Eleanor Glaser
With deep sorrow, the Glaser family announces the death of their beloved Eleanor who passed away peacefully at home on June 18, 2016, after an extended illness.
Eleanor (Elly) was a very unique person who greatly enjoyed life and her family. Eleanor Jane Keller was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1923 and raised in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. She started college but then decided to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1944. After being honorably discharged two years later, she continued her studies at the University of Michigan, graduating with a B.A. degree in Social Work.
Upon graduation she worked as an executive secretary to the President of the National Association of Parents and Teachers in Chicago. She met her future husband, Ernest (Ernie) Glaser, on a blind date in Chicago. They married in 1957 and immediately started a family, having son Robert (Bob) in 1958 and William (Bill) in 1960. While there, she not only enjoyed raising her family but also her avocation in journalism, working as a freelance writer for the Jewish Post and Opinion.
The family moved to California in 1966 and settled in Moraga where their boys grew up. After joining Temple Isaiah in 1967, they became active in the Temple community as Chairpersons of the Social Committee as well as organizing the settlement of a Vietnamese Boat Family, followed by bringing a Russian Jewish immigrant family into their community. With interest in archaeology, Elly and Ernie spent part of a summer in Israel on an archaeological dig and led a Seniors Mission to Israel the following year.
With numerous and varied interests, Elly became a docent at the Oakland Museum, volunteered at the Judah Magnes Museum, the Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, and feeding the hungry at Loaves and Fishes.
Perhaps most importantly for her, the studies in social work and her journalistic instincts lead her to a long association with the Oral History Department of the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley, where she became an interviewer and editor. Among the projects she specialized in was a biography of many past Presidents of the San Francisco Jewish Federation. She was also one of the participants in interviewing friends and associates of Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren.
Elly and Ernie made their home in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, in 2003 and developed a number of new friends there. The family wants to thank the Angels’ network of Temple Isaiah and the Hospice of the East Bay for their caring support during this difficult time and most importantly her cousin and constant caregiver, Debbie Jones, who spent many hours and days by her bedside.
Elly will be greatly missed by her many friends but most by her husband, Ernie, sons, Bob and Bill, her daughter-in-law Amy, former daughter-in-law Karen, her grandchildren Sam, Josh and Sarah, her brother Arthur Keller in Miami Beach, nephews Judd and Debbie Keller in Nebraska, Tom and Tony Keller of Florida, Bill Keller of Detroit, and her cousins Sandy Cooperman in Pennsylvania and Henry Cohn of Petaluma.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(925) 962-3636
Golda Miller, at the age of 91, passed away at Valley Medical Hospital on June 1. She was born on March 16, 1925, in Harbin, China to Hemia and Fania Galperin. Golda, her sister Sonia and parents moved to Shanghai where she attended Cambridge Schools. At the age of 19, Golda went to San Francisco to study at City College and start her career.
In San Francisco, she met and married Isaac Miller, also from Shanghai, and later moved to San Jose where she worked for G.E., while Isaac worked for IBM. They hosted family and friends at frequent parties at their home, traveled the world, participated in athletic and gourmet clubs and gave generously to causes they believed in. When Isaac passed away in 1987, Golda devoted herself to family and other favorite passions. As a promoter of the arts, she volunteered as a docent at the Beethoven Society and supported young musicians in the Santa Clara Valley. She also volunteered for many years at the Village House in Los Gatos, where she made deep and lasting friendships. She loved attending the symphony, the theater, cooking for friends, her dog Paige, the flowers in her garden and shopping at Trader Joe’s.
She was a fierce defender of Democratic presidents and was not shy in giving her opinions. She played bridge for many years, winning many tournaments and was the last of her group to pass (as promised, a deck of cards was placed in her casket). Golda is known for her friendship, generosity and hospitality. Everyone was always welcome at Golda’s table, no matter their race, religion or sexual orientation. Golda is survived by her adopted daughter, stepdaughter, niece and nephew. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, a grandnephew and a grandniece. She loved them all dearly. Golda touched and changed the lives of many and will be greatly missed.
Services will be held at Temple Emanu-El on June 26 at 10:30 a.m. The Temple is located at 1010 University Ave, San Jose, California.
Irwin Reinharz, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away Sunday evening, June 12, 2016. Born August 4, 1955 to Perla and the late Samuel Reinharz. Brother to Bette Blanchard and Uncle to Kim and Mike Blanchard. He was a proud San Francisco resident all of his life.
He was very fond of his childhood, and one of his favorite pastimes was playing ball in the schoolyard with all his friends. He attended Washington High School while working at Safeway; then he went on to San Francisco State where he graduated with a B.A. in Business.
Unfortunately, Irwin, at the age of 23, was diagnosed with spinal ependymoma, which resulted in him being permanently disabled for the remainder of his life. He was given a short period of time to live, but he lived another 38 happy years. Rest assured his disability did not hinder his wit, brilliance and zest for life.
His biggest passion was music. Growing up, he collected records and attended many concerts. He could answer just about any music trivia question you had for him. His favorite bands included Tower of Power, the Beatles and the Temptations. Irwin loved his sports, and was a dedicated S.F. Giants and 49er fan.
He will be truly missed by his family and friends. Services were held Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at Salem Memorial Park. Memorial donations can be made to the Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco.
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(415) 921-3636