Many people in the community are mourning the death of Lynne Sturt Weintraub, who died after a brief illness on April 23 at her home in the Fairfax District.

Lynne Sturt Weintraub was well known in the Wilshire community. (photo courtesy of Judy Sturt Hollander)

Weintraub was president of the Temple Beth Zion on Olympic Boulevard, and was formerly a member of the clergy council for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division. She lived in the local area for most of her life, according to her sister, Judy Sturt Hollander, and attended Wilshire Crest Elementary School, John Burroughs Middle School and Los Angeles High School.

“She was one of the few people who could say she was a true Angeleno,” Judy Sturt Hollander said.

Ralph Weintraub, Lynne’s husband, is the rabbi at Temple Beth Zion. Both Judy and her husband, Ed Hollander, said the family plans to continue working to improve the temple, which they added is in a period of transition after Lynne’s death. Both said Lynne is missed deeply by the family and the many people in the community who knew her. She was heavily involved in the temple’s day-to-day operations, as well as planning for the High Holy Days and other special events.

“She was basically doing everything,” Ed Hollander said. “She played a major role by calling everyone and making sure people were coming to services. She loved everybody, and would do anything for anybody.”

Judy said one of Lynne’s best attributes was helping others, which she often did before taking care of herself. She was a caretaker for several friends and members of the congregation. In addition, Lynne was a member of Hadassah, a volunteer organization that provides support for Israel, and was previously a member of the organization’s board. Judy added that Lynne was always looking for new ways to help people, and would search for hours for information that could assist people personally and professionally. Lynne previously represented the Jewish community on the police clergy council, a group that works with the police department to identify the needs of different religious faiths.

“When they needed things, they like others, turned to Lynne to find out how they could get it at the best price, or more likely than not with Lynne, to get it for nothing,” Judy said. “Lynne was a great fundraiser, and had a knack for getting people to donate money, time and goods without them realizing what they were committing to until it was over.”

Ed Hollander added that Lynne was very likable, and had a good sense of humor.

“If you talked to her once, you became her friend,” he added. “She was extremely caring.”

Judy added that towards the end of her life, Lynne had been working to ensure the temple remained strong. There is currently approximately 150 members of the congregation, and Hollander said the family will continue to work in Lynne’s name to keep the temple viable. For information, call (323)933-9136, or visit www.templebethzionla.org.

In addition to her husband, Ralph, and sister, Judy, Lynne is survived by her brother, Richard Sturt, his wife Uni, and their family.