status and ideas for upcoming seminars for the lawyers and immigrants . May his family always remember his passion for good works and love of the Rodef Shalom Brotherhood and Temple. Hamakom .....M M Milch -Mike