Jewish Community News

Simchas: September 2008

Simchas of Silicon Valley
By Andrea Cohen Greyber

Births

Dean Rossi  & Kari Wolff welcomed their son Garrett Wolff Rossi on March 3; he weighed 7 pounds and was 20 inches tall. Big brothers Drew, 12, and Arthur, 10, could not be happier. Grandparents Dawn & Ron Rossi of Saratoga and Lew & Jean Wolff of Los Angeles joined many dear friends and family for Garrett’s brit during which Rabbi Joshua Berkenwald of Congregation Sinai explained that Garrett’s Hebrew name was Caleb Allon and that he was named after Kari’s two very special grandmothers, Adele Smith and Cecilia Stillman.

Rhoda & Larry Yelowitz, members of Congregation Beth David, have been twice blessed with two new grandchildren. Aidan Joshua Yelowitz was born on March 31 in Reno, NV, to Sara & Jason Yelowitz. His maternal grandparents are Julie & Rick Hoffman of Ellicott City, MD. Corinne Helene Yelowitz was born on May 3 in Lexington, KY, to Beth & Aaron Yelowitz. Big brother, Wexler, 3, is thrilled to welcome his baby sister to the family. Maternal grandparents are Regina & Jeff Coulter of Louisville, KY, and Donna & Dan Goodlett of Bagdad, KY.

Jaxson Daniel Winter joined his big brothers, Austin, 5, and Carson, 3, in their bustling home in San Diego on April 28. He is the son of Jennifer & Steven Winter who belong to Temple Beth Israel in San Diego. Jennifer grew up at Temple Emanu-El in San Jose and her parents Henry & Carol Thailer are still members there. Jaxson’s other grandparents are Andrea & Michael Goodman who belong to Congregation Beth Am in Del Mar, CA. Doting aunts and uncles include Lisa & Greg Wiviott, Deborah & Randy Blumhagen, Joel & Melissa Winter, Eric & Joanna Winter and Marty Goodman.

Dr. Elliott & Stephanie Brill are happy and excited to announce the birth of their son Henry Joseph Brill on May 31 at New York University Medical Center where his father is a resident in surgery and also does research at Memorial Sloane-Kettering. His mother is an attorney in Manhattan. The proud grandparents are Congregation Beth David members Ruth & Victor Brill of Santa Clara and Marcia & Jeffrey Lloyd of Los Angeles. Great-grandparents are the late Henry and the late Frances Gage, the late Frank and Dorothy Brill, Harriet Lloyd & the late Lloyd K. Lloyd and Alegra Brooks and the late Philip Brooks. Henry was named after his great-grandfather Henry Gage, his great-uncle Henry Levy and great-great-grandfather Joseph Levin. His brit was held in Manhattan.

Ann & Stephen Greenspan, of Congregation Beth David, joyfully announce the birth of their first granddaughter, Sabrina Kaya Goldberg, daughter of Jonathan & Melissa Goldberg of Venice, CA. Paternal grandparents are Dr. Howard & Donna Goldberg of Birmingham, AL. Loving aunts are Alison Greenspan of Santa Monica, CA and Lauren Goldberg of Beverly Hills, CA. Sabrina was born on June 20 at UCLA Hospital and weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 ½ inches long. She will have a B’rith B’not Yisrael in September at the home of her maternal grandparents when she will be named in honor of her maternal great-grandmother and her paternal great-grandfather in a ceremony officiated at by Rabbi Daniel Pressman.

Ari Jesse Nystrom Rice arrived right on time June 21 weighing in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces. He is the son of San Francisco architect Ellen Nystrom & Erik Rice, principal of Life Academy in Oakland; they belong to Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco. His big brother Isaac Benjamin turned 3 on July 6. Ari is the grandson of Laura Sternberg of Shir Hadash in Los Gatos, Natalie Gelman of Warren, ME, and her husband Doug Korach, and Ron Rice and his wife Linda Rice who live in Grand Rapids, MI. Doting Aunt Carrie Rice lives in San Francisco and belongs to Congregation Sherith Israel and Uncle Per Nystrom & Aunt Michelle Talley live in San Jose.

Called to the Torah

Joshua Aaron Zalk, son of Janice & David Zalk, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on March 29 at Congregation Am Echad. He is a student at John Muir Middle School in San Jose and participates there in a leadership program. He sets a good example for his brother Jacob, 11, a 5th-grader at Schallenberger Elementary School and Jesse, 4, who attends ATLC pre-school. Outside of school, Josh takes karate lessons. He felt very fortunate to have his grandparents Bert & Sophia Zalk from Israel and his grandfather Dr. Marvin Kirsh from Irvine, CA, come for his special day. Other special guests included his great-aunt Rae Sinow from San Mateo and great-great-aunt and uncle Pauline & Garland Sinow who came up from Long Beach, CA. For his mitzvah project Joshua will be donating a portion of his gifts to the American Heart Association in memory of his beloved grandmother Helen Kirsh.

Miranda Katz, daughter of Gary & Melissa Katz of Santa Clara, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El on May 5. She is a student at Peterson Middle School and will be entering 8th grade this September. Her grandparents Sadie Rosen of Santa Clara and Shirley & Nolan Katz of Redwood City were delighted to see her called to the Torah. Miranda loves to dance and enjoys a class in hip-hop that she takes through the City of Santa Clara. She also likes playing softball where she pitches and plays second base. Uncle Ron & Aunt Jennifer Katz of Hayward were on hand for the festivities as were Uncle Dana & Aunt Karen Williams of Paso Robles, CA, Aunt Denise Wells of Santa Clara and Uncle Victor & Aunt Heather Conchado of NH. Miranda organized a bake sale and raised money at Temple Emanu-El that she donated to aid in the fight against multiple sclerosis.

Jason Samuel Spielman was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on May 10, the fifth of Iyar, at Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto. He attended Gideon Hausner Day School and is now a student at Eagen School in Los Altos. Jason is the son of Susie & Chuck Spielman of Los Altos and the brother of Adam Spielman, 10, who attends Gideon Hausner Day School. His grandparents are Judith & Israel Krongold of San Jose and Barbara & Marvin Spielman of Cupertino. Jason is a drummer and at his post-Bar Mitzvah party entertained his friends and family with a drum solo that he composed.

Joseph Abraham Isaac, son of Lorraine & Eli Isaac of San Jose, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Beth David on May 10. He is a student at Miller Middle School. His older brother David, 21, who will be attending San Diego State University this fall, read beautifully from the Torah. Proud Grandma Flossie Jacob of Los Angeles was there to present Joseph his tallit, and cousins Zachary Haskell and Jacob Albert Theiss were there to open the ark. Aunt Carol Jacob and Uncle Tony Theiss along with Aunt Valerie Haskell of Los Angeles were in attendance on this happy occasion. Uncle Glen Haskell and Cousin Erik Haskell of L.A. were unable to attend but sent their heartfelt congratulations. Proud Aunt Myrtle & Uncle Joel Schwartz were there along with many relatives from San Francisco. Joseph’s beloved Grandpa Albert Abraham Jacob, of blessed memory, was thought of on this special day. For his mitzvah project, Joseph participated in the “Remember Us” project where he chose to honor and remember a child who had perished in the Holocaust. He will also donate a portion of his monies to the Orphan Hospital Ward of Israel. Joseph is taking guitar lessons, loves football and basketball and is looking forward to playing in the National Junior Basketball League again this fall.

Jake Selincourt, the son of Michelle & Louis Selincourt of Sunnyvale, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Beth David when he was called to the Torah on May 24. Jake is a student at Sunnyvale Middle School. His sisters, Rachelle, 18, who will be attending Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo in the fall, and Samantha, 15, who is a student at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale were pleased to participate with him. Jake’s grandparents, Annette & Lionel Marks and Shirley & Stuart Selincourt made the trip across the pond from London, England, to be on hand for this special event. Other relatives came in from Australia, South Africa and Poland as well as friends from the States. Jake’s mitzvah project came from Donorchoose.org. He chose to support a local elementary school by donating a teaching rug to their kindergarten class. The centerpieces from his Bar Mitzvah luncheon were school supplies, which will also be donated to his former elementary school, and the remaining ones will go to the school that received his teaching rug.

Moriah Chermak, daughter of Jeslie Chermak & Joy Morris of Saratoga, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El on May 31. Moriah, a student at Redwood Middle School, is the big sister of Quinn, 10, who attends Oak Street Elementary School. She was very happy that her grandfather Charley Morris, from Battleground, WA, was able to be with her on this special occasion. She is an avid reader, enjoys rock climbing and attends “surfer school” in San Diego every summer and is an accomplished rider of waves. Her mitzvah project involved raising money to send to children in South Africa.

Maya Sweedler, daughter of Susan & Jonathan Sweedler and big sister of Ari, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Sinai on June 7 when she was called to the Torah. She is a student at Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos where she has played flute in the band and auditioned for and will be participating in the Symphonic Band next year. Maya is an avid reader, plays recreational soccer, fences and is teaching herself to play clarinet and piccolo. In addition to her Uncle Bill Fritz and Aunt Claire Fritz of southern California, Aunt Emily Sweedler of Portland, OR, and many cousins from Canada, OH, and PA, Maya was thrilled that her grandmother Sylvia Fritz of Laguna, CA, and her grandparents Bryna & Michael Sweedler of Ossining, NY, were on hand for this special day. She was also very pleased that one of her friends from Camp Ramah came down from Seattle to help celebrate! Maya’s mitzvah projects were very personal for her. She grew her hair and donated it to Locks of Love and contributed money to the ALS Association of Greater Los Angeles in memory of her grandfather Judge Abner Fritz who died of ALS.

Daniel Vainish, son of Cara & Ronen Vainish of Sunnyvale, was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on June 14 at Congregation Beth David. Daniel attends Cupertino Middle School and is the older brother of Emma, 11, who also attends Cupertino Middle School, and Molly, 7, a student at West Valley Elementary School. Daniel is active in Senior Kadima at Beth David; he plays the piano, loves to play squash and likes traveling. For his mitzvah project, he and his mother and sisters created 70 puppets that he donated to the Lucille Packard Children’s Project. He was pleased that his grandparents Paula & Bernard Klein of Cupertino could be there for his special day. His Uncle Issac and Cousin Tal from Israel represented his grandparents, Bertie & Dietza Vainish of Ramat Gan, Israel who were unfortunately unable to attend. His Uncle Aaron and Aunt Kat Klein of New York were on hand for the festivities.

Keren Hendel, daughter of Arielle & Doron Hendel and sister of Yoni and Eytan, was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on June 14 at Congregation Sinai in Willow Glen. Keren attends Gideon Hausner Day School in Palo Alto where she is an exemplary student. She is an accomplished competitive gymnast and is now pursuing other interests in pole vaulting, soccer and dance. Family from all over the United States and Israel attended the Bat Mitzvah. Her maternal grandparents Eve & Jim Orlow of Ardmore, PA, and her paternal grandparents, Atalia & Mordechai Hendel of Holon, Israel, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends joined the festivities. Noted among them was great-uncle Ernie Katz, 90, who came with his wife, Ellen, of Brewster, NY; he was honored with not one, but two aliyot. Keren was guided by Tsilla Brafman of Mountain View in her trope and hazan studies. She is grateful to the family and friends who read Torah as well: Shula Raz, Leslie Alexander, Ezra Van Valder, Stuart Rovin and Sarah Rovin. As part of her studies for her bat mitzvah, Keren chose ATZUM, an Israel non-profit dedicated to extend hands to those in need, to confront and remedy injustices in Israel. ATZUM focuses on assistance to survivors of terror, support of righteous gentiles in Israel and advocating against human trafficking.

Lori Berenberg, daughter of Abraham Matthews & Anna Berenberg of Cupertino was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah June 28 at Congregation Sinai. Lori is a student at the Harker School in San Jose. Although she had not attended religious school until two years ago, she wanted very much to become a Bat Mitzvah and worked very hard to make sure that it happened. She is the first one in her family to have a Bat Mitzvah. In addition to her schoolwork and volunteer activities, Lori studies dancing. She is involved with other Sinai students to earn money to help fund solar panels for the synagogue. This summer she is volunteering at her former pre-school, Star Bright. Lori’s older brother Boris Berenberg, is a student at De Anza College. Her grandparents are Polya & Mikhail Fetzer, formerly of Ukraine and now of Sunnyvale, and Raisa Berenberg of Sunnyvale. Her aunt Galina Glendenning of Sunnyvale was also privileged to attend the Bat Mitzvah ceremony.

Ariella Greene, daughter of Bruce & Thalia Greene, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah when she was called to the Torah at Congregation Sinai on July 12. Ariella, who runs cross-country and track and swims for the Montevideo Swim Team, is a student at Dartmouth Middle School in San Jose. Her younger sister, Adina, 10, and brother David, 10, are students at Guadalupe Elementary School. She was pleased that her grandparents, Asher & Josephine Engler of San Jose and her grandmother Renee Greene of Los Gatos were with her for this milestone in her life.

Engagements

Word comes from Herzyliah that Smadar Cohen and Avi Chen who met in the army are to be married in October 2009. Smadar is the daughter of Michael Cohen, who grew up at Temple Sinai in Oakland, & Deborah Guth. She is the niece of Andrea & Howard Greyber of San Jose and the only first cousin of Elizabeth & Joe Lichy of Congregation Sinai, Rabbi Daniel & Jennifer Greyber of Los Angeles and newlyweds Rob & Natasha Greyber of Seattle. Avi is the son of Ariella & Moti Chen. He is a student at BPM School of Music in Tel Aviv, and she is a student at the Ron Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzyliah.

Weddings

Joel Bernstein and Sarah  Gordon were married on April 26 at Woolaroc Ranch near the home of the bride in Bartlesville, OK. The wedding took place outdoors, next to a lake. Mother Nature provided a rainbow in the one cloud in the sky, two Canadian geese that flew over, and one blue bird that sang at the start of the ceremony. Dr. Richard & Debbie Gordon are the parents of the bride and Dr. Allan & Judy Bernstein are the parents of Joel. Sarah is in her last year of veterinarian medicine at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, and Joe does computer/video production for the Distance Learning Center of the Business Department at OSU. The groom’s sister Rebecca Bernstein is a costume designer in NYC and created the wedding gown for her sister-in-law. Judy Bernstein fashioned a friendship quilt for the couple; it was made from squares that were sent to the guests with the wedding invitation. This quilt was used as the cover for the Huppah during the ceremony.

Susan & Marc Robinson are pleased to announce the marriage of their son Adam Robinson to Emily Hotzer on May 4. The wedding took place in Westlake Village, CA. The parents of the bride are Ceena & Stephen Hotzer of Calabasas, CA. Rabbi Stewart Vogel officiated. The bride was attended by her sister Debbie Hotzer and her new sister-in-law Davita Robinson. Adam’s brother Seth was best man and Emily’s brother Wesley was a groomsman. Niece Eliana Robinson was a flower girl. Also attending the wedding were Adam’s Grandpa Fred Robinson who did the blessing over the wine and Emily’s Grandma Sylvia Wortman who performed the blessing over the challah. Adam is an assistant locations manager for the TV show “CSI-Miami.” The California On Location Awards recently honored him with the award for Best Assistant Locations Manager of 2007. Emily is an attorney currently working in the field of family law. After a honeymoon in Cancun, the couple will live in Granada Hills, CA.

After a honeymoon trip to Bali, Angkor Wat and Hong Kong, Rob Greyber and his bride Natasha Guzman returned to their home in Seattle and their puppy “Simcha”! The Greybers were married on June 14 in Healdsburg, CA, at a ceremony officiated by Rabbi Daniel Weiner of Temple De Hirsh Sinai in Seattle. Joining them for the festivities were her mother Vicky Alpizar of Houston, his parents Andrea & Howard Greyber of San Jose, Congregation Sinai congregants Elizabeth & Joe Lichy, the groom’s sister and brother-in-law, Rob’s brother and sister-in-law Rabbi Daniel & Jennifer Greyber, and nephews Ari, Samuel and Carl Lichy and Alon, Benjamin and Ranon Greyber of Los Angeles. The prize for the longest trip to the wedding went to Uncle Michael Cohen & Aunt Deborah Guth and first cousin Smadar Cohen who came in from Herzyliah, Israel. Other friends and family from as far north as Alaska and Boston and as far south as Costa Rica enjoyed the entire weekend of celebration.

Special Occasions

Leon & Beverly Avrech of San Jose celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 21 at a party given by their daughters and sons-in-law, Sherie & Phil Blake of San Jose and Karen & Pete Murray of Brentwood. The celebration was held at Fiorello’s Restaurant in Santa Clara where their five grandchildren and 103 family and friends enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing and a singing performance by granddaughter Cassie Blake, a graduate of SJSU Theater Arts, and a DVD created by grandson Kevin Murray. Grandson Ryan Blake was the photographer. Leon is a retired middle school mentor, teacher and principal. His book “Think You Can Teach? A Survival Guide for New Middle School Teachers” has recently been published. Beverly is a retired dental office manager. They have lived in San Jose since 1962 and were married by Rabbi Teitlebaum of Temple Beth Jacob in Redwood City.

Hank Cinnamon, son of Barry Cinnamon and Lori Cinnamon of Congregation Beth David, celebrated with two other troop members an Eagle Court of Honor on June 8. The ceremony was held at the Saratoga North Campus. Hank is a recent graduate of Saratoga High School and is attending the University of Arizona. He started his scout experience with cub scouts 10 years ago and joined Troop 508 in 2001. He has earned a total of 24 merit badges and has served as quartermaster, assistant patrol leader, troop guide, instructor and librarian. During his scouting career, Hank completed five extended backpack trips ranging from 30 to 65 miles totaling approximately 180 miles, two of which qualified him for the 50-Miler Award. For his Eagle project, he constructed and installed 12 storage carts for Congregation Beth David. He organized six scouts to help build these carts at Akeena Solar, using wood, wheels and hardware from Home Depot.

Please send announcements and photos to Andrea Greyber at agreyber@yahoo.com or call her at (408) 377-6224.