Bernard H. (Bernie) Sirkin, longtime supporter and participant in Jewish educational programs, board member of the Central Agency for Jewish Education, and active member of Congregation B’nai El, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007 after a brief illness. He was 78 years old and a resident of Creve Coeur at the time of his passing. Hundreds of family members, friends and associates of Mr. Sirkin filled the sanctuary of Congregation B’nai El for his funeral service, at which Rabbi Daniel Plotkin of B’nai El and Rabbi Ephraim Zimand of Traditional Congregation joined in paying tribute to Mr. Sirkin for his strong support of Jewish education and his congregation, for his kindess and for his love of life, family and community.

A longtime partner at the accounting firm of Rubin Brown, Mr. Sirkin was born on Jan. 14, 1929. He was married to his wife Gloria for 56 years. “Bernard was the most ethical, fair, kind and decent man I have ever known,” said his son-in-law Andy Weigley at the funeral service. He quoted Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation as saying of Mr. Sirkin, “I think of Bernie Sirkin as being kind and wise and so loving. I always see in his eyes, his love of you. I am sure you will all agree that he lived his life by those words in his Ethical Will, urging us to always be loving, to be charitable, to give tzedakah and to make people happy,” Andy Weigley added.

In his remarks, Rabbi Daniel Plotkin of B’nai El recalled the words of Job. “In his sorrow, Job cried out, ‘The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. With Job, we say, God has given us Bernie Sirkin, who has been taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Rabbi Ephraim Zimand, longtime teacher of the Pirke Avot (Wisdom of the Fathers) for the Central Agency for Jewish Education, where Bernard and Gloria Sirkin were among his students for l2 years, said, “Blessed is the man who never follows the advice of the wicked, who delights in Torah, day and night. He prsopers in all he undertakes. It is not so with the wicked, nor with the sinners. I have read this Psalm many times at funerals, but never has it been more meaningful than today. My friends Bernie, Beryl, day and night thought of Torah. Twelve years ago, I started teaching a class on the Pirke Avot, the Wisdom of the Sages, and Benard and Gloria, Beryl and Gitel were among the first students. I will miss Beryl personally; I have not yet gotten used to the fact that he will not be in the class….Beryl wore the Crown of Torah; he was a great guy and a fine person. Your presence here is an indication of your respect and friendship for Bernie who wore the Crown of Shem Tove. I will miss him.”

Daniel Kram, one of Mr. Sirkin’s grandsons, also offered words of tribute at the funeral service.

“Some 22 milestones have passed in my life, and Bernard Sirkin, my Grandfather played a major part in every one of them. He taught me the wisdom of savings and investment and kindled my interest in philately, including collecting both U.S. and Israeli stamps. Mostly, I will remember and try to honor his kindness; he wanted me to succeed and always encouraged me. I will honor him by succeeding and passing on his kindness.”

Mr. Sirkin was also remembered for being a devoted fan of Fantasy Football. “Bernie was a real football nut and founded the National Cousins League of Fantasy Football,” recalled Andy Weigley, who pointed out that Sirkin’s daughter, Nancy Weigley “made Bernie proud when she was coordinator of the Senior Olympics.”

Rabbi Plotkin added, “Bernie was a kind person, giving and caring and always looking to elicit a laugh or a smile. He served on the CAJE board locally, and loved to study many topics in Jewish learning. He was intelligent and very effective, having graduated first in his class at Washington University. When he married Gloria, his beloved wife of 56 years, he became part of the Wishnuff family. In the end, he was in control of himself, facing death with dignity. With so many of you here to pay tribute to Bernie, he would have been surprised at all the fuss. To Gloria and his entire family, we extend our deepest sympathies.”

Survivors include his wife, Gloria Sirkin; daughters Linda (Richard) Kram and Nancy Weigley (Andy) and son Michael Sirkin, of Los Angeles. He was the grandfather of Karin Kram and Daniel Kram, Samuel Weigley and Eli Weigley.

Mr. Sirkin was brother and brother-in-law of the late Katie (the late Isadore) Berger and the late Joe (Sylvia) Sirkin; brother-in-law of the late Anne (the late Morris) Disner and the late Henry (Esther) Wishnuff.

Following the funeral at B’nai El, burial was at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery.

Memorial contributions preferred to B’nai El Congregation, 11411 North Outer 40 Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63l3l, or the Central Agency for Jewish Education, 12 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63l46.