St. Petersburg Times (FL) -
September 3, 2005
Author: SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Mike Eisenstadt, the longtime spirited host of the Sunday
Simcha show on WMNF and a well-known activist in Tampa Bay's Jewish community,
died Friday after a battle with lung cancer. He was 54.
Eisenstadt not only hosted the Sunday Simcha show, but he also led the Mike
Eisenstadt Band in performances at bar mitzvahs and weddings all over
west-central Florida and, for the last five years, was the director of the
Jewish Community Relations Council for the Tampa JCC/Federation following 20
years of volunteer service.
"He was an incredible force in this community," said Cathy Gardner,
an executive assistant at Tampa JCC/Federation (which stands for Jewish
Community Center).
"Mike was full of life, and he has a presence and a breadth and depth in
this community," she said. "In the Jewish community, I don't think
there was anybody who didn't know Mike. And in the general community, he
touched so many lives through his Israel advocacy and political activism."
With Debbi, his wife of 32 years, at his side, he led tours to Israel, she
said.
"He loved the people and the culture and the music," she said.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Mark and Keith Eisenstadt; his mother,
Dorothy Eisenstadt; a brother, Carl Eisenstadt; and his mother-in-law, Joyce
Weissman.
Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Congregation Kol-Ami, 3919 Moran
Road, Tampa. Rabbi Joel Wasser will officiate. Interment will follow at Gan
Shalom Cemetery , County Line Road, Tampa.
Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Kol-Ami, LifePath
Hospice, the Jewish National Fund or the Caring Bridge at www.caringbridge.org.
Arrangements are being handled by Segal Funeral Home Beth David Chapel.
EISENSTADT, Michael Ross, 54, of Tampa, passed away Friday,
September 2, 2005, surrounded by his loving family. Michael was an active and
beloved member of Tampa's Jewish community. He was best known for his musical
talents and as leader of The Mike Eisenstadt Band and host of the WMNF Radio
Show "The Sunday Simcha." He is survived by his devoted and loving
wife of 32 years, Debbi; two sons, Mark and Keith Eisenstadt; mother, Dorothy
Eisenstadt; brother, Carl Eisenstadt; and mother-in-law, Joyce Weissman.
Funeral services are pending for Sunday, September 4, 2005, at Congregation
Kol-Ami, 3919 Moran Road, Tampa. Rabbi Joel Wasser will officiate. Interment
will follow at Gan Shalom Cemetery , County Line Road, Tampa.
Please call the funeral home at (813) 874-3330 or Congregation Kol-Ami at (813)
962-6338 for time of service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to
Congregation Kol-Ami, LifePath Hospice, The Jewish National Fund or to The
Caring Bridge at www.caringbridge.org.
Segal Funeral Home
Beth David Chapel
813-874-3330