Abram Cygielman
Died in Hayward at the age of 97. Born in Poland in 1912, Abram was a Holocaust survivor. He moved to the Bay Area in 1949, working as a skilled tailor for many years. With his beloved wife, Tola (deceased), he had two children: Paul (Luna) Cygielman and the late Harry (Ann) Cygielman. Abram adored his grandchildren — Sarah (Josh) Bakhshi and David, Leah and Michelle Cygielman — and great-grandchildren, Talia and Hadas Bakhshi. He was surrounded by his loving family upon his death on February 10, 2010.
Funeral services were held last week at Eternal Home Cemetery in Colma. Donations would be welcome at Stanford Hospital’s cancer research center.
Betty Dreifuss died on Sunday, 2/7 at Friends’ House in Santa Rosa, Ca. Both her only child Alan and daughter-in-law Victoria Dreifuss were by her side. She led an exciting and dynamic life, in full color and with vital energy. She had many friends and loved ones in her world. Betty had a very loving and close relationship with her only grandchild, Aria, who shared her love of ballet. Betty was born in New York and was first married to Frank Rosendorf who died in 1957. She later was married to Herbert Dreifuss until his passing in 1996. She lived most of her life in the New York area and was a homemaker and enthusiastic supporter and fundraiser for the establishment of Israel and Jewish causes. Betty had many leadership positions in the Jewish community and made numerous pilgrimages to Israel. She and Herb moved to the San Francisco area in 1975 to be closer to her son, and began a new life on the West Coast. She was a very passionate person who loved to connect with others. When you were in her world, the bowls were filled and overflowing and she would thoroughly enjoy political debate, good laughs and celebration. She could tell wonderful jokes with a Yiddish accent and was truly a hostess par excellence. She will be missed by many, and remembered for her enthusiasm and heart.
A private memorial will be held for her family and close friends celebrating her life on Sunday, March 7 at in Santa Rosa, CA. Local friends can email Alan at [email protected] to find out more information regarding this event.
Any donations in remembrance can be made to the San Francisco Interfaith Shelter c/o Interfaith Center Presidio, P.O. Box 29055, San Francisco, CA 94129.
Ann Einstein passed away on February 10, 2010 at the age of 94 due to complications of pneumonia. She will be deeply missed by her daughter Susan, son Ken and daughter-in-law Christina, all of San Mateo, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Ann was born in New York in 1915. In the ’30s she worked at Revlon on Fifth Avenue, where she loved being part of the team that decided which new nail polishes would go to market and what they should be called. Looking for new adventures, in 1946, she took a train across the country to visit a friend in Los Angeles and stayed for the next 50 years.
In LA, her skills helped her land a job at MGM. For the next 15 years, she had a fulfilling career at a number of Hollywood studios, and became the personal assistant to stars such as John Payne and Danny Kaye. But she found her true expression when she opened her own interior design studio and became a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. She was active as a designer until she moved to San Mateo at age 80 to be closer to her children.
Services were held on February 14 at Chabad of San Mateo and Ann was interred at Skylawn Memorial Park.
Rebecca Leash Elbinger, a longtime resident of San Francisco, died in Spokane, Washington on January 22, 2010, after a long illness. She was 88. She is survived by her daughter, Avra (Larry) Molton, granddaughters Naomi Weitz and Marnina (Todd) Van Peursem, great grandsons Skyler and Asher, and great granddaughter Maila, as well her siblings Lillian Singer, Aaron Leash, Leon Leash, David Leash, and Mikhail Santaro.
Rebecca was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Eastern European immigrant parents, and was the oldest daughter in a family of ten children in a traditional Jewish family. After completing her undergraduate studies at Wayne State University, Rebecca earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Indiana in 1946, and launched an academic career. After stays in Chicago, Troy, and Great Neck, she was hired as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois in 1958, one of a very few women to become a tenure track science professor in that era.
Rebecca suffered from progressive deafness beginning in middle age and was committed to improving the opportunities for hearing-impaired children to receive a Jewish education. She moved to San Francisco in 1969, and taught in the San Francisco schools.
Rebecca spent a great deal of time advising and mentoring her large extended family, and did much to encourage their creative, academic and professional endeavors. She was a devoted member of the Contra Costa Hiking Club for many years. An avid photographer, she created a remarkable collection of event and celebrity photographs taken in San Francisco over thirty years. Her collection of rock samples was just acquired by the California Academy of Sciences last year.
Burial took place in a family gravesite in Detroit. A memorial service will be held in Castro Valley on Saturday, February 20. The family requests that donations can be made in memory of Rebecca to Jewish Family Services of Spokane, or to Women in Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Gershman, Eleanor Lyda, 90, of San Francisco, formerly of Pawtucket, R.I., died Sunday, 2/14/10, at the Jewish Home of San Francisco. Beloved wife for 64 years of the late Edward Gershman. Devoted mother of Cherie Gershman Half (Fred) of Palo Alto, CA and Harvey Gershman (Jennifer) of Bethesda, MD. Dear Sister of I. Richard Klein (Helene) of Cranston, RI. Adored grandmother of Lauren Half Warren (Joshua, deceased), Jonah Half (Emily), Julie Half Sutcliffe (Joshua), Gregory Gershman (Peninah) and Benjamin Gershman. Cherished great-grandmother of Nathan, Eli, Madeline, Brynn, Ezra, Gila and Eden. A memorial service is will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to The Jewish Home, 302 Silver Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112.
Irma Shenson Levin
Passed away peacefully at home on February 5, 2010. A third generation San Franciscan, she was born October 29, 1916, to the late Viola and Shy Shenson. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Irving “Bud” Levin whom she met at Lowell High School, and her brother Walter Shenson. After graduating from CCA, she designed hats for Paramount Studios and continued to be creative throughout her life. Irma worked tirelessly alongside her husband who founded the International Film Festival in 1957. Together they were instrumental in fundraising efforts for the Blind Babies Foundation. In 1962, Irma was designated one of the Examiner’s Distinguished Women of the Year in San Francisco. She is survived by her devoted sons Larry Levin (Betty Jean) and Fred Levin (Nancy Livingston), five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends also survive her.
Private services were held.
Donations in Irma’s memory may be made to The Shenson Music Fund at Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake Street, San Francisco. Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Lucile Maxine Wasserman, in Burlingame on February 11, 2010 at age 76. Beloved wife of the late Milton Leo Wasserman for 39 years; loving mother of Mark and Fran Wasserman; adoring grandmother of Maxwell and Gabriel Wasserman and Courtney and Jason Stephens; dear sister of the late Eileen and David Mintz and Richard DuBonne. Also survived by cousins, nephews, nieces and a devoted friend to many.
Born and raised in Seattle, she attended the University of Washington prior to moving to San Francisco. She worked as a legal secretary and was a proud teacher and member of Peninsula Temple Sholom. Also remained an active supporter of Starr King Lodge, No 344, F. & A. M., the Odd Fellows and City of Hope.
A graveside service was held on Tuesday, February 16 at Olivet Memorial Park, Colma. Donations to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers are preferred. Sinai Memorial Chapel.