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Jewish Community News

Obituaries: June 2004

by Donna Frankel

Herbert Slavit

Herbert Slavit died March 6, 2004, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Born in the Bronx, Herb graduated of Brooklyn College and then served in the U.S. Army. While stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco, he met Norma, his loving wife of 47 years, at the JCC. Herb and Norma have been members of Temple Emanu-El in San Jose for 35 years. Herb earned graduate credentials at Santa Clara and San Jose State universities. For the past 35 years, he worked for the San Mateo Union High School District where he was head school psychologist helping thousands of students. The assistant superintendent called Herb “the gentle giant.” In addition to his wife Norma, his children, Joel Slavit and Lisa Barkin, grandchildren Ilana, Rachel and Joshua, daughter-in-law Betsy Slavit and son-in-law Steven Barkin as well as his nieces, Arlene and Lori and nephew, George, survive him.

David Wies

David Wies (David Ben Yitzchak Ve Perel), February 4, 1934-March 2, 2004, was born in Yonkers, New York. He graduated from Bowdoin College with a BA in psychology and received a Master’s degree in personnel psychology at Columbia University. In 1958 he met and married his loving wife of 45 years, Joyce. Dave and Joyce were current members of Beth David and presently members of Shir Hadash where he was a respected board member. He and Joyce were active square dancers, tennis players and belonged to Marriage Encounter and Brandeis. David was vice president of human resources for Qume Corporation, International Telephone & Telegraph Co., Plus Development, International Power Technology, and Quantum Corporation. After nine moves and promotions across the country he settled and then retired with his family here in the Bay area. His passion was always helping others, and upon early retirement after his first heart attack he became an effective spokesperson for Child Advocates. He was the court-appointed advocate for two teens, Shane and Robert. Before his death he was on a Shir Hadash Temple Panel Discussion on “Volunteerism and how it added meaning to his life”. In addition to his wife, Mr. Wies is survived by his soon-to-be-married son Edward Wies (and fiancé Kimberly Fraind), and son Gerald Wies. Donations may be sent in his memory to: Child Advocates of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties, 509 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035, or The Heart Association.

Roberta May Barkan

Roberta May Barkan, February 2, 1935-April 18, 2004, died from complications from a splenectomy at Stanford Hospital. Roberta was the beloved wife of Paul Barkan of Palo Alto and mother of Jeremy Barkan (Lisa) of Jerusalem and David Barkan (Wendy) of Los Altos. She was the devoted grandmother of Shachar, Haim. Rachel and Naomi Barkan. She received her BA from Barnard, MA and PhD, from Columbia U. and received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. An inspiration to countless students, a recognized scholar, lecturer and author in Jewish studies and Hebrew literature, Dr. Barkan served as associate professor at SUNY, Purchase College where she was founder of the Jewish Studies Program serving the Westchester community. Funeral services were held in San Jose with burial in Jerusalem, Israel. A memorial symposium will take place at Purchase College this fall. Donations may be sent to the Jewish Studies Program/Roberta Barkan Fund in care of Rachel Hallote, Humanities Division, SUNY Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd. Purchase, NY 10577.

Ida G. Snaider

Ida G. Snaider, June 3, 1919-April 10, 2004, died at her home in Mountain View of a heart ailment. Ida is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Snaider of Mountain View, and two sons, Richard Snaider of Reston, VA, and Warren Snaider who lives in the WA, DC, area. She had been a life-long homemaker living in the Santa Clara Valley for forty years. Her husband, Himey Snaider passed away in 1966. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Community Fellowship for Battered Women, Attn: Gary Kagel, 1708 Morrill Ave., San Jose, CA 95132.

Jerome Feilowitz

Jerome Feilowitz died April 1, 2004, at age 75. The Brooklyn, NY, native moved to San Jose with his family in 1973. His parents, Pauline & Julius Feilowitz pre-deceased him. His sisters Myrna Feilowitz and Marietta O’Toole and nephews Richard Boomer and Jason and Phillip O’Toole, survive him. Rabbi Eitan Julius of Congregation Sinai officiated at the services and interment held on April 2 at Home of Peace Cemetery in San Jose. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

Lawrence E. Okun

Lawrence E. Okun, M.D., August 14, 1929-April 18, 2004. Born in Kalamazoo, MI, Lawrence was survived by three children and seven grandchildren. An officer in the Air Force, he was most known as an OB/GYN in San Jose for 35 years, and a published author. Dr. Okun was an accomplished musician, artist and avid golfer. The family has requested donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.

We Extend Condolences to

Tamar Mednick of Saratoga on the death of her mother, Gretel Baram, on January 6 in Israel.

Dr. Richard Dorsay of Saratoga on the death of his father, Benjamin Dorsay (9/7/19-1/9/04), of Bangor, ME, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. A semi- pro basketball player, Benjamin was a salesman, and is also mourned by his wife Rose of FL and son Gary Dorsay of Chicago.

Gerald Daniel on the death of his sister, Celia Fertig, on January 7 in New York.