Jaffee, June

1930 - 2016  (85 years)

• Name	Jaffee, June  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
  Born	8 May 1930	Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, USA   [1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9]
  Gender	Female
  Died	1 Jan 2016  [3]
  Buried	Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, USA   [3]
  Person ID	I18823	Our Family
  Last Modified	16 Jan 2024

  
  

  Family	Burgin, Dr. Leonard A.,   b. 7 Feb 1927, Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, USA ,   d. 12 Feb 2011, Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, USA  (Age 84 years)
  Married	31 May 1953	Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, USA   [3, 9, 10]
  Children	1. Burgin, Seth L. + 2. Burgin, Lynn Gail + 3. Burgin, Lester Jay   4. Burgin, Cynthia Rosa
  Last Modified	16 Jan 2024
  Family ID	F5739	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  June Jaffe Burgin was born on May 8, 1930 to Rosa Shor Jaffe and Lester A. Jaffe in Cincinnati, Ohio. June grew up in Cincinnati, first in North Avondale and later in Amberley Village and then Blue Ash. She graduated Walnut Hills High School in 1947. After graduating from Connecticut College in New London, CT in 1951 with a degree in Economics she returned to Cincinnati and worked in the Gastric Lab at what was then General Hospital (now University of Cincinnati Hospital). While working at the Gastric Lab June met her future husband, Dr. Leonard A. Burgin. They were married on May 31, 1953 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her husband's training took them to Boston, MA, Durham, NC and then to Tacoma, WA where he served as Captain in the Medical Corps at Madigan Army Hospital, Fort Lewis; they returned to Cincinnati in 1958. June was devoted to her family and to the Jewish community of Cincinnati. It helped that she was an early riser and super organized. Her husband said, "June got more done by 9:00 am than most people did all day." The Burgin's were a family that spent a lot of time together. Whether it was for Jewish holidays, the Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl parties or fireworks on the Fourth of July, family time was always important. June made it a priority to attend Bar and Bat Mitzvah's, weddings, and graduations for her far flung family. More so, she was able to instill in her children and extended family that family was important. June was a pioneer in the Cincinnati Jewish community. She followed in the footsteps of her father, Lester A. Jaffe, as President of JCRC. This role highlighted her interest in religion, current events, and community. June was also the first woman president of Isaac M. Wise Temple. Her focus was on the "hard work" behind the scenes that was needed to help Wise Temple reach its potential. Plum Street Temple held a special place for her and she worked hard to make sure that its finances were sound and that it would remain a special place for future generations. One of the highlights of each year was when she took her place on the Bima at Plum Street Temple for Kol Nidre services with other Past Presidents of the congregation. She proudly held her Torah while Kol Nidre was recited. In both leadership roles she served as a role model for many women. Prior to her serving as President of Isaac M. Wise Temple she served as the President of the Sisterhood. She was also active with Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati and served as a member of its board of directors. Rabbi Lewis Kamrass, Senior Rabbi at Isaac M. Wise Temple said "June Burgin was a leader of highest integrity, deep strength, and deep devotion to our congregation and our community, as President of both Wise Temple and the JCRC. As the first female president of our congregation over 35 years ago, June guided our congregation through a time of transition and was relied upon by other leaders as a tower of steadfast strength, insight and wisdom. June easily discerned what was necessary and possessed the natural pragmatism to implement that vision. We are all richer at Wise Temple and in the larger Jewish community for her legacy of leadership and devotion. And it is those same characteristics by which she guided her family with deep love." In addition to her community work and her family, June had a wide range of interests. She loved to read and kept up with the daily New York Times and the weekly issue of the American Israelite. She travelled widely with her husband around the world and with her family on many trips within the United States. She was an avid bridge player since her college days. June was a power walker, often spending early morning time with her friends or family. She was a sports fan of the Bengals, Reds, Michigan, and the UC Bearcats. June passed away at the age of 85 on January 1, 2016. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Dr. Leonard A. Burgin. She is survived by her children: Lester (Margie) Burgin, Cynthia Burgin, Seth Burgin of Cincinnati, OH and Lynn (Stuart Goldstein) Burgin of Portland, Oregon; her grandchildren: Andrew and Douglas Goldstein, Leah, Emma and Jay Burgin; her brother: Dr. Murray Jaffe of Cincinnati, OH; her sister: Nina Gruen of San Francisco, CA. June's funeral took place on January 5, 2016 at Weil Funeral Home with Rabbi Karen Thomashow officiating. Interment took place at United Jewish Cemetery in Walnut Hills. Contributions in her memory may be made to Isaac M. Wise Temple and Plum Street Historic Preservation Fund.

  
  

• Sources

  [S3] U.S. Public Records Index, Ancestry.com, (Name: Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007;). [S34] Ohio, Birth Index, 1908-1964, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;). [S15] Obituary, for June. [S1796] Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati, jcemcin.org. [S30] US Public Records Index. [S30] US Public Records Index. middle initial [S30] US Public Records Index. middle name [S239] Original Import into Legacy. [S661] Ohio County Marriages. [S15] Obituary, for Leonard.