Arnold (Arnie) Addison passed away peacefully on March 1 at his home in Los Gatos, at age 83. His legacy includes pioneering achievements in the automobile industry, leadership and philanthropy in the local community, and devotion to family and friends.

Throughout his life, Arnie generously contributed to his community. He believed that his purpose on Earth was to help others, and demonstrated this belief through compassion, leadership and charitable giving to numerous organizations.

He was a driving force in building Congregation Beth David and the Jewish Community Center in the Silicon Valley, contributing vision and financial resources for both. He loved how these institutions could bring individuals together and enrich their lives. The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center stands as a legacy to his commitment to community.

Maintaining an unwavering belief in the goodness of people throughout his life, Arnie constantly reached out to friends with phone calls, visits and financial aid to those around him.

Arnie once wrote, “My life has been a great adventure for me. I have always tried to handle myself with class and abide by the creed, ‘My word is my bond.’ I have tried to pass on that way of living to everyone around me.”

Arnie Addison is survived by his wife, Cookie; his children, Robin Sabes, Alana Addison and Steve Addison; and his grandchildren, Ilana (Aaron) Bergstrom, Michael, Elisa, Rachel and Nicole Sabes.

Funeral services were held at Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road in Saratoga, on Tuesday, March 5, with burial at Los Gatos Memorial Park in the Shalom Gardens at 2255 Los Gatos Almaden Road in San Jose.

A celebration honoring Arnie Addison’s life was held at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Road, in Los Gatos.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, or a charity of choice.

 

Pauline Szejnkestel Avner

Pauline Avner, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home.

In 1941, she was attending the Music Conservatory in Lvov when Nazi Germany attacked Russian-occupied Poland. Fleeing to her home of Vladimir Volynski, she, husband Rachmiel Morgenstern and her family were confined in the town ghetto. Her husband, mother and three sisters were killed. She hid and survived with a friend, sheltered by Polish families until liberated by the Russians in 1944.

She immigrated to New York in 1947, where she met her late husband Bernard Avner while learning English in night school. In 1949, their only child Fred was born. After a career in the garment industry and the death of her husband, she moved to San Mateo to be near her son and grandson. She led a full, active life continuing her study of piano, history and current events. She was a proud member of Peninsula Temple Beth El.

She now has joined her sisters Leah, Sonia, Esther, mother Frieda, father Menashe Szejnkestel and husbands. She is survived by her son Fred, grandson Barry Avner and extended family, Linda Larson Grossman, Peter Grossman and Barry’s brother William Grossman. The family gives thanks to caregivers Fipe, Remy and Pou as well as Jewish Family Services and nurse Jane Tobin and Dr. Gary Pasternack of Mission Hospice and Homecare.

 

Louis Fried

Born May 12, 1922 and died Jan. 27, 2013

Lou Fried’s father came over from Russia, was a hard worker, and brought over 37 family members to America. Lou Fried was a strong and determined man who built his own family house while still working 10 to 14 hours in his father’s laundry. He later made a career change from the laundry to stockbrokering, where he was a sharp and good steward of his clients’ money.

He was married 65 years to Virginia Fried. They were always a romantic couple, committed to each other and young at heart. Friends and relatives from Michigan and California loved to see them ballroom dancing. They danced together into their 80s. They were very outgoing and participated in Marriage Encounter and Elderhostel and went on several cruises. They delighted in each other. They joined two Havurahs at their temple and developed close relationships in both of them.

As soon as Lou retired, they moved to California because Virginia could not be away from the grandchildren any longer. They saw them often and watched them grow up.

After the mourning period for Virginia, Lou was independent-minded, fun-loving and feisty for three more years, until he died at age 90. Lou and Virginia were proud of their family and are survived by son and daughter Danny and Lauri Fried-Lee, grandsons Andrew Lee, Benjamin Duk and Martin Duk Fried-Lee, “granddaughter-in-law” Mie Ashihara and great-grandson Kenta Ashihara-Lee.

 

Pierre Hirsch

Nov. 28, 1950–Feb. 14, 2013

Pierre passed away peacefully at his home in Danville on February 14, 2013 after a five-year battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa; his loving daughter, April Hirsch, his brother, Michel, and sister-in law, Ruth.

Born in Louisiana, Pierre was known for his infectious smile, his sweet Louisiana charm, and that everlasting glitter of optimism in his eyes. He was a lover of music and fine food with a particular affection for Cajun cuisine and French desserts and, of course, a devoted LSU Tigers fan.

Pierre also loved to travel and had a huge appreciation for the world’s natural beauties. He recently fulfilled his biggest bucket list feat, on a safari to South Africa and Botswana with his family.

Though he was a successful VP of Investor Relations for many years, he never defined himself by his job. Instead, he defined himself by his relationships and what a lucky man he was to have so many amazing ones. Between his involvement in the Temple Isaiah community as a fundraising co-chair, spirited member of the choir and Anshei Isaiah participant, the Cancer Support Community as an orientation leader, and his role as a faithful pen-pal in UCSF’s Firefly Project, he touched the lives of so many.

It’s fitting that Pierre passed away on Valentine’s Day, the national day of love, as he had such a big heart, filled with so much love — for his family, friends and the world at large. May his strong sense of community, his positive attitude toward everything life presented, and his general good faith in people continue to be an inspiration to all who knew him.

Services were held at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette. Donations may be made to the Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

 

Bette Levin

Feb. 1, 1928–March 3, 2013

Bette Levin, née Henrietta Bette Stern, passed away on March 3, 2013, at the age of 85 after a short illness. A native San Franciscan and lifelong resident of the city, Bette started her career as an R.N. at Mount Zion Hospital, where she met her future husband, Sidney Levin, M.D., with whom she had a close and loving partnership for four decades until his untimely passing.

While raising their three children, Bette earned a second degree in museum studies from S.F. State, and worked as a docent and curator at the de Young Museum, where she was instrumental in developing the ethnic art collection from Africa and the Americas. Bette also developed a private practice as a credentialed art appraiser and dealer of Judaica, training her daughter Lauren in the business. An accomplished painter, Bette participated in many art exhibits while also maintaining an active family life and instilling in her kids a love of the outdoors through regular Sierra Club family wilderness adventures.

In later years Bette joined Sid on expeditions on the S.F. Bay aboard their sailboat, fly fishing trips and travels throughout the country and around the globe, often in search of ethnic art. Other pursuits included a stint running a popular bed-and-breakfast in Mendocino in partnership with her son Dan and daughter-in-law Maria.

Bette became an ardent Zionist when her oldest son, Bruce, moved to Israel with his wife, Esther, also becoming a voracious consumer of Mideast news. A hostess par excellence, Bette was known for her gourmet cooking and elegant dinners that brought together friends and family in her tastefully designed home. When she moved into the San Francisco Towers, Bette’s love of entertaining continued as she regularly invited family and friends to join her in the Towers’ dining room.

Bette deeply loved and was beloved by her children Bruce Levin, Lauren Hyman and Dan Levin, their spouses Esther Levin, Larry Hyman and Maria Levin, six grandchildren: Leslie Hyman, Ben Hyman, Ami Levin and his wife Maya, Yair Levin and his wife Hannah, Roi Levin, and Ishai Levin, and great-granddaughter Tamar Levin, all of whom survive her. She also adored Maxi, Dan and Maria’s Bichon Frise, whom she considered as her grand dog. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 5 at Sinai Memorial Chapel in San Francisco. Donations to the Bette Levin Memorial Garden in Israel, c/o Jewish National Fund; call (800) 542-8733 and refer to project HN133009.

 

Perry William Taub

April 21, 1956–Feb. 22, 2013

In Rancho Mirage at age 56. Beloved partner of Charles Church; loving brother of John and Mary Taub. Dear son of the late Theodore and Judith Taub.

Perry was born in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to Los Altos, Calif., in 1959 with his family.

Perry graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Psychology. He went on to become a health insurance broker for 30 years. He was also a real estate broker. Perry had a magnetic personality that brought people together. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Jewish National Fund, 870 Market St., #668, S.F., CA 94102 would be kindly appreciated.