Volume #30, Issue #1, October, 1997
OBITUARIES:
SOME JEWISH WOMEN OF THE WEST
Editor's Introduction--The obituary notices in papers are a
major source of history. WSJH will print obituaries that in the editor's mind
seem to stand out even if the deceased are not always outstanding. We receive
gratefully obits from your local paper. Please be sure to give us the name and
date of the publication and any personal comments if you knew the deceased. The
following obituraries are all of Jewish women. Future Obituary Reviews may be
historical as well as contemporary and men will not be left out.
—W. K.
REVA HOWITT CLAR
1906-1997
Reva Howitt Clar was a multi-talented artist whose spirit
touched and inspired all who knew her. Born in Santa Rosa, California in 1906,
nine days before the great San Francisco earthquake, Reva grew up in Stockton,
California, part of a family whose roots in that state reach back to the 1870s.
Her maternal great uncle was Herman Davidson, Stockton' s first permanent
cantor-rabbi.
An early dream of being a ballet dancer eventually led Reva
into a full-time professional career during which she toured the United States
and Canada as a featured performer with Fanchon and Marco's theatrical company
Her nine years as a dancer culminated with an appearance in a hit show at the
famed Palace Theatre in New York.
After retiring from show business, Reva married Charles
Clar who founded the Colonial Shops, Los Angeles' leading fireplace fixture
establishment for over 50 years. They had a son and a daughter.
In later years, a second career began for Reva when she
acquired Herman Davidson's scrapbook, a gift from his son. Clippings and
mementos detailing Herman's world travels with an opera company and his
subsequent rabbinical pursuits in Stockton prompted Reva to investigate the life
of this pioneer relative, The results of her research were published in Western
States Jewish History in 1973.
Various other family members played roles in early
California history and were the subjects of additional writings. Among them were
Herman Davidson's father-in-law, Samuel Sussman Snow, a physician who led a
covered wagon across the plains from Iowa to California during the Gold Rush;
Reva's grandmother Sadie Sinai, and her mother, Fannie Sinai Howitt, who
emigrated to Stockton from Russia in 1891, and her uncle, Joseph Sinai, who kept
a diary of his month-long trip across the Sierra Nevada by horse and wagon in
1902.
Reva' s numerous other WSJH contributions included a study
of Jews in agriculture based on excerpts from the Weekly Gleaner, one of the
first Jewish newspapers in the Far West; a survey of Chinese-Jewish relations in
California from 1850-1950; and articles on Ray Frank, the first female acting
rabbi in America, and Sarah Vasen, the first Jewish female physician in Los
Angeles.
Reva was a contributing editor of WSJH and also
collaborated with William Kramer on many articles, including a series of
scholarly studies on the pioneer rabbis of Los Angeles.
Reva is survived by her two children, Richard Clar and Mimi
Melnick [the writer]; two grandchildren, Andrew Clar and Ilene Clar Perry; and
two great grandchildren, Sierra Clar and Daniel Perry.
CARLYN H. WOHL
PHILANTHROPIST, DIES AT 92
[ST. LOUIS -1987]
Carlyn H. Wohl, who gave millions of dollars to St. Louis
charities and institutions through her family's philanthropic foundation, died
of infirmities recently at her home in St. Louis.
Mrs. Wohl, 92, was the widow of David P. Wohl Sr., founder
of the Wohl Shoe Co. and the Wohl Foundation, a philanthropic organization.
David P. Wohl Sr. created the Wohl Foundation in 1940. Mrs.
Wohl managed the foundation for 10 years after her husband's death in 1960. The
foundation dissolved in 1970 after channeling more than $9 million to a host of
institutions and causes in the St. Louis area.
The foundation and the Wohls personally gave to such
organizations as Jewish Hospital, the Jewish Orthodox Old Folks Home, now the
Jewish Center for the Aged, St. Louis University, Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts
and the Washington University School of Medicine.
Mrs. Wohl was a generous contributor each year to the
Jewish Federation Campaign, and also was a major benefactor of the Jewish
Community Centers Association. The main headquarters of the JCCA is named the
Carlyn H. Wohl Bldg. Thomas R. Green, president, and William Kahn, executive
vice president of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, said in a joint statement:
"Carlyn H. Wohl was truly a giant in the Jewish and general communities of St.
Louis. Like her late, great husband, David P. Wohl, she was a consistent and
extremely generous supporter of every worthwhile cause. She will be sorely
missed by the entire community." Richard Weiss, president, and Stanley J.
Ferdman, executive vice president of the JCCA, Harold Blatt, board chairman, and
David Gee, president of Jewish Hospital, also joined in the memorial tributes to
Mrs. Wohl, who was a member of Temple Israel.
The Wohl Foundation gave $550,000 to the Washington
University School of Medicine and Mr. Wohl personally provided $418,271 for the
hospital named in memory of their son, David P. Wohl, Jr., who was killed in a
bombing raid over Germany in World War II. Wohl hospital is at Washing-ton
University Medical Center.
Mrs. Wohl lived in Chilicothe, Mo., before coming to St.
Louis in the 1920s. She attended one year of college before she married Mr.
Wohl.
Mrs. Wohl received numerous civic awards, including the
Human Relations Award of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.
Mrs. Wohl served on the boards of directors of many
organizations, including Jewish Hospital, the Jewish Community Centers
Association and the Central Institute for the Deaf.
Surviving are two daughters, Francelle Marcus of Winnetka,
Ill., and Elizabeth Rothschild of Clayton; a sister, Emma Peltason of San
Antonio, Texas; seven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
—from the St. Louis Jewish Light, February 4, 1987, p. 19.
BETH JACOB WILL GATHER
TO REMEMBER EVE GOLOMB
[LOS ANGELES - 1996]
by Herb Brin
One of the nation's great Orthodox women's leaders will be
memorialized at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 19 at Beth Jacob Congregation in
Beverly Hills, when friends and relatives of Eve Golomb assemble from all parts
of America to mark the shloshim of her passing.
Mrs. Golomb died Nov. 23. She was a national vice president
of the Women's Branch of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America,
and with Frances Osep and Herb Brin she helped to organize the Orthodox Union on
the West Coast.
Eve Golomb and her late husband, Dr. Morris Golomb, a
highly respected Torah scholar, educator and writer, were passionately devoted
to the role of Heritage in West Coast Jewish life. They often organized Friends
of Heritage gatherings in their home.
Eve Golomb was a major force in Los Angeles for years. She
served as president of: Junior Hadassah in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as in
Youngstown, Ohio; Junior Pioneer Women (under the guidance of Golda Meir); the
California Hebrew Academy (B'nai Reuben) PTA; Los Angeles Jewish Academy PTA;
Rambam Torah Institute PTA; the Jewish Parent Teacher Council of Greater Los
Angeles; Etz Chaim Sisterhood, Jacksonville, Fla.; and the Raana Chapter of Amit
Women.
She also served as chairman of the Bonds of Israel, Hillel
Hebrew Academy PTA and the Los Angeles Association for Jewish Education, as well
as national vice president and chairman of the West Coast Region of the National
Association of Hebrew Day School PTAs of Torah Umesorah.
She sat on many boards of directors, including Hillel
Hebrew Academy, Young Israel of Beverly Hills, Jacksonville Hebrew Academy and
national Amit Women.
She chaired many banquets and conventions citywide,
concurrently chairing numerous ad journals. Additionally, Eve served on the
Community Advisory Committee of the mayor of Los Angeles and was featured in
Who's Who of American Women.
Her professional Jewish involvements included Chabad, Bais
Yaakov and Yeshiva Toras Emes.
Her work enabled countless children to attend Jewish
schools on scholarship and she never tired of creating new ways to strengthen
Jewish life. She helped shape Jewish education and Jewish community life in Los
Angeles as we know it today.
Mrs. Golomb leaves two daughters, Marilyn Selber and
Geraldine Wiener, a son-in-law, Dr. Isaac Wiener; grandchildren Rachel and
Miriam Selber and Michael Zev and Tova Wiener; sisters Evelyn Postone and Rita
Segal, and a brother Herschie Haft.
—from Heritage Southwest Jewish Press Friday, December 13, 1996, p. 19.
MARIA HEMD
[DENVER, COLORADO - 1996]
Maria Hemd, a Holocaust survivor, passed away Nov. 12,
1996, in Denver. Rabbi Steven Kaye and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the
Nov. 15 graveside service at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the
arrangements.
"She never put herself first," said daughters Sara
Hemd-Fritschler and Helen Hemd-Fritschler. "She would do anything to help other
people and she loved spending time with her grandchildren."
Mrs. Hemd was born March 18, 1923, in Koziany, Wilno,
Poland, and received an eighth grade education.
Deported to a concentration camp in WWII, she was the only
member of her family to survive the Holocaust.
Mrs. Hemd lived in Germany until 1949, when she came to New
York. She resided in Houston, Texas, from 1950-52, and moved to Denver in 1953.
She married Joseph Sydlow in 1948. The couple divorced in
1953.
In 1957, she married Jack Hemd. Mr. Hemd passed away May
19, 1986.
Mrs. Hemd was a production worker at Gates Rubber Company
for 30 years, receiving numerous company awards for attendance, safety and
service. She retired in October, 1982.
A gardener and cook, she enjoyed the outdoors, bicycling,
bingo, and going to Central City.
Surviving are three children, son Jan Krajewski of Arvada
and daughters Sara P. Hemd-Fritschler of Green Bay, Wisc., and Helen
Hemd-Fritschler of Denver; grandchildren Joel, Paige and Kelsey Sydlow, Karen,
Mark and Stefan Krajewski, Jack Fritschler and Nigel Fitzgerald.
Contributions may be made to Jewish Family Service of
Colorado.
—from the Intermountain Jewish News, November 22, 1996, p. 28.
IDA KATZ
[COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO - 1997]
Ida Katz, a Denver native and longtime supporter of the
Colorado Springs Jewish community, passed away Jan. 17, 1997, in Colorado
Springs.
Rabbi Howard Hirsch of Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs
officiated at the Jan. 19 service at Feldman Chapel. Interment followed at Rose
Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
The family also held a memorial service at Temple Shalom on
Jan. 20.
Mrs. Katz, who will be remembered for her humor,
generosity, hospitality and exceptional baking skills, was committed to Jewish
observance and the Jewish community, said Rabbi Hirsch.
Rabbi Hirsch compared Mrs. Katz to Job because she suffered
so many personal losses. Her daughter, Anise Katz Rabinowitz, was killed at age
19 in an automobile accident. Anise was on her honeymoon.
Mrs. Katz' husband, Louis, was murdered in 1969 during a
robbery at his store in Colorado Springs.
"My mother lived her life with purpose and devotion to
Judaism, and overcame the obstacles that came her way with a rare strength,"
said daughter Rae Katz. "She was a wonderful woman who was loved by everyone she
touched."
Mrs. Katz was born Feb 5, 1910, in Denver, to Riva and
Harris Katchen who immigrated to the US from Rotne, Russia.
A student at Cheltenham Elementary, Mrs. Katz graduated
from North High School.
Ida Katchen married Louis Katz on Dec. 14, 1929. Co-owners
for several years of a small grocery store on Lowell Boulevard and West Colfax
Avenue, the couple moved to Colorado Springs after WWII.
Mrs. Katz worked with her husband at their business, Leo's
Loan Office, for 25 years. Mr. Katz passed away Oct. 17, 1969.
Following her husband's death, she became a salesperson at
the Gray Rose, a dress shop in downtown Colorado Springs.
Mrs. Katz was very active in Temple Shalom. A past
president of Sisterhood, she helped out wherever she was needed, whether it was
in the kitchen or on a committee. She also belonged to Hadassah and the National
Council of Jewish Women and took an active interest in Denver's Hebrew
Educational Alliance.
Surviving is one daughter, Rae Katz of Denver.
—from the Intermountain Jewish News, January 24, 1997, p. 20.
PAM LEVINSON,
GRAPHICS DESIGNER, DIES AT AGE 52
[SAN FRANCISCO - 1997]
by Teresa Strasser
When Rabbi Alan Levinson met his wife on a blind date, he
knew instantly they would be a pair. Even though he was a rabbinical student and
she was "a Berkeley flower child," he was right.
They kissed that night, fell in love and were together
until the very end, when he held Pam Levinson's hand and watched his wife slip
away. She had arranged for her medicine to be given to poor cancer patients and
whispered, "I love you" to the man who had been her blind date 25 years before.
Pam Levinson died Feb. 12 at her San Francisco home. She
was 52.
Many in the Jewish community knew Levinson as the owner of
Levinson and Associates, an advertising and design firm that created logos and
graphics for many local Jewish agencies.
Some 150 to 200 people attended a memorial service held
Sunday at Sinai Memorial Chapel, including many Bay Area Jewish community
leaders.
To her husband, Levinson always remained as she appeared
that first night: an image of perfection.
It was 1969, soon after he arrived in California. He told a
cousin he had two desires: to see the musical "Hair" and to meet "one of those
hippy Berkeley girls." That was how he came to be fixed up with the San
Jose-bred designer.
He soon found out, however, that she was as comfortable
with the rich and famous whom she photographed for publicity projects as with
Berkeley types.
"She fit in everywhere," he says. "She was a master
swimmer, an award-winning graphic designer, a tap-dancer; she played the
saxophone and the piano, spoke four languages, wrote poetry, sewed; she was an
incredible baker. There was almost nothing you can think of that she couldn't
accomplish."
One of the first female art directors in San Francisco,
Levinson won more than 40 awards for her work. The Bay Area is dotted with her
designs, which included signage for the Marriott Hotel chain, the Sacramento
Rail-road Museum and logos and annual reports for companies like Genetech and
the Pacific Stock Exchange.
Friends described her as assertive, strong, ambitious and
courageous. Alan Levinson says his wife revealed those characteristics not only
in business but also in life. For his 50th birthday, for example, she pulled off
a complicated surprise that landed the couple in Paris.
"I thought we were just dropping friends off at the
airport," says Levinson. "But she said, `Happy birthday, Alan. We're going with
them, and kidnapped me.' "
She had arranged for several friends to be waiting in
France, wearing "Happy Birthday, Alan" T-shirts. While they were away, their San
Francisco home was being remodeled unbeknown to him.
Alan Levinson, who works at Northern California
Grantmakers, swears he didn't know a thing about the surprise vacation. "I was
making appointments, and she was unmaking them behind me."
One of the T-shirt-clad friends in Paris was San Francisco
attorney Steve Scherr. Levinson was his sister's college roommate, and the two
had been close friends ever since.
"She was the best friend you could possibly have: warm,
open, generous. She always gave of herself, but she was very strong-minded, with
definite ideas about right and wrong. Pam didn't pull her punches," remembers
Scherr.
Judy Berg met Levinson in 1975 when Berg converted to
Judaism at Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland, where Alan Levinson was executive
director. As female professionals and recent converts, the two women had much in
common, remembers Berg.
Levinson took her conversion very seriously, celebrating
her bat mitzvah at the Oakland Synagogue after converting, according to Berg.
"Converts are always very committed. You have to go through
so much to convert," explains Berg. "Pam assumed her place in Jewish life as if
it were a natural thing for her. She was fully committed to Judaism and really
participated. It became a very important piece of her life."
Despite a hectic work schedule and ever-widening social
circle, Levinson was never too busy to be a part of her husband's religious
duties. "I never did a wedding she didn't come to," says Alan Levinson. "That's
hundreds of weddings. She loved them, cried at all of them. She thought any
woman looked beautiful as a bride."
As an artist, Levinson was always noticing beauty, he says,
or the lack thereof. In fact, he says his wife insisted on leaving the hospital
in the last weeks of her illness because "she disliked the furniture."
"She thought it was distasteful, and was unhappy with the
color scheme. That was really why she went home."
Having watched the varying hues of his wife's personality
over the last quarter century, the rabbi says his wife passed away in what she
considered the appropriate garment, a rich magenta jacket "that had just been
bought at Nordstrom—on sale."
Levinson is survived by her father, Ramon Ensunsa, and
sisters Diana, Kristy and Toni Ensunsa, Jacki Kiyabu and Jodi Pitsillides.
Rabbis Pam Baugh of Congregation Or Sholom and Jerry Winston of BARAH officiated
along with Alan Levinson at the memorial service.
—from the San Francisco Jewish Bulletin February 21, 1997.
SLYVIA PLOTKIN
[PHOENIX, ARIZONA -1996]
Sylvia Plotkin, a former Seattle resident, died April 24.
She was 71.
The daughter of Isadore and Rose Pincus, and granddaughter
of Isaac and Yetta Kracower, Mrs. Plotkin graduated from Garfield High School
and the University of Washington with a degree in social work. While living in
Seattle she was president of the Seattle Jewish Youth Council and Phi Sigma
Sigma Sorority.
She met Rabbi Albert Plotkin, then an assistant rabbi at
Temple De Hirsch Sinai, in the house in which her parents had met 25 years
earlier. The couple married in 1949 and moved to Spokane and later to Phoenix
when Rabbi Plotkin became spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel in that city.
She founded the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum in Phoenix in
1966, and served as its volunteer curator. It came to be regarded as one of the
major Jewish museums in the United States.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Plotkin is survived by her
daughters, Janis Plotkin of Toronto; her brother Melvin and sister-in-law Bea
Pincus of Millbrae, Calif.; niece Judy Pincus of Sydney, Australia, and nephew
David Pincus of New York.
—from The Jewish Transcript of Phoenix
