Michael Robinowitz

FUNERAL SERVICE: A graveside service will take place 2:30 pm on Monday, October 6 at Crest Lawn Memorial Park

STREAMING: Click HERE to stream the funeral service

SHIVA: Following the funeral, the community is welcome to participate in a shiva gathering at the home. Please enter by walking into the backyard. A mincha service will be held there at 4:45ish pm.

Given that the Sukkot holiday cancels the formal shiva process, the family will be welcoming friends at the house this Tuesday through Thursday from 5-7:30pm for what they are calling "Sukkat Aveilim," or the mourners sukkah, a tradition from Israel for the days following a shiva.

OBITUARY:

It is with sadness and love that we announce the passing of Dr. Michael Stephen Robinowitz, son of the late Norma Ralby (née Lipschitz, formerly Robinowitz) and Nathan Robinowitz (z”l), who died on Saturday, October 4, surrounded by his wife, Denise, and daughters, Anna and Natanya. He was 78 years old.

Michael was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Born and raised in front of the ocean on Miami Beach, among his grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, he made lifelong friends at the Hebrew Academy on Miami Beach, Mesivta High School, University of Miami, and Chicago Medical School. He had a long and varied career as an obstetrician/gynecologist and wound care doctor. He met his wife and lifelong partner, Denise McLaughlin, at Grady Hospital during his OB/GYN residency. With Denise, he spent 46 years raising a family, traveling, camping, and investing in and serving on the boards of various causes, including Planned Parenthood and the Horizon Theatre. Michael spent 40 years as a devoted member of Shearith Israel, and 21 years at his other spiritual homes, the East Lake and Decatur YMCAs, where he held court in the schvitz.

Michael was proud of having devoted his career to caring for people as a physician. He loved supporting people on their healing journeys, both physical and mental. He loved meeting people from all walks of life and hearing their stories. Michael loved music and the theater, jokes, hats, reading the New Yorker (and for some reason the Dressler obituaries), Jewish education, and Jewish living. Most of all, Michael spent his life loving people and being loved. He was a loyal friend, with pals from kindergarten and high school that he spoke with regularly and whom he adored.

Michael is survived by Denise, his children Anna Hartman and Natanya Robinowitz; son-in-law Michael Collins; grandchildren Josiah, Juniper, and Libby Hartman, and Isla and Dahlia Collins; and sister Sherry Balber. And a zillion cousins and several beloved nieces and nephews. Donations can be made to the Horizon Theatre Company or Congregation Shearith Israel and the East Lake YMCA.