Dr. Ralph S. Benard passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family in San Francisco, on April 8, 2008, at age 93. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Benard was a graduate of City College of New York and served with distinction in WWII in the Pacific Theatre. After serving in the Army reserves, Dr. Benard moved to San Francisco and received his Doctorate of 
Podiatric Medicine in 1949. During his six decades of private practice, Dr. Benard provided care and a warm bedside manner to thousands of patients in San Francisco.

Dr. Benard is survived by his beloved wife, Sarah Berger Benard, of 59 years. Loving father of Richard (Mary) Benard, Dr. Jay (Regina) Benard and Charles Benard. Adoring grandfather of Arielle and Joshua Benard, Daniel and Cory Frick and Phillip Christopher. Dear brother of Belle Grusky and Daniel Benard. Uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at Sinai Memorial Chapel. Donations to Jewish Community Foundation, 121 Steuart St., San Francisco, CA 94105, preferred.

Louise Henriques Mann. Age 98, of Menlo Park, CA, passed away peacefully in her home on April 6, 2008. Born September 14, 1909 in Palo Alto, Louise was the fifth of nine children of Jacob and Julia Levin, Palo Alto’s pioneering Jewish family.

A woman of remarkable beauty and intelligence, known for her dignity, sense of humor and infectious laugh, Louise lived a long and loving life dedicated to her family, work and community. After graduating from Palo Alto High School, Louise began her career in finance as one of the first female tellers at Bank of Palo Alto. Through the Depression years, she worked her way up the ladder to become manager of the bank’s loan department.

In 1937 Louise married the love of her life, Fred Henriques. The couple founded the very successful Palo Alto-based interior design company, Henriques Interiors, and had two children, Susan and Stephen, upon whom they doted.

In 1956, together with Fred, her cousin Gerald Marcus and other like-minded families, Louise helped found Temple Beth Am, Palo Alto’s first Reform Temple. Louise was elected as a founding board member.

When her beloved husband Fred passed away in 1959, Louise turned back to finance. Ever the trailblazer, she became one of the first female stockbrokers on the West Coast, retiring from Dean Witter in 1974.

Shortly thereafter, Louise married her loving second husband Milton Mann. The couple spent their golden years traveling the world and enjoying their friends, family and especially their grandchildren.

In 2003, determined not to let her memories disappear, Louise wrote and published her memoirs, “The Mishpucah — Growing Up Jewish in Early Palo Alto.” Her book is still available at Kepler’s Bookstore and at bob and bob’s.

Louise was a lifelong advocate for women’s rights. She often remarked, “If brains are divided equally between men and women and we are not using all of them, then we are short-changing ourselves.” Over the years Louise gave generously to Planned Parenthood, The Jewish Community Endowment Fund, the Jewish Welfare Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council among many other organizations.

Louise is survived by her brother Sydney Levin and sister Dorie Smolen; her children Susan Washington-Smyth and Stephen Henriques, their spouses respectively, Ian Smyth and Cilene Peres, her stepson Dr. Charles Mann and his wife Barbara; her grandchildren Omar Washington, Sierra Washington, Daniel Peres Gomez and Dennis Peres Gomez; her step-grandchildren Benjamin, Rachael, Jeremy and Yona Mann; and many nieces, nephews and cousins for whom she was the family standard bearer. Louise will also be missed by the many friends and associates she has touched and inspired throughout her life.

Contributions can be made in her memory to Planned Parenthood, 1605 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126. The family wishes to thank Pathways Hospice of Sunnyvale for providing exceptional care and comfort to Louise as her health declined.

Harry Samuel Rosenbloom, died April 13th, 2008. Beloved son of the late Louis Joshua and the late Bessie Goldstein Rosenbloom; beloved brother of S. Eugene (Harriet) Rosenbloom and Marjorie Rosenbloom (the late Julius) Berg; beloved uncle of Robert (Lisa) Rosenbloom, Bettyann (Brent) Slatten, Jane Charbonneau, Andy (Ellen) Berg and Janice Berg (Phil Levinson); beloved great uncle of Philip and Kate Rosenbloom, Lauren Elizabeth Slatten, Derek and Madison Charbonneau and Jeremy and Joshua Levinson; beloved cousin and friend. A kind, loyal, smart, gentle, patriotic man and artist who enjoyed music, photography, film and family. A true “renaissance” man. He was dearly loved and will be missed. Contributions preferred to: Jewish Family and Children’s Services of East Bay; COA; 828 San Pablo Avenue, #404; Albany, CA 94706 or charity of choice. Services Friday, April 18th, 12:30 pm at The Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5801 Midway Rd., Dixon, CA. For further information, or to send a message to the family, contact Mandel Funeral Services of Northern California at 1-866-962-6335 or www.mandelfuneralservices.com.

Sidney (Sid) Weitzner. Age 90, passed away on March 26, 2008 after a short, but courageous fight. Born in Chicago on February 5, 1918 (to Joseph and Bertha Weitzner), Sid and his late brother Max moved to the S.F. Bay Area. In 1956, Sid married Lea Berzon, his wife of 50 years until her passing in 2006. Sid worked for many years as a jewelry salesman at Milens Jewelers in Oakland.

He was a longtime member of Beth Jacob Congregation (Oakland) and a 32nd degree mason. Sid will be sorely missed for his positive outlook on life and the love and kindness he gave to his wife Lea, his only child (son Sanford), and all family and friends. Sid passed away with his son, niece Sharon and caregiver Veloa by his side. Also present was Rabbi Judah Dardik of Beth Jacob, who has been a great inspiration to the Weitzner family through the troubled times. Sid is survived by son Sanford, nieces Sharon Larson and Sara Sink, as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Interment was on March 27, 2008 at the Home of Peace Cemetery in Oakland. Donations in Sid’s memory may be made to the Shriners Hospitals or to BJC Oakland.