Barbara Skydell Safran

Barbara Skydell-Safran, daughter of Harry and Rebeca Skydell, took charge of life with zest and joy. This arc took her from Ramaz to a PhD at Brandeis University, to building a beautiful family and home with her love and partner in life, Arthur and their son Jonathan.

The expansiveness of her spirit can be seen in the legion of devoted friends that were drawn into her orbit. Her vast breadth of heart reached beyond her immediate circles. While she never drew attention to it, her broad educational foundation was a natural segway to her focus on children and education. Barbara committed her talent and leadership to The Gann Academy, Camp Yavneh, Jewish Community Day School, chairing the CJP Board of Education, tutoring underprivileged students in Roxbury, in addition to her many other efforts. Being awarded a Wexner fellowship was a natural manifestation of Barbara’s achievements.

She has left an imprint on a broad community with both grace and heart that can only be admired.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 1:30pm at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. The service may be viewed via livestream at the following link: https://www.levinelive.com/barbarasafran

Burial will follow at Polonnoe Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA.