Jewish Community News

Simchas: June 2004

by Donna Frankel

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

BABY NEWS

Susanna & Federico Politi happily announce the birth of their daughter Judith on October 19, 2003. Judith’s big brother is Joseph, 3 1/2. The proud grandparents are Santina & Giuseppe Politi and Luisella & Robert Segre, and the great-grandmother is Bruna Schreiber, all of Trieste, Italy.

Toby & Nir Kol of Sunnyvale are the parents of twins, Adie and Inbal, born on January 9. The girls have two older brothers, Amit, 8, and Itai, 5 1/2.

Revital & Yossi Zohar of Sunnyvale are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Adi Paz, who arrived on January 12. Her siblings are Elad, 5 1/2, and Hila, 4. The children’s grandparents are Shulamit & Shimshon Haddi of Beit Arye, Israel, and Mati Zohar of Tel Aviv and the late David Zohar. Proud great-grandparents are Sima & Shlomo Ben Moshe of Tel Aviv, Israel.

Tamar & Gil Perez of Los Gatos are delighted to announce the birth of Kai who was born on March 17. The baby’s big brother is Leron, 7, and big sister is Marin, 3. Proud grandparents are Evelyn & Harry Brand of Kiron, Israel, and Rachel & Yacov Perez of Ramat Chen, Israel.

Karen & Rabbi Charles Briskin of Redwood City joyfully announce the birth of their first child, Ezra Jerome, named in loving memory of his great-grandmother Edith Briskin and his great-uncle Jerome Kahn. The proud grandparents are Linda & Gary Goldberg of Hillsborough, Phyllis & Gerald Briskin of Boston, and great-grandmother, Shirley Pollock of Milbrae. Ezra, born on April 8, was formally welcomed into the Beth Am community during the Kol HaKavod Shabbat Morning service. His bris was held on April 15 with Rabbi Chanan Feld officiating along with the clergy of Congregation Beth Am.

Judith & David Jelen of Palo Alto announce the birth of their son Phillip Aaron born April 8. The baby, who has been nicknamed PJ, has a sister Emily Sophia,7, and brother Matt Myron, 5. The children’s grandparents are Ruth & Daniel Rosenfelder of London, England, and the late Francis & Phillip Jelen. Rabbi Chanan Feld officiated at the April 15 bris, where Phillip was named for his grandfather Pinchus.

Samantha Spielman & Barry Barnes of Oakland along with their son Abraham Siegal Barnes, welcomed their new baby Benjamin Mac Barnes on April 13. The proud grandparents are Barbara & Marvin Spielman of Cupertino and Mary Ann & Barry Barnes of Mt. Shasta. Barbara is the special projects coordinator for the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School. Benjamin was named after both of his great-grandmothers at his bris April 20 held at the family’s Oakland home. Rabbi Chanan Feld officiated not only at Benjamin’s bris but also at those of his four cousins.

Nazy & Yisrael Mehdizadeh are pleased to announce the birth of their youngest son Efraim David on January 7. The baby is named for his great-grandfather. Daniel Kermeir officiated at the January 15 bris held at Congregation Am Echad.

Hannah & Eli Mordechai of Sunnyvale are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter Nogah (which means bright light or splendor) on March 27. She was greeted by her brothers Ron, 9, and Ethan, 5, and is a delight to her grandmothers Esther Cassuto of Ofra, Israel, and Victoria Mordechai of Hertzalia, Israel. The children are also the grandchildren of the late Daniel Cassuto and Sabich Mordechai.

Kay & Paul Fireman of Saratoga happily announce the birth of their first grandchild Joshua Morris born on April 18. The new parents of Joshua are Suzanne & Mark Fireman of Dublin, CA. The baby is also the grandson of Marcia & Tom Cooper of Torrence, CA. Joshua was named for both of his father’s paternal grandfathers at the bris held May 8 at the family home in Dublin.

CALLED TO THE TORAH:

Rebecca Holtzman, daughter of Judy & Sam Holtzman of Saratoga, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah, April 17, at Congregation Beth David. Her entire family participated in the service, including sister Laura and brother David, both her grandmothers, and many other relatives. Rebecca wore the tallit she made herself with the help of Ricki Gafter. For her mitzvah project Rebecca has been a classroom aide for a special-ed boy in Beth David religious school on a weekly basis this year. Rebecca shared her Bat Mitzvah with her friend Marcy Rattner, and the two girls worked together on their Haftarah, speeches and leading the Musaf service.

Marcy Rattner, daughter of Sheryl & Martin Rattner of Los Altos was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah, April 17 at Congregation Beth David. Marcy and her parents Sheryl & Martin each read a Torah portion and her brother Evan, 5, had the honor of opening the ark. Marcy’s grandparents, Carol & Leon Kusnetzky, of Leawood, KS, had aliyot, which was very special because it was Carol’s first ever. Marcy’s grandparents, Sylvia & Harold Rattner of Newhall, CA, also participated in the service. Marcy wore the tallit that she made herself with the help of Ricki Gafter. In her speech Marcy spoke of the importance of thinking before one acts. For her mitzvah project she is helping the Beth David seventh grade class raise money for its tzedakah project “Tikkun Olam Grade Seven.” She will also be doing a mitzvah project to promote literacy.

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.