Burton Steinberg, teacher and role model for many

When the Bikur Cholim synagogue moved from Capitol Hill to the Seward Park area in the 1970s, older members unable to travel to the new site were left without a congregation. Burton Steinberg stepped in and helped establish the Capitol Hill Minyan, a branch of the Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath synagogue, at 1501 17th Ave., Seattle.

For the next 30 years, he served as its unpaid director. He led singing, bought food for services and celebrations, handled finances and taught.

Mr. Steinberg died Wednesday (Oct. 10) from leukemia. He was 83.

Everyone who met him knew he cared for them, friends and family said.

Every High Holy Day and Sabbath — sundown Friday to sundown Saturday — Mr. Steinberg left his Bellevue home to minister to congregation members at the Council House, a retirement home on Capitol Hill close to his synagogue.

Every Friday, he called widows from the congregation, wishing them good Sabbath and letting them know someone cared. As the women aged, he became an executor of their properties, managing finances free of charge.

During his tenure as director, he ushered the synagogue through a demographic shift. When he started the branch, the crowd was mostly older, retired. He encouraged younger members and families to join.

In his Capitol Hill congregation, Mr. Steinberg was known as a "tzadik" — a righteous person — and "moreinu" — teacher.

"He was a role model for the youth of our congregation — demonstrating the merits of visiting the sick, looking after the elderly and leading a spiritual life," said Barry Aaronson, a friend for 24 years.

That teaching spirit and quiet leadership had always been a part of Mr. Steinberg's demeanor, said daughter Sharlene Calvo of Bellevue.

"He was my rock," Calvo said, explaining that her father was a man of few words but telling deeds — like the time he drove her car to Los Angeles from Seattle so she could have it there.

Mr. Steinberg was born and grew up in Seattle, graduating from Garfield High School. He attended Yeshiva University in New York City before joining the U.S. Navy where he served in the Pacific and as Chief Master-at-Arms for the naval hospital in Seattle.

While there, he helped Jewish soldiers schedule their time so they could spend the holy days with family.

He met Gloria Lite on a blind date and the two were married three months later. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in January.

"There's not a person in this world who didn't love him," Gloria Steinberg said.

Along with his duties to the synagogue, he owned and operated three stores in Seattle: Burton Men's Shop, Jackson Street Clothing and Barney's Jewelry and Loan. The businesses didn't get in the way, however, of his dashing to Costco to buy refreshments for the kiddush — a time of fellowship and food after services. It was a chore he chose to take on himself.

"We've found that it's taken three or four younger members to perform the work that (Steinberg) performed in a singular way," Aaronson said.

Services were held Thursday at the Seattle Jewish Chapel of the Bikur Cholim.

Besides his wife and daughter, Mr. Steinberg is survived by his brother Morrie Steinberg of Seattle, son Barry Steinberg of Seattle, son-in-law Jack Calvo and three grandchildren: Aaron, Brian and Michael Calvo.

Remembrances in Mr. Steinberg's name can be made to the Kline Galland Home, Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath, Yeshiva High School or a charity of choice.

Aydrea Walden can be reached at 206-464-2342 or awalden@seattletimes.com.