Obituary of Rabbi Michael Szenes

Glenville, New York Rabbi Michael Szenes, 93, passed away on Monday, May 17, 2010. Born in Budapest, Hungary, Rabbi Szenes immigrated to the United States as a Holocaust survivor. He received a Doctorate of Semitic Studies from the University of Budapest and graduated from the Theological Seminary of Hungary. He was Spiritual Leader of Congregation Gates of Heaven from 1959 to 1984. Rabbi Szenes was active in numerous interfaith and civic organizations and received the Schenectady Patroon Award for his dedicated service to the community. Mignon Szenes, wife, and Harold Szenes, son, predeceased Rabbi Szenes. Survivors include children: Robert Szenes of Boston, Mrs. Peter (Miriam) Vollweiler of Burnt Hills, Hannah Dakin of Amsterdam, NY ,daughter-in-law Mrs. Gail Szenes of Trenton, NJ and son-in-law, Michael Dakin of Ballston Lake; grandchildren: Ben and William Dakin of Ballston Lake, Eric Vollweiler of Burnt Hills, Daniel Vollweiler of Saratoga, Mrs. Jordana Weil of Chicago, Mrs. Larissa Steele of Brooklyn, Mrs. Kendra Schlussel-Hirth of Lawrence, NY, Benjamin Szenes of Plainview, NY and 15 great grandchildren. Service at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue Schenectady, NY on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 12 noon. Interment will follow in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery on Watt Street in Schenectady, NY. Following the service of interment, lunch will be served at Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady. . Memorial Contributions can be made to Magen David (Red Cross) of Israel, Congregation Gates of Heaven Social Action Committee, or The Glendale Nursing Home Activities Department, 59 Hetcheltown Road, Scotia, NY 12302. The period of mourning will be observed at Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady, NY on Saturday evening, May 22nd commencing at 7:00pm.