Jewish Community News

Simchas: February 2004

by Donna Frankel

We are pleased to announce Births, B'nai Mitzvahs, Engagements, Marriages, and Happy Events.

BABY NEWS

Sharona & Yehuda Kohanteb of San Jose happily announce the birth of their third child, Yael Sarah, who arrived August 4, much to the delight of her sister Talya and brother Yaeir. Proud grandparents are Esther Kohanteb of San Jose and Esther & Nisim Golsiez of Los Angeles. The baby is also the granddaughter of the late Yechezkel Kohanteb and was named at Am Echad on the Shabbat following her birth.

APJCC President Ruth Fletcher & her husband Michael Fletcher are proud to announce the birth of their third son Max Isaac, born November 17. Max is joined by his loud and loving big brothers, Alex, age 8, and Noah, age six, both students at Yavneh. Max makes it an even dozen for grandparents Myra Reinhard and Eli Reinhard, as Max is their twelfth grandchild! Max is the third grandchild of Harold Fletcher of San Jose and Linda & Sonny Gates of West Palm Beach, FL.

Avidan & Ilanit Shenhav of Jerusalem, Israel, are pleased to announce the birth of their first child, a son Dov Baer, born on Nov. 29. The baby's proud grandparents are Chaim Shenhav of San Jose & his wife Susan Shenhav, Rivka Shenhav of Saratoga & her spouse Renata Zaliznyak and David & Louise Gordon of London, England. The happy local aunts and uncle are Dikla, Na'ama and Amitai Shenhav.

Margaret & Keith Bierman of San Jose, are thrilled to announce the birth of their first born, a son, Jerry Sandor on Dec. 6. The proud grandparents are Marilynn Bierman of Los Angeles and Carol & Richard Sandor of Stamford, CT. The baby, named for his late grandfather Gerald Bierman, received his Hebrew name, Yakov ben Chaim Koppel-Heshel ben Yacov ben Shmuel ben Avraham HaLevi at the bris. Rabbi Alan Berkowitz and Mohel Chanan Feld officiated.

Maureen & Sandy Ellenberg of San Jose happily announce the birth of their fifth grandchild, Eden Jane Ellenberg who was born Dec. 16 to Kris & Gary Ellenberg of Venice Beach, CA. The new big sister is Lola June who is nearly 3. Bill Gilbert of Burbank is a proud grandfather. Eden is also the granddaughter of the late Lola Gilbert. The baby is named for her late great-aunt, Alice Aronow. Eden looks forwarding to meeting her extended family in the San Jose area including her aunt & uncle Susan & Steven Ellenberg of San Jose and first cousins, Zachary, Molly and Naava Ellenberg.

CALLED TO THE TORAH:

Elizabeth Ariel Burdman, daughter of Debra & Scott Burdman of San Jose, was called up to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on Nov. 29. Proud grandfather, Herman (Hy) Burdman, gave Beth her Talit at a presentation that took place during the services at Shir Hadash. Beth's older sister Suzie Burdman and their grandmothers, Phyllis Burdman and Hadassah Rosen, and great-uncle Harry Burd, were in attendance.

Hallie Deanna Altshuler, granddaughter of Ed and Ellie Kiss of San Jose and Bob and Shirley Altshuler of Anaheim Hills was called to the Torah at Temple Beth Sholom of Orange County on Oct. 11. Hallie is the daughter of Jeff and Amy Altshuler and the sister of proud brother, Jake. For her mitzvah project Hallie worked in the library reading at story hour and doing numerous other jobs. She especially liked reading to the children and they hoped she would be back again soon.

ENGAGEMENTS

Ginny & Manny Siegler of San Jose are happy to announce the engagement of their son Rick to Deena Graziano of Capitola. Deena is the daughter of Adena Reynolds of Pacific Grove and Mr. Graziano of NY. The couple met at Friday night services at Temple Beth El in Aptos in October of 2002. Deena is an administrator in the contracts dept. of Granite Construction Co. Rick most recently worked for Epic Wines representing the company. Rick's family has been members of Temple Emanu-El in San Jose for 46 years.

WEDDINGS:

Dalia & Dr. Alvin Milgram of San Jose happily announce the marriage of their eldest son Dan to Miriam Horowitz, daughter of Pnina and Cantor Isaac Horowitz of Cherry Hill, NJ. Dan, a U.C. Berkeley graduate in economics and political science is studying to be a rabbi in Yeshiva Madregot HaAdam in Queens, NY. He is also working in commercial realty in NYC. Miriam received an advanced degree in occupational therapy and works in NY as an occupational therapist. The wedding took place on September 18 in Brooklyn, NY. The newly wed couple is residing in Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY.

MAZEL TOV:

Jonathan Sorger, son of Ann & Joseph Sorger, just returned from Vienna, Austria, where he accepted the European Society of Cardiology's Young Investigator Award for his pioneering research at the NIH in cardiac muscle regeneration using stem cells. He graduated in Dec. with an MBA and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Jonathan & his wife, Nicole, an educator at the Bentley School, plan to settle in the East Bay.

Lorraine Actor of Santa Clara who turned 80 on Dec. 20, celebrated with a dinner party at the Caper's restaurant in Campbell on Jan. 3. All four of Lorraine's children: Roberta Actor-Thomas with husband John, their daughter Rachel and son Corey of Tujunga, CA; Steve Actor & his wife Nancy Ratner with their two dogs all from Juneau, Alaska; Patrick Actor of Campbell and Gale & Mark Cahn with their daughter Tzvia and son Omri of San Jose arrived for the simcha. Lorraine's brother, Pat Johnson of Goshen, IN, and sister, Shirley & her husband Nick Nicholson of Knoxsville, TN, and Lorraine's Machetunim (daughter's in-laws) Ruth & Dr. Mike Cahn of Willow Glen were among the guests. The family, along with assorted nieces, nephews and cousin, partied all weekend with several dinners and get-togethers.

Shira Yomtoubian, daughter of Orna & Ruben Yomtoubian was selected by "People to People" to be a Student Ambassador. President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded this organization in 1963. The purpose of People to People is to bring the ideal of international understanding and education to life at a local level. Shira will be traveling this summer to New Zealand and Australia as a youth ambassador from Silicon Valley.