Barbara Cerf Baer

Barbara passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on Dec. 26, 2011. She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Monroe, and her loving daughter Leslie and son-in-law Rogers Carrington, and her loving son Larry and daughter-in-law Pam. Grandma will be forever missed by four adoring grandchildren — Alana, Zachary, Jonathan and Joshua.

Barbara was born on March 16, 1929 to Laurence Cerf and Pearl Welk Cerf. She lived her entire life in the city she loved. In fact, she lived virtually all her life within a 30-block radius of her most recent home of 36 years. Barbara was a proud graduate of Aragon Elementary School, Presidio Middle School and Lowell High School. She was confirmed at Congregation Emanuel-El.

Barbara attended U.C. Berkeley but left school to go to work and support her mother. Her father passed away at age 13. Barbara worked in downtown department stores in San Francisco through the ‘50s. She met Monroe at a party and reacquainted at a downtown Muni bus stop as they both returned from a day at work. Their 57-year marriage featured enjoyable travel as she raised Leslie and Larry, including frequent summer sojourns to Lake Tahoe and Carmel. Barbara, however, always felt most comfortable “at home” in her well-worn neighborhood of the city.

Barbara enjoyed volunteering through the years at the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco and Sisterhood of Congregation Emanuel-El.

Barbara delighted in the joy of her grandchildren, taking them on excursions to lunch and toy shopping downtown or in Laurel Village, as her mother and dear aunt, Hazel Eisenberg, had done so frequently with Leslie and Larry.

The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Dr. James Davis for his extraordinary medical care. Also, deep gratitude to Barbara’s wonderful caregivers including Rosario Rivera and Willie Mae Benson.

A memorial service was held at Congregation Emanu-El on Dec. 30, 2011. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Barbara’s name to the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, Congregation Emanu-El Sisterhood, or a charity of your choice.

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Karl M. Blick

Oct. 31, 1915 – Dec. 30, 2011

Born Karl Maximilian Augenblick, in Vienna, Austria, Karl grew up in Lvov, Poland and had one younger brother, Severyn. Karl’s dream was to become an architect, but the war broke out and he was mobililzed for work in Besarabia, Romania. Karl was later sent to work in Siberia where he spent five years. His family perished in the Holocaust.

In 1946, Karl met Zelma Warhaftig in Byttom, Poland in a “kibbutz” seedling. They moved to a Displaced Person’s camp in Saalfelden, Austria, where Karl worked for the U.N. Refugee Agency, creating false travel documents, which allowed a large number of survivors to make their way clandestinely to Palestine. Karl and Selma married there in 1949.

Karl and Selma immigrated to Australia and after five years moved to the U.S. They settled in San Francisco, with Selmas’s mother, Rose, in 1954.

Karl worked for Gilbert Clark Stationers for 35 years and retired at 80. He was a longtime member of Congregation Ner Tamid and B’nai B’rith.

Karl is survived by his wife, Selma, of 62 years of marriage; son Steve (Patricia); daughter Ann (Salek); and granddaughters Danielle and Ilana.

Karl will always be remembered for his brilliant smile, his remarkable optimism and the twinkle in his eye. Donations in Karl’s memory may be made to Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara, San Francisco, CA 94116.

George B. Good

George B. Good passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Dec. 17, 2011. He was born in Budapest, Hungary on May 18, 1924. His wife, Renee Good, and family were by his side. He was a Holocaust survivor. He worked at the San Francisco Chronicle for many years.

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Rebecca Camhi Fromer

Jan. 16, 1927 – Jan. 1, 2012

In San Francisco at age 84. Beloved wife of the late Seymour Fromer; loving mother of Mira Amiras (Erin Vang); adoring grandmother of Michael (Alana) Zussman and Rayna Savrosa (Nick Curley). Rebecca was a writer and poet. She and Seymour were co-founders of the Magnes Museum in Berkeley. Memorial services were held Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Chabad House Berkeley. Donations may be made to the Fromer Fund through the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay.

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