Jeff Goldstein

Madison - Rev. Jeff W. Goldstein, age 80, son of Nathan and Florence (Suskin) Goldstein passed away peacefully on 10/19/15. Jeff attended New York City public schools, and graduated from the University Wisconsin-Madison. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Jeff was a postal worker for 14 years, much of that as a mail carrier.

Jeff's lifelong desire was for social justice. In the 1960's after Fannie Lou Hamer's 1964 Democratic National Convention speech, Jeff and his wife, Sarah, through Madison Measure for Measure, assisted the Mississippi Delta grassroots movement. In 1975 Jeff brought 6 tons of food to the Menominee Reservation. He had approached Madison friends and food co-ops. He was respected and trusted by the young Warriors.

Jeff was generous and giving. He knew how to connect people. Jeff & Sarah's home was always a safe refuge with soup on the stove. When he wasn't driving families to Waupun Prison to see their sons, he was fixing cars and connecting people to jobs. He and Sarah officiated at many weddings and memorial services including some held in the Waupun Maximum Security Prison. Most importantly for many, the Rev. helped with arrangements and food for the ceremonies of Native persons in that prison.

Rev. Jeff walked lightly on the Earth. He loved to be with nature. He loved to swim in the Madison lakes. He felt free riding his bike from one end of town to the other. He loved bird-watching. He always enjoyed traveling, and drove all over the U.S, Canada, and Mexico. One of his proudest accomplishments was joining a caravan in 1992 with the Pastors for Peace who traveled to Cuba with food and medical supplies. They met with Fidel Castro, who congratulated them for defying the embargo.

Jeff's sense of humor was ever-present. He was a powerful speaker and a gifted writer. He spent several years contributor to the Edge newspaper. Jeff was either charming or alarming to those he met. He was a devoted caretaker of "his man" Trevor. Anyone who met him, will remember his forceful presence.

In addition to his loving wife of 58 years, Sarah (Perry), Jeff is survived by his brother Steve, daughter, Julie, son, Dan, son-in-law Kenneth and grandchildren Francesca and Kendell. Jeff was predeceased by his parents, brother Frederick, and son, Seth. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial gathering will be held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 605 Spruce St, Madison on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Potluck dinner to follow and all are welcome.