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Professor William Safran (Betzalel Ze’ev ben haRav Avraham Yehoshua v’Golda) passed away in California on January 22, 2026.
Bill and his wife Marian lived in Boulder for decades before their family moved them to California as their health declined. Bill was born in 1930 and at 95 years old is one of our last Holocaust survivors. He was a renowned professor of political science at CU and taught a series of classes about European Jewry at Bonai Shalom. Bill and Marian were very active in Bonai Shalom and much loved. Bill was a devoted father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many. Bill will be buried in Boulder as were his wishes.
The memorial and burial will be on Sunday 25th January
9am – Memorial service at Greenwood and Myers Mortuary
2969 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303
10am – Burial at Green Mountain Cemetery
290 20th Street, Boulder, CO 80302
The family will begin shiva in Boulder and return to California to complete it.
Sunday 25th
4-7pm – visitation, 6pm maariv service and sharing
At the home of Melinda Kassen and Bill Goelz, the Safrans former neighbors
2350 Balsam Drive, Boulder, 80301
Please be prepared to remove shoes when you arrive and car pool if you can as there is limited street parking available.
Feel free to bring appropriate food to the shiva home.
Monday 26th at Bonai Shalom
5.30pm – visitation/gathering in Bonai’s social hall
6.30pm – Maariv and sharing in the sanctuary
Please call or text Caron Robinson on 214 923 0593 if you are able to help with food.
Anyone wishing to give tzedakah in Bill’s memory, the family suggests HIAS or a charity of your choice.
Bill is survived by Marion, his wife of almost 65 years, who sadly is not able to travel; children Gabriella Safran (Michael Kahan) and Joshua Safran; granddaughters Frieda and Eva Kahan and Eva’s fiancee Isaac Zukin.
Shalom on the neshama of Betzalel Ze’ev ben haRav Avraham Yehoshua v’Golda.
May Bill’s memory be a blessing.
Hamakom y’nachem – strength and comfort to all the mourners.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Marc
