Chaim Friend Our beloved father Chaim Friend died Wednesday May 16, peacefully and gracefully, free from pain, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 87 years old.

Chaim dedicated his professional life to serving Jewish communal organizations, including as a fundraiser for the United Jewish Appeal, development director for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations/Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion, B’nai B’rith, the West Point Jewish Chapel Fund and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

His personal life embodied his passionate commitment to his family and loved ones. He served on the boards of directors of the Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family and Children’s’ Service of the East Bay and the Interfaith Council of Rossmoor, where he was an avid participant in the Yiddish Club and “discussion group” (as the political debating society is politely known).

Chaim served in combat in the U.S. Army during World War II and in the Quartermaster Corps in occupied Europe, where he applied his good offices to getting Jewish refugees to Palestine. After the war, he went into the import-export business and diversified into running guns for the Jewish liberation forces. He is survived by his son and daughter and their families: Gil Friend and Jane Byrd; Julie Friend and Philip Dreyfus and their daughters Madeleine and Rebecca; and his “significant other” Roz Zittell.

Funeral services took place in the Redwood Chapel at Oakmont Memorial Park, 2099 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, Calif. on Friday May 18 at 10 a.m. If you are so moved, make gifts in his memory to Jewish Family and Children Services of the East Bay. Please do not send flowers. Arrangements made by Sinai Memorial Chapel.

Lawrence V. Russell In Clearlake, Calif. on May 13, 2007.  Beloved son of the late Walter Norman Russell and the late Elizabeth Goldberg Zimmerman.  Dear cousin of Gloria Thomas and nephew of Rose Croxton.

Active member of Columbia Lodge #283 F.& A.M. A previous Radio Officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines and a cab driver owner.

Gravesite services were held on Sunday, May 20 at 1 p.m. at Eternal Home Cemetery, 1051 El Camino Real, Colma. Arrangements made by Sinai Memorial Chapel.

Hana Scheiter At home in San Francisco on May 18, 2007 at age 92. Dearly beloved wife of the late Max Scheiter; cherished mother of Susana Maria Scheiter and the late Catalina Zdenka Scheiter and Eva Scheiter; pre-deceased by her beloved sister-in-law Elsa Zentner and nephew, Paul Zentner; devoted great-aunt of Lisa Balton (Chris) and John Zentner (Sarah);  adored great-grand aunt of Elsa and Liam Balton and Matteo Zentner;  loved by all her extended family, the Koppl, Zimmerman, Lackenbacher, Clawson and Novak families.

A long-time member of Congregation Ner Tamid in San Francisco. She will be deeply missed by all. Funeral services were held at Home of Peace Cemetery Chapel, Colma, with interment to follow at Salem Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, preferred contributions to Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara St., San Francisco, CA 94116. Arrangements made by Sinai Memorial Chapel.

Beatrice Spetner Greenberg Sept. 24, 1923 through May 11, 2007. Bea died in Santa Cruz, Calif. on May 11 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was born in Baltimore, Md. to Sara and Saul Spetner. She led her life with a passion and devotion that was especially clear in her love for her children and grandchildren, and her sister’s children and grandchild.

Bea was a successful businesswoman for many years. She had a deep appreciation of Yiddishkeit and for things of beauty. She enjoyed her plants, listening to opera, singing in the Temple choir and kibitzing with her Yiddish Club. A true eshet chayil throughout her years, Bea provided unselfish and unwavering support for everyone who needed it, never allowing her physical limitations to prevent her from caring for others. She was a guiding light for so many of us, making the world a better place with her wonderful and kind spirit.

Bea was pre-deceased by Leo, her husband of 58 years, and her younger sister and closest friend, Dubbie Prinz. Bea is terribly missed by her family who survive her, especially her daughter Rivka and husband Ken; her daughter Sue and partner Robin; her son Mitch and partner Kelly; and her grandchildren Hadara and husband Jerry, Shawna, Shira, and Mayan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bea’s memory to the Spondylitis Association of America, P.O. Box 5872, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 www.spondylitis.org or to the Yiddish Club at Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, CA 95003.