jvalley.org | jewish community news

Jewish Community News

Obituaries: February 2007

Ronald S. Joelson, O.D.

Longtime community member Ronald Joelson, O.D. died on January 15, 2007. A respected optometrist and business man, Joelson was also extremely involved in the Jewish and greater community. He was a member and past president of the Cupertino Host Lions Club; past president of the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School and a supporter of numerous Jewish, civic and pro-Israel organizations.
He was a gregarious, positive, and forward-thinking person who moved comfortably in varied social circles, both Jewish and secular.
Ron cared deeply for his wife and was a devoted father who imparted values of self-reliance, tenacity, and a strong work ethic to his sons. Long before his battle with cancer, he began turning more fervently toward Judaism and frequently prayed at Chabad of S. Jose. Throughout his life, “everyone knew him for his devilish sense of humor,” said longtime family friend Janet Berg in her eulogy. “An evening with Ron always included a repertoire of jokes.”
He is survived by his wife Sarah Joelson, sons Ealon (Michal), Efrem (Allison) and Eddy (Hester) Joelson, and grandchildren Karryn, Talia, Ben, Isaac and Elisheva. He is the son of Anne Joelson and brother of Judy Smukler Joelson. Memorial contributions may be made to Cupertino Host Lions Club, Chabad of S. Jose, Heartland Hospice, or Hadassah.

Charles “Chuck” Sabes

More than 1500 family members and friends paid tribute at services for Charles “Chuck” Sabes after he unexpectedly passed away on December 25, 2006 in San Jose, Costa Rica, while on a family vacation.
Chuck was devoted to his wife and college sweetheart, Robin, and a loving father to their children Ilana, Michael, Elisa, Rachel and Nicole.
After graduating from Berkeley and Santa Clara University Law School, Chuck worked for the U.S. tax court in Washington, D.C. and then practiced law for many years in San Jose helping innumerable clients and friends.
His pride and joy was his family. Chuck seldom missed attending his children’s sports and school activities, and coached many of their teams. For many years he would turn his home into a haunted house during Halloween for the community to enjoy, and in doing so raised funds for the schools.
Chuck was an active member of the Saratoga High School Boosters club, and was instrumental in getting the sports fields refurbished and stadium lighting installed at the school.
He was active for many years at Congregation Beth David, the Jewish Community Center, the Wexner Group, and several other charitable organizations. He believed in giving back to the community and did a lot of pro bono work for many charities including the Pat Tilman Foundation.
Chuck was personable, warm, loving, with a wonderful sense of humor. His family and a multitude of friends will miss him.
Chuck leaves behind siblings Mike, Myron and Ruth, sisters-in-law Susan Sabes and Alana Addison, brother-in-law Steve Addison, Robin’s parents Arnie and Cookie Addison, nieces and nephews, Tracy, Diana, Sylvia, David, Amy, Liz, Heidi, Katy, and many children of nieces and nephews. Chuck’s parents Irene and Irving Sabes predeceased him.
Donations can be made in his memory to Congregation Beth David in Saratoga, the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley or the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos.

David Malnick
Integrity, generosity, and kindness were hallmark qualities of the Los Altos personal injury attorney David Malnick who died unexpectedly New Year’s Day while on vacation with his family in Peru. He was 62.
Born March 26, 1944, in Piedmont, California, Malnick was a graduate of the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law and American University in Washington, D.C.
Though his legal practice spanned more than 30 years, he never wearied of advocating for the trauma victims who sought his assistance. He became an expert in the area of closed head injury, writing articles and lecturing at law schools including Santa Clara University, Stanford University, and Kazakhstan State National University. He kept to himself his occasional choice to reduce his own legal fees so that his injured clients would net larger awards.
Past president of the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association, Malnick had served as a judge pro tem, mediator, and arbitrator in Santa Clara County since 1980.
Malnick served a quarter century on the board of directors of the American Technion Society, taking students from Israel’s technology institute under his wing and into his home when they came to pursue internship opportunities with Silicon Valley firms. Many became life-long family friends.
An active member of Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, Malnick was so inspired by Saturday morning Torah study that he set out to learn Hebrew as an adult. His love of learning spanned the secular as well: he read three newspapers cover-to-cover each morning to develop well-informed views on current affairs.
Happiest when sailing the San Francisco Bay on his beloved “Jury Rig,” walking his dogs Max and Molly, and spending time with his family, David told his wife Carol and daughter Meredith on New Year’s Eve that the week they’d just spent in the Galapagos was the best week of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Carol and daughter, Meredith of Los Altos; his mother, Edith Malnick, of Piedmont; a brother, Warren, of Walnut Creek; and a brother, Joel, of State College, PA. Services were held for Sunday, Jan. 7 at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Congregation Beth Am’s Youth Education, Camp, and Israel Scholarship Fund or to the American Technion Society, 870 Market Street #800, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Doris Edith Siders
Doris Edith Siders, beloved wife and mother, passed away September 27, 2006 at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View after enduring a long and painful struggle with lung cancer. She was born in Boston on April 7, 1941. She enjoyed playing the piano and befriending animals, and occasionally, her husband’s sense of humor. She derived joy from life’s simple pleasures. Doris possessed a quiet wisdom beyond her years and taught her husband and sons patience and kindness. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 42 years, Larry Siders, and sons, Jeremy and Jonathan.

Obituary Submissions

If you have news to include in this column, please contact Cecily Ruttenberg. You can call Cecily at (408) 357-7505.

News

Information

OpenCube Drop Down Menu (www.opencube.com)