Lillian Freehof left her stories.
She took the tales of Moses, Solomon and Old Testament prophets and gave them to young children, wrapping them in a language they could relate to.
"That was her gift," said Rabbi Walter Jacob, a friend for 40 years and a retired leader at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Shadyside.
Mrs. Freehof, an author of more than 20 books, died at her Oakland home on Wednesday. She was 98.
Her stories went in two directions. She wrote of Jewish legends for third- and fourth-graders and for older teens, she wrote a popular text, "The Right Way," to help guide their moral development.
She wrote the book in the 1960s and it was used nationally in Jewish religious schools for dozens of years.
Mrs. Freehof was born Lillian Simon in Chicago. She married Rabbi Solomon Freehof in 1934, after working as his secretary.
Soon afterward, the couple came to Pittsburgh when her husband was named senior rabbi at Rodef Shalom , one of Pennsylvania's largest Jewish Reform congregations. He built an international reputation for his interpretation of Jewish law. He died 14 years ago.
Once in town, Mrs. Freehof finished her studies, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of arts degree in English.
At Rodef Shalom, Mrs. Freehof was popular and outgoing. She had no children of her own but knew everybody and their families.
In the 1930s, she started a Braille program at Rodef Shalom that became a national model used in the Federation of the Temple Sisterhoods to help the blind.
An avid reader, she enjoyed theater and served on the Playhouse Board and even wrote a few one-act plays.
She served with the United Jewish Federation, and other charitable groups, and on the national board of the Federation of Temple Sisterhoods.
Graveside services will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. at West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Contributions may be made to the Solomon B. Freehof Endowment Fund, c/o Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh 15213.
First Published: November 27, 2004, 5:00 a.m.
