Dr. Rosalie (Haiblum) Smith, age 77, died Thursday, September 29, 2011, at her home in West Hartford with family by her side.  Rosalie was the daughter of Sadie (Meyer) and Benjamin D. Haiblum, a leader in Jewish and cultural life in Brooklyn, New York.  On the vanguard of feminist achievers, Dr. Smith seized the far-reaching opportunities open to women of intelligence, drive and heart. In 1976, Rosalie founded Dynamic Communication Training & Consulting to train professionals in public speaking, interviewing, and management skills.  She authored the book, “How to Talk Your Way to a Better Job,” and the audio book, “Improving Spoken American English.”  Certified as a speech-language pathologist, her work on minimizing foreign and regional accents was once featured in the New York Times.
Dr. Smith earned a doctoral degree in Adult and Continuing Education from Columbia University in 1986.  She had previously earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree (cum laude; 1953) from Brooklyn College.  She had been a professor of communications at the University of Hartford, where she established the speech clinic and directed the Readers Theater touring group.  Later, Dr. Smith was an adjunct instructor at the University of Connecticut Health Center.
Rosalie had a strong commitment to community work, serving as president of many organizations over the years: Greater Hartford Auxiliary of the American Cancer Society, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Jewish Children’s Service Organization and Asa Chapter of B’nai B’rith Women.
Dr. Smith was a charter member of the Hartford Women’s Network and also served as chair of the professional development committee for Women in Management in Fairfield County.  She was co-chair of the American Cancer Society’s first annual “Fantasy Ball” in Hartford in 1989.  She also chaired the public relations committee for the Hartt School of Music’s “Encore” event at the University of Hartford in 1995.  She served on the boards of the Greenberg Institute at the University of Hartford and the Capital Community College Foundation.  A member of The Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford, she served on its Board of Trustees.
Rosalie was devoted to a number of Jewish organizations and programs.  She helped establish the Solomon Schechter Day School in West Hartford, laying a foundation for Jewish education in the community.  At Emanuel Synagogue, she chaired the adult education committee.  She also served on the board of the Jewish Children’s Service Organization.   For many years, she was a member of the screening committee for the Hartford Jewish Film Festival.  As a past chair of State of Israel Bonds-Greater Hartford Women’s Division, she was honored as a “Woman of Valor.”
Dr. Smith traveled widely with her beloved husband, Jay, in their decades together. In Lausanne, Switzerland, as a young mother, she studied fine hand-painted porcelain and later created and sold many of her pieces stateside.
Rosalie died after a brave, sustained stand against cancer.  She leaves behind her loving husband of 58 years, Dr. Jay Donald Smith; daughter, Andria Smith, her husband Edward Cassorla, and their daughters Michelle and Lori (Newton, MA); son Eric Smith, his wife Sheryl, and their children Rachel and Brandon (Merrick, NY); son Ira Smith, his wife Dorothy Rogers, and their daughter Alma (Montclair, NJ).  Rosalie is survived by her sisters, Ethel Waldman (Boca Raton, Florida) and Carolyn Chernoff (Delray Beach, Florida).  She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.
The family extends deep gratitude to Iris Gray, CNA, for her compassionate care during Rosalie’s illness.  They also give heartfelt thanks to the dedicated nursing staff of Hebrew Home Hospice Care for their support. A funeral service was held at noon on Monday, October 3 at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, with Rabbi David Small and Cantor Sanford Cohn officiating, with interment at the Emanuel Cemetery, 1361 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield.  Following interment, the family returned to Emanuel Synagogue to receive friends and loved ones.  Funeral arrangements were provided by the Hebrew Funeral Association of West Hartford.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Smith’s memory may be made to the Rosalie and Jay D. Smith Family Fund at The Emanuel Synagogue of West Hartford, to the American Cancer Society, or to a charity of choice.