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Jewish Community News
JCN: March 2007
Women of Distinction
The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley Women’s Philanthropy held
its 24th annual Women of Distinction Ceremony at the Connections 2007
Tea on March 11, at the Fairmont Hotel’s Imperial Ballroom in San
Jose. Fifteen women and seven teens were honored for their exemplary service
to Jewish life in the Silicon Valley.
“Our Women of Distinction give us confidence that our community
will thrive as they continue our legacy of tzedakah practicing justice
and filling the world with loving kindness,” says Ginny Baird, chair
of Connections 2007.
YOUNG WOMEN OF
DISTINCTION
Annie Martino, Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center
Annie has been with the APJCC camps for the past eight years, first as
a camper and last year as a leader-in-training/counselor. She has also
been a regular in JCC after-school programs. Last December she was part
of the APJCC’s first multi-generational community theatre production
“Beauty and the Beast”. Annie is a regular volunteer at APJCC
programs and events.
Dina Varshavsky, B’nai B’rith Youth
Organization, Central
Region West
Dina Varshavsky was born in Kishinev, Moldova. Her family immigrated to
the United States when she was ten months old. B’nai B’rith
Youth Organization (BBYO) has given Dina the chance to explore her Judaism
freely. She is an active member of Atz’ Chaim B’nai B’rith
Girls, a chapter of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and
recently served as vice president of the chapter.
Adara Beamesderfer,
Congregation Shir Hadash
Congregation Shir Hadash has benefited from Adara Beamesderfer’s
willingness to put her heart and soul into every activity she takes on.
In ninth grade, Adara joined the women who met weekly in the Shir Hadash
foyer to make blankets for Warm Up America Shir Hadash and soon became
the co-chair. The past two years, Adara has been the religious and cultural
vice president of the Shir Hadash high school youth group.
Stacey Newman, Congregation Beth David
Stacey attends Hebrew High School at Congregation Beth David, where she
attended religious school and became a Bat Mitzvah. She has actively participated
in the synagogue’s youth groups, serving first on the Senior Kadima
board, then as freshman she was a representative on the United Synagogue
Youth (USY) board. She has also been the USY membership vice president
and is currently the USY co-president.
Anna Goldberg,
Congregation Sinai
Anna’s infectious enthusiasm and limitless energy have enhanced
everything in which she’s been involved at Sinai – from helping
to lead Adon Olam as a little girl, to sharing her experiences visiting
with the Abayudaya Jewish community of Uganda, to helping organize the
Purim carnival. Anna can often be found helping with Junior Congregation
or leading a Kadima event, where younger congregants look up to her as
a friend and role model. Anna also represents Sinai at regional and national
USY events.
Maya Perelman, Kehillah Jewish High School
Maya is a senior at Kehillah, having played on the school’s soccer
team and performed in five Kehillah drama productions. For two years,
she was a part of Kehillah’s student government and currently is
the co-editor of the yearbook and a coordinator of the STAND social action
group, which engages students in social activism. Maya is currently the
Israel affairs vice president of the Beth David USY chapter, and is planning
to co-chair a regional convention this spring.
Jordana Lilly, Temple Emanu-El
Jordana is a seventh grade student at Cupertino Middle School. She attends
the Temple Emanu-El Religious School where she enjoys attending and leading
minyan services and participating in the Nature Shabbat program. Once
a month, Jordana and her family spend Shabbat at a local senior center.
For her bat mitzvah project, Jordana organized an art auction and bake
sale where she raised over $8,000 to benefit the Save the Children of
Sudan fund.
WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
Cheryl Bordy, Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center
(APJCC)
Cheryl moved to the Silicon Valley in July 2004 with her husband Hal,
CEO of the APJCC. It took no time before she was fully involved in the
community both professionally and through volunteerism. Cheryl has more
than a 35-year career as a speech pathologist in which she has developed
a reputation for her intensive work with special needs children and, especially,
her work with autism. Cheryl has worked tirelessly developing the APJCC’s
multi-generational community theatre. Over 2500 were entertained by this
year's production of “The Wizard of Oz”. Cheryl also serves
on the Board of Directors of the Hillel Foundation.
Marjorie Margulies, Chai House
Within a month of moving into the Chai House with her husband Issy, Marjorie
was enlisted to plan and host a huge New Year’s bash for the Chai
House. Only one month later, she was unanimously elected as president
of the Tenants Council—presiding over activities for the hundred-plus
residents. The residents were amazed that a ninety-year-old, four-foot-tall
grandmother would be willing to do so much. Marjorie has danced through
life in a way that brings inspiration to all. Her feet have never really
stopped moving during her active and spiritually rich life.
Elizabeth Karpf, Congregation Shir Hadash
Everywhere you look at Shir Hadash, Elizabeth is there. A “can do”
person, she always steps up to the plate when asked. In 2005, Elizabeth
co-chaired a congregation-sponsored Health Fair. Months of planning, fundraising,
coordinating with more than 40 organizations and more than 100 Shir Hadash
volunteers, resulted in a highly successful fair where more then 3000
people received health services in one day. Elizabeth has assisted with
every fundraising event at Shir Hadash
since 2001 when she and her husband served on the board as the vice president
of programs.
Rita Schlosser,
Congregation Beth David
Since 1985, Rita has held key positions for Beth David among them simcha
chair and liaison between the Sisterhood and the Ritual Committee. Rita
coordinated refreshments for 400 people for the first Saratoga Thanksgiving
Interfaith service, and set the standard for future services. Rita both
designed and sewed the synagogue's beautiful High Holy Day ark curtain,
and she quickly and efficiently prepares, cleans, and polishes the special
ritual items annually. Rita is an active member of the “Threads
of Tradition” organization which sews tacheriem for ritual burials.
Ziva Julius, Congregation Sinai
Ziva will be sorely missed when she moves with her family back to Israel.
Congregation Sinai has benefited from Ziva’s culinary talents from
Friday night dinners, to self-catered celebrations, whenever Ziva is in
the kitchen, she never disappoints! Born in Shiraz, Iran and raised in
Holon, Israel, Ziva was trained as an architect. It is perhaps this that
helped set Ziva’s eye to the finer details as she played an integral
part in the design of the new Sinai campus. Ziva has gone beyond all expectations
by simply being herself: a kind and helpful person willing to share her
beauty with all.
Gaby Neuburger,
Eitz Chaim Academy
Gaby Neuburger is an Eitz Chaim “woman behind the scenes”.
She analyzes the varying needs of the school and seeks to find solutions.
Knowing that publicity is essential for Eitz Chaim’s growth and
development, Gaby has spent time upgrading their website and mailing lists.
She volunteers for numerous fundraisers including the monthly Gourmet
Kosher Restaurant Nights. She will sub at any time in the classroom, or
work on extra projects together with the staff. Gaby’s latest program
centers on Hebrew reading fluency in the younger grades. Gaby originally
comes from the U.K. and has been living in the San Jose community for
the past nine years.
Barbara Sack Illowsky,
Hillel of Silicon Valley
Barbara serves on Hillel’s board and executive board, and has been
a professor of mathematics and statistics for eighteen years at De Anza
College. As Hillel’s vice president for student life, Barbara works
with the club advisors at all of the campuses that Hillel serves to ensure
their needs are addressed. She worked hard to organize Hillel’s
new Jewish Internship/Mentorship Program, connecting Jewish students with
members and jobs in the local Jewish community.
Addie Kopp, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Addie is a valued member of the Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Board. She has worked with the American Musical Theater, recording books
for the physically impaired. Her time on various business, non-profit
and synagogue boards, along with many other talents and contributions
to our community earned Addie the title “Distinguished Citizen of
San Jose” in 1995. She also co-owned the highly successful clothing
store, AddieRaymond, with her husband.
Fran Chevlen, Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley
Fran Chevlen was born and raised in Berkeley, California. Her grandfather
and mentor, Samuel Richmond, was one of the founders of Congregation Beth
Israel, an orthodox temple in Berkeley. In high school Fran was president
of B’nai B’rith Girls. After high school she attended California
College of the Arts in Oakland. In 1975 she married Jack Chevlen and they
had two children, Dove and Louis. For the past 28 years Fran and family
have lived in San Jose. For the past ten years she has been on the board
of the Women's Philanthropy Division of the Jewish Federation of Silicon
Valley, currently serving as vice president of outreach.
Barbara Taubman,
Jewish Study Network
Barbara was a president of Beth David’s Sisterhood and financial
secretary of the synagogue. She co-chairs the Robert E. Levinson Memorial
Library and the Miriam Gannes Memorial Reading Program at Congregation
Beth David, as well as serving as the current Sisterhood board secretary.
She has been a member of the Chevrat Chesed committee since its inception
in 1998. A regular participant at Jewish Study Network events, Barbara
is dedicated to the mission of the organization -- raising the level of
Jewish literacy in the Bay Area. Since the Jewish Study Network’s
inception, Barbara has been the kind and gracious host of the Cupertino
Study Group. The Taubmans have hosted this weekly JSN class since 2001.
Marsha Epstein, Kehillah Jewish High School
Marsha never expected the positive impact Kehillah would have on her.
She was honored to join the board when her son was a freshman. Since then,
she has chaired three Annual Parent Campaigns and co-chaired the first
two Kehillah Benefit Dinners. In addition to enjoying the challenge of
raising funds that contribute to Kehillah’s success, Marsha feels
privileged to work with the exemplary staff, parents and board members
of Kehillah, many of whom have become life-long friends.
Bette Emanuel, Sharone Hadassah
Bette has been a member of Hadassah for many years. When her children
were young, she worked on committees in the San Jose Chapter. Now retired,
she is more active, serving as Sharone Hadassah’s education vice-president
and currently co-president. Through Hadassah, she developed leadership
skills and increased her knowledge of health issues, medical research,
and Israel. Born and raised in Seattle, she graduated from the University
of Washington with a degree in elementary education. While working as
a special education teacher, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Special
Education from San Jose State. She is a long-time member of Temple Emanu-El
and taught religious school there for thirteen years.
DeeAnn Hazani, South Peninsula Hebrew Day School
There have been Hazani children at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School (SPHDS)
for over fourteen years. DeeAnn threw herself into the maelstrom called
Parents Association from day one and is relied on to be there to provide
the students with those “extras” that enhance their school
experience. She coordinated the fundraising and instillation of new play
structures, arranged family book dinners to ensure that there would be
a steady supply of new books and for the past three years she has served
on the executive board of the Parents Association and as its vice president.
Judith Sharon Stubbs,
Temple Emanu-El
Judith’s participation in Temple Emanu-El stems from her youth when
“family, Judaism, warmth and learning were all rolled into one.”
She says that her family’s commitment to bringing Reform Judaism
to the mid-peninsula (Congregation Beth Am) set the example for her to
follow. She has had wonderful learning and leadership opportunities with
Rabbis Akselrad and Magat, as a teen leader at CAFTY and NFTY, studying
Torah for Women’s Shabbat, creating prayer at Kallah, leading Women’s
Spirituality Day and Women’s Seder. Other joys in her life are working
with special needs children as an educational therapist and traveling
to Europe.
Lisa Sinizer, Yavneh Day School
Lisa Sinizer brings her enthusiasm, passion and knowledge to numerous
efforts on behalf of Yavneh Day School: from organizing Environmental
Day, revamping Yavneh’s website, serving on the board, to providing
HR consulting. She received the first minor in Jewish Studies from San
Jose State University, was Hillel president, and served as head counselor
while completing masters’ coursework in Comparative Religion at
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem – the first non-Israeli to hold
this position. Later, she served as Hillel director at SJSU. Although
Lisa’s professional life is outside the Jewish world (she is the
HR director at Printroom, Inc.) her volunteer efforts keep her closely
involved.
Thank you
to the
Connections Sponsors*
Addison-Penzak
Jewish Community Center
Altman-Aronow
Charitable Foundation
Mishy Balaban
Bloomers
Blue Moon Productions
Sheila Brown
Dr. Morris Budak, DDS
Eichler Associates, Inc.
Footwear etc.
Helaine Green
Dr. Daniel L. Hall, DDS MSD
Dov and Madelyn Isaacs
Rita Jacobson
Dr. Rebecca Keller, DDS
Julie Krigel
Noreen Maresca Designs
Claire Ludwig Peterson
Sheri Robbins
Linda Rossen
San Jose Magazine
Amy Schiff
Bonnie Slavitt Moore
Melissa Sleeter
Ann Sorger
Ruth Sporer
Tiffany & Co.
The Greenery
Elise Wolf
Wolfe Auto
* List in
Obituary Submissions
If you have news to include in this column, please contact Cecily Ruttenberg You can call Cecily at (408) 357-7505.
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