Jewish Community News

Simchas: May 2004

by Donna Frankel

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

BABY NEWS

Janice & David Zalk, of San Jose, are thrilled to announce the birth of Jesse Hirsh born December 15, 2003. Joshua, 9, and Jacob, 7, are Jesse’s older brothers. Proud grandparents are Sophia & Bertram Zalk of Telz-Stone, Israel, Dr. Marvin Kirsh of Ann Arbor, MI, great-grandma Rachel Sinow of Laguna Hills, CA. Jesse Hirsh is named for his maternal grandmother, the late Helen Kirsh and also his great-grandmother, the late Esther Zalk. Rabbi Chanan Feld officiated at the bris held at the home of Jesse’s parents on Dec. 22.

Adrienne Dell & Kelley Nichols, of San Jose, are pleased to announce the birth of Kathryn Rose on January 23. Kathryn is the sister of Carlos Nichols, 10, of San Jose, and Brittany and Shawn Nichols of FL. The proud grandparents are Joy & George Dell of Los Angeles and Maureen & Jim Nichols of Big Bear, CA.

Jean & Gary Bronstein, of Sunnyvale, happily announce the birth of their first grandchild, Emily Seraphine Bronstein, on February 2. The new parents are Katie & Greg Bronstein of San Francisco, and the second set of first-time grandparents are Karen & Fred Roed of Seattle, WA. The proud great-grandparents are Jeanne & Q.C. Metzig of Oshkosh, WI, and Sol Bronstein of Knoxville, TN. Emily’s middle name is a family name from her paternal great-great-grandmother.

Susan & Mark Mastman of Santa Barbara happily announce the birth of their first child, Emily Ruth Mastman, on February 3. Her paternal grandparents are Alfreda & Dr. Gary Mastman of Saratoga, and her maternal grandparents are Joyce & Richard Axilrod of Santa Barbara.
Linda & Fred Miller, of San Jose, happily announce the birth of their grandson, Trent Jordan Miller, who was born on February 14. The proud first-time parents are Jenn & Todd Miller of San Jose. Also welcoming Trent is his grandmother, Florence Trent of Menlo Park.

JoAnn Shank, of Los Gatos, is excited to announce the birth of her new grandson, Nathan Samuel Rockman, born to Mary & David Rockman of San Francisco on March 24. Proud grandparents also include Joseph Shank of San Jose, Anita Hoffman & Dr. Stanley Rockman both of San Mateo. Great grandmothers are Elinor Shank of Portland, OR, and Jeanette Lazer of Palm Springs. The bris took place at the baby’s parent’s home with Dr. Mark Rubinstein officiating.

Beth & Igor Dayen, of Santa Clara, are delighted with the birth of their second daughter, Elana Rachel, who arrived January 16. The new big sister is Daniela Nicole, 2. Grandparents are Judy Winkelstein of San Mateo, Charles Winkelstein of San Mateo, Iraida & Edward Dayen of Belmont. Great-grandmothers are Clara Dayen of SF and Basya Dvorkina of SF.

Lynn Osband & Steven Dick are happy to announce the birth of their son, Jonathan Michael, born on March 2. Jonathan is welcomed by his big sister, Rachel, 26 months. Proud grandparents are Marla & Ronald Osband of Culver City, CA, and Charlene & Melvin Dick of Buffalo Grove, IL.

CALLED TO THE TORAH:

Max Spears, son of Andrea Baron & Robert Spears of Saratoga, became a bar mitzvah on January 3 at Congregation Shir Hadash. Proud grandparents in attendance were Eva & Murray Baron of Atlanta, GA, and Harriett Spears of Fort Valley, GA. Max is also the grandson of the late Robert Spears, Sr. Max’s sister India opened the ark with her brother Jed, 6, and she translated a Spanish poem read by the children’s nanny, Maritza Taleno of SF, into English. Max’s father’s relatives took part in a bar mitzvah for the first time, and were overwhelmed with the significance and emotion of the event. Max is involved with Rabbi Yitzhock Miller’s, “Shul is Cool” special creative services for jr. high age teens. Max’s mitzvah project was feeding homeless in the Sunnyvale Armory Christmas Dinner. It was so moving, that the family has decided to take this on as a continuing mitzvah project.

David Silver, son of Susan & Jon Silver of San Jose, was called to the Torah on March 13 at Congregation Sinai. His sister Miriam was in attendance along with proud grandparents, Dorothy Drabkin of San Jose and John E. Silver of Los Angeles. Many family and friends attended from all over the Bay Area, Southern CA, and Chicago. David’s uncle, Joel Drabkin, who grew up in San Jose, came from Baltimore to share in this simcha. David wrestles and plays football, basketball, and street hockey. He also plays French horn in the Castro Middle School Wind Ensemble.

ENGAGEMENTS

Trish & Irv Koppel of Union City announce the engagement of their son Elliot to Kim Holder. Kim is the daughter of Sandra and Him Holder of Huntsville, AL. She received a degree in Human Resource Management from Auburn University and is a customer relationship analyst. Elliot graduated UC Berkeley in Economics in 2000. At present he is a compliance analyst. The couple will be married in the Brazilian room of Tilden Park in Berkeley in Sept. They intend to make their home in Danville.

Lynne & Stephen Kinsey of San Jose are delighted to announce the engagement of their daughter Leanna to Michael Shuster, son of Judy & David N. Shuster, M.D., of Fresno. The proud grandparents are Susan Kinsey of San Jose, Eunice Coleman of Millbrae, Sam & Isobel Shuster of Montreal, and Esther Veroff of Fresno. Leanna is also the granddaughter of the late Ad Kinsey and the late Mervin Coleman. Michael is the grandson of the late Jack Veroff. Leanna is currently studying at UCLA for a PhD in chemistry, and Michael plans to return to school to study education. A Spring 2005 wedding is being planned in San Jose and the couple will live in Los Angeles until they both have completed their studies.

WEDDINGS:

Dena and Rabbi Yosef Levin of Palo Alto, with gratitude to Hashem, joyfully announce the marriage of their daughter Rivkie to Sholom Ber Brownstein, son of Chasha & Fishel Brownstein of Brooklyn, NY. The wedding was officiated by Rabbi Josef Shusterman, of Beverly Hills, head of the Chabad Rabbinit on the West Coast on Feb. 9 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Foster City. The proud grandparents are Rochel Levin/Liberow of London, England, Chaya & Rabbi Sholom Ber Popack of Brooklyn, NY, Harriet & Leonard Brownstein of Boynton Beach, FL, and great-grandmother Rebbetzin Mariashe Garelick of Brooklyn, NY. Attending their sister’s wedding were Avrohom, who is in Melbourne, Australia, completing his Rabbinic studies, Chanie & Shmuel Wolowik, of Brooklyn, who were just married in September at the same location, Nechama, of Palo Alto, Mendel, attending Yeshiva in Frankfurt, Germany, Zalman studying near Paris, France, Mussi at Yeshivah High School in Chicago, and Devorah Leah, Sheina, Fraidy, Menucha, Esti and baby Yisroel all of Palo Alto. The couple has made their home in Brooklyn, NY, where the groom is continuing his post-rabbinic studies at the Chabad Kollel and Rivkie is seeking a teaching position.

Karen & Allen Guggenheim of Saratoga are very pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Lori to Gregory Berkowitz, son of Lillian & Gene Berkowitz of Danville. Lori & Greg became engaged in May. The wedding ceremony, which took place on Maaleea, Maui, on Feb. 29, at a home on the beach, was conducted by the bride’s brother Cantor Stephen Gugenheim. Lori is also the sister of Scott & Shannon Guggenheim and the aunt of Lily. Lori is the granddaughter of Harold & Ceil Guggenheim of Pittsburgh, PA, and the late Ruth & Jack Copperman, who lived at Chai House, and the late Minnie Guggenheim of Pittsburgh, PA. Greg is the brother of Michael Berkowitz of Martine, CA, and the grandson of Molly Berkowitz of Las Vegas and the late Manny Berkowitz. The bride, a recreation therapist, and her facility dog, Elijah, work at Laguna Honda Hospital in SF. She received her BS degree from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. The groom is a branch manager of General Electric Supply and received his BS and marketing degree from Long Beach State. After a honeymoon on Maui, the newlyweds reside in Concord.

Sandy & David Mayer of San Jose are pleased to announce the marriage of their son Jonathan Joseph Mayer to Patricia Elizabeth Nichols on February 29. Penny is the daughter of Carin & Dr. Frank Nichols of Tupelo, MS. Rabbi Peter Light of Congregation Beth Sholom and Rabbi Daniel Pressman of Congregation Beth David co-officiated with Cantor David Julian at the wedding, which took place in Memphis, TN. Jonathan’s brothers, Oren and Adam, and grandparents, Harriette & Morrie Kirschen of Modesto, CA, were present for the simcha. Jonathan’s paternal grandparents are Joheved & Arie Mayer of Tel Aviv, Israel. Penny’s grandparents are Rose Hilbert of Honeoye Falls, NY, and John Richards, Jr., of Powell, WY. Jonathan is finishing his OB/GYN residency at the University of TN in Memphis, and Penny is a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Following a honeymoon to Tahiti, the couple has made their first home in Memphis, TN.