Sophie Kewman Davidoff

Sophie Kewman Davidoff, beloved wife of Samuel Davidoff who predeceased her, daughter of Dora and Louis Kewman, born November 29, 1914, passed peacefully on June 21st surrounded by loving family. Sophie is survived by daughter Darsha, sons Steele and Guy, son-in law Don, daughters-in-law Marsha and Liz, grandchildren Shauna, Jenna, Anique, Blake, Ethan, Samuel, Daniella and Adam and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews and friends.

Sophie lived in San Francisco most of her adult life. Following a successful career for over 25 years as a Deputy Clerk for the U.S. District Court, Sophie retired and was an active volunteer at San Francisco Children’s Hospital. Sophie was most joyful surrounded by her family and grandchildren, challenging her friends to a good card game or tossing dice on a Reno craps table.

We want to thank Connie Ramirez and Thelma Espinales for their dedication and loving care and support of Sophie. She will be missed dearly.

Private funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.

Myrtle (Hadassah) Nieder

Myrtle (Hadassah) Nieder died on June 8 with her daughters at her side. She is survived by 4 children: Joseph (Helaine), Robert (Barbara), Marilyn (Morton) Neril and Julie (Phillip) Leibowitz , 12 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Born in Chicago, she attended the University of Chicago and Northwestern University and lived there until moving to Walnut Creek in 1976. During some of her years in Chicago, she taught preschool and elementary school and was known for her abundant patience. Myrtle was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Samuel.

Myrtle Nieder had a robust life filled with family, friends, festivals and food. She valued all of them and approached her life with gusto. Always looking for the next project or activity, she was abuzz with interest in the world. Whether she was working on a quilt for the soon-to-be-born great-grandchild or writing a column on an upcoming Jewish holiday, Myrtle didn’t believe in being idle. In later life, she became interested in reading while continuing to do hundreds of laps across the Rossmoor pool, reaching 5,000 miles, or working out in the fitness center.

She and her husband, Sam, were often the first people to welcome newcomers to the community. Their house, like Abraham and Sarah’s tent, was always open, containing chicken dishes, eggplant extravaganzas, and varied cookies and cakes. She was a lifelong learner, clipping news articles on wellness and cooking, with sound nutrition in mind.  Myrtle doted on her grandchildren and deserves credit for transmitting to them a love of Judaism and a zest for life.

Myrtle was active in the Contra Costa JCC, was a life member of Hadassah, a leader of Erev Shabbat services at Rossmoor Congregation B’nai Israel, a long-time member and Haftarah reader at Congregation B’nai Shalom, and a member of ORT and National Council of Jewish Women.

Contributions in Myrtle’s memory to Congregation B’nai Israel, Diablo Valley Hadassah, ORT or the Jewish National Fund would be appreciated.

Fred Roth

Fred Roth, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2013 at The, Sequoias in San Francisco with his loving wife Dora by his side. They were devoted to each other for 64 years. He is survived by his loving family; daughter Karen, granddaughters Rebecca and Elizabeth, and son-in-law Richard. 

Fred was born in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, on August 26, 1920. He spent the war years serving in the Czech division of the British Army Tank Corp under Montgomery. He survived Dunkirk and participated in the liberation of Europe. After the war while working in a resort in Czechoslovakia he met the love of his life, Dora. They married and left for Israel where they lived for 7 years and gave birth to their daughter, Karen. They moved to the United States and lived for a brief time on the East Coast where Fred worked in different hotels and restaurants until they decided to move to San Francisco. Fred worked in different capacities at the Fairmont Hotel for over 25 years spending his last years as a catering manager. He loved planning and creating memorable events from weddings to large conventions. 

He was passionate about snow skiing and traveling. He skied into his seventies and some of his greatest joy was watching his granddaughters fly down the slopes with him following. His other passion was drawing and he was an avid painter.

Memorial services will be held at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park in Colma, California on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Sequoias – SF Health Center Fund, Senior Services for Northern California, 1525 Post St., San Francisco, CA  94109-6567.

Alvin L. Schwarzbach

In Daly City on June 12, 2013 at age 87. Beloved husband of Denise Schwarzbach for 55 years; loving father of Leslie, Karen, and David (Tara) Schwarzbach and grandfather of Daniel, Benjamin and Joshua Pollak and Adar, Kyla and Nava Schwarzbach; dear uncle of George Fleet.

Al was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 4, 1925. After serving as an Officer in the United States Navy, he attended Purdue University in Indiana where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Al moved to California with his family in 1959 and enjoyed a long career in commercial real estate, including Vice President of Real Estate Negotiations with Wells Fargo Bank, until his retirement.

He was a well respected, admired and active member of the Daly City community serving as President of the Jefferson Elementary School Board, participating on several local Bond Committees along with other civic duties. He was the recipient of the Silver Beaver award, the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor, participated in various fund-raising efforts for the Girl Scouts of America and was a generous contributor to numerous Jewish organizations and charities.

Private services were held on June 23, 2013 at Home of Peace Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Schwarzbach Family Fund at Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, 2150 Post St., SF, CA 94115 would be kindly appreciated.

He will be remembered with great affections.