Moving on
Susan Mall and Paula Goren, longtime staffers at the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, are moving on. Goren, who is retiring, has most recently been the “go-to” person for retirement plan info for the federation and agency family. She’s also been responsible for tons of quirky humored handmade cards for fellow fed folk and could be counted on to don polka dots, hats, or Halloween costumes when called for. She’s been at the federation since 1980, with the exception of a two-year break when her husband’s job took them to Washington, D.C.
While Goren has wielded her calculator and done a plethora of paperwork behind the scenes, Mall’s very visible job began nearly 20 years ago when she organized the community celebration for Israel’s 40th anniversary — including a “Night of Jewish Humor.” She later headed the staff for the United Jewish Communities’ (UJC) international General Assembly in San Francisco, and led leadership missions to Cuba and the Slavic countries, among others. She’s also the co-founder of the annual “Susan Gathering.” Not retiring yet, as of Sept. 1, she will be the director of community and donor relations at the new Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Fund-raising, etc.
Northern California boasted 13 participants among 100 on American Technion Society’s annual mission to Israel, which raised a whopping $49 million for the Technion Institute in Haifa. The 13 travelers included Daniel and Nancy Altman and Barbara Rothblatt of Berkeley, Janice Berkman of Gold River (outside Sacramento), Jerry Cohen of Walnut Creek, Lorry Lokey and Joanne Harrington of Atherton, Paul Harrington of San Jose, Esther and Norman Harris of Hillsborough, Frank Meyer of San Francisco, and Myrna and Hyman Mitchner of Los Altos.
Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living in Danville has been recognized by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living with a Step II Quality Award for its “highest standards” of programming, health delivery and staff excellence. Reutlinger is one of 10 recipients (out of 90 considered) and the only one in California. Mazel Tov!
The Jewish Home in San Francisco has received rave reviews for its new publication, Jewish Senior Living. Copies are available at [email protected].
Short shorts
New staff members at the East Bay Jewish Community Federation include Sean Mandell, federation campaign director, and Stephanie Levin and Toba Strauss at the Center for Jewish Living and Learning … Stanford University’s Dr. David Spiegel’s presentation on childhood abuse and suicide, given at an international conference on suicide in Montreal last month, was covered by the Montreal Gazette … Camp Tawonga’s Deborah Newbrun has been selected to participate in the Executive Leadership Institute, a new initiative likened to an MBA for Jewish camping professionals, sponsored by the Foundation for Jewish Camping … Naphtali Knox of Palo Alto was among 45 urban planners from 22 states inducted into the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Three local educators were among 34 participants in a June educational training program in Eastern European Jewish history and Yiddish culture sponsored by YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. They are Myrna Goodman of Sonoma State University, Fred Rosenbaum of Lehrhaus Judaica, and Ilona Schechter of Gideon Hausner Day School … Kudos to Brandeis Hillel Day School and Harvard grad Julie Bernstein Silverstein who has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student scholarship to Israel in Public Administration/Policy for the 2006-2007 academic year.
This columnist can be reached at [email protected].