Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area.

Ann (Kalechman) Blumenfeld 
April 18, 1934 – August 18, 2017

“An excellent life,” Ann Kalechman Blumenfeld summed up before passing away at home with family, hospice, and caregivers. Having endured COPD, she now rests.

This fourth-generation San Franciscan, daughter of Bill and Aimee (Goldtree) Kalechman, hailed from the Marina District. Following Lowell High School and a short stint at “Cal” she had a beautiful marriage of 63 years to Gordon Blumenfeld. They moved to Marin County in 1957 to raise a family. Ann was proud of her son, Michael Blumenfeld; her daughter, Diane Blumenfeld-Schaap; her grandchildren, “incredibly brilliant, wonderful citizens of the world,” Anna and William Blumenfeld and Bren and Maya Schaap; and her son-in-law, Wieger Schaap.

Ann loved good books, travel, history, and excellent food and libations. Friends, both living and sorely missed, knew her listening ear and readiness to share. Since moving to Petaluma in 1989, she volunteered for many community causes. Ann dedicated attention to hospice, Cancer Society, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Petaluma schools, Boys & Girls Club, and Children’s Museum of Sonoma County.

Those who knew and loved Ann are grateful for many wonderful memories: her lively discussions, her sophisticated taste, her laugh.

Ann’s family will mark her passing in private. People may wish to donate in her memory to their charity of choice. Online condolences at AdobeCreekFuneralHome.com

---

Margot Edith Feibusch Braun

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1923. As a result of the Hitler regime and persecution, she escaped with her mother and father to England in March of 1939 on a temporary visa. World War II started in September of 1939, keeping the family in England until October 1948. In spite of many difficulties their visa for the United States was finally granted and they arrived in San Francisco to join more family. It was a hard struggle to make a new start. Margot married Helmut Braun in September 1955. He predeceased Margot in 1972.

Margot worked in the insurance business for many years before she retired in 1988. In 2005 she moved to the Sequoias Retirement Home.

She is survived by her Feibusch cousins and nieces, Stephanie Blythe, Renee Augins and Robin Braun, and her grandniece Gentle Blythe and grandnephew Geoffrey Blythe and families.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the Sequoias, 1400 Geary Blvd., San Francisco.

Donations in Margot’s memory may be made to Congregation Ner Tamid, 1250 Quintara Street, San Francisco, California 94116 or to the charity of your choice.

---

Gary Goldberg, a native San Franciscan and long-time resident of Foster City and Hillsborough, died on August 17. He was 70 years old.

Gary was born on November 11, 1946. He was the first of two children born to parents Leonard and Blanche (Phillips). He became bar mitzvah at Congregation Beth Israel and graduated from Lincoln High School, where his big personality served him well as one of the school’s yell leaders. Go Mustangs!

Gary was active in AZA and, while Regional Gadol (president) of Central Region West AZA, he met the love of his life and future wife, Linda Pollock, who was Regional N’siah (president) of Central Region West BBG. They were married for 49 years and raised two daughters, Kimberly and Karen, who gave them five grandsons.

Gary graduated from Golden Gate University in 1969 and become a CPA. He worked in San Francisco for 12 years before opening his own practice in 1981. Gary served clients from his Foster City office for more than 30 years, with Linda by his side as director of operations.

Gary and Linda traveled extensively, often with their children and grandchildren, including frequent trips to Maui and a recent 70^th birthday cruise to Alaska. Gary loved being with others; regularly opening his home for Jewish holidays, poker games, and pool parties, and people loved being with him.

Gary could be found on the golf course most Wednesdays between April 16 and Dec. 31, with a club in one hand and a scotch or cigar in the other. He was an avid 49ers fan and had season tickets for 37 years (he liked Candlestick Park better).

Gary served on the boards of Peninsula Temple Sholom, Friends for Youth, and the BBYO Advisory Council. He also remained active at Lincoln High, organizing several reunions.

In addition to his wife and daughters, Gary is survived by a sister, Nancy Goldberg of Novato, sons-in-law Darin Leviloff of Foster City and Rabbi Chuck Briskin of Rancho Palos Verdes, and five grandchildren: Cody, Joshua and Benjamin Leviloff; and Ezra and Avishai Briskin.

Donations in Gary’s memory can be made to BBYO Central Region West, 800 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City, CA, 94404 or at BBYO.org.

---

Philip Harris of Orinda, CA passed away with grace and in peace on Aug. 15, 2017.

Philip was born in San Francisco on March 30, 1924. He had three brothers, all of whom pre-deceased him. Just like each of his brothers, he was tall, smart, handsome and athletic his entire life. He was a standout high school and college basketball player. But his education was interrupted by the start of World War II. In early 1942 he and his identical twin brother Ted joined the army and shipped off together to New Guinea, where they spent the rest of the war together in the same Signal Corps unit.

Upon returning home, Philip married the late Paula Cooper of San Francisco and began his long and stellar career in the movie theater industry, rising from manager to successful SF Bay Area movie theater owner.

Philip loved all sports, especially tennis. He traveled the world to watch major tennis tournaments including the Olympics. Philip was well known in the East Bay Jewish community. He was a strong but quiet supporter of the Jewish Federation. He was deeply committed to the successful funding and development of the East Bay Home for Jewish Living that eventually was built and is thriving today as The Reutlinger Community in Danville, CA. He served as an early principal fundraiser, its board president, and, in later years, a trustee. He believed that giving back was a privilege and a responsibility, and he lived those words, preferring to make his own contributions quietly or anonymously.

Philip left behind a large, devoted and loving family. In 1969 he married Rachel (Simon) who remained the love of his life for 48 magical years. Their marriage created a blended family of 6 children: Dr. Robert Simon of Mission Viejo, CA; Philip Harris III of Whitefish, Montana; Cindy Simon Harris of Mountain View, CA; Randall Harris of Oakland, CA; Janet Harris of Del Mar, CA; James Simon of Walnut Creek, CA; and their respective spouses: JoAnn Simon, Donna Harris, Larry Harris, Belinda Harris, Michael Newman, and Marla Simon.

Philip had 10 beloved grandchildren: Jacob Simon, Jon Simon, Scott Harris, Matthew Harris, David Harris, Coco (Harris) Morante, Arielle (Simon) Parkos, Zachary Simon, Tyler Harris Gregory, and Sari Harris Gregory; and 4 great-grandchildren: Anita Simon, Elliot Simon, Maya Aminova Harris, and Miles Aminova Harris.
Interment services will be private.

Donations can be made to The Reutlinger Community in Danville, CA; the Jewish Federation of the East Bay; or Hospice of the East Bay.

---

Surrounded by family, Beth Davis Karren passed away peacefully after a brief battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain tumor.

Beth was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Ira Davis and the late Min Silverstein Davis. After graduating at the top of her class from Ottawa Hills High School in 1959, she attended Cornell University. A member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority and an English major, she graduated in 1963. When trying to decide between law school on the West or East Coast, her mother said: “Go west, young woman.” She enrolled in Boalt Law School at UC Berkeley, one of eight women in a class of 300, in the fall of 1963.

Shortly after moving to Berkeley, a friend introduced Beth to Fred Karren. They were married in 1964 in Toledo at her childhood home, the beginning of a wonderful 53-year marriage. Fred was the love of her life. Their daughter, Leslie Karren, who was the apple of Beth’s eye, was born in 1967. Together, they enjoyed many family trips throughout the world, and spending time in their vacation homes in Napa and Palm Desert.

After graduating from law school in 1968, Beth continued at UC Berkeley as the attorney for students in the Student Activities office. In this role she advised students on issues ranging from student conduct, landlord tenant disputes and even divorce. When she wasn’t helping students she was generous in her legal counsel to family and friends.

An avid reader, Beth was never without her Kindle or a book. She always shared her reading list with others as well as her interests in theater, shopping, golf, mahjong, and Scrabble. Throughout her life she served on many nonprofit boards, including the UC Press and the Berkeley Art Museum. Most recently, she served on the board of directors and was chair of the Library Committee of Town & Country Club in San Francisco, and on the scholarship committee at El Dorado Country Club in Indian Wells. She was also a member of Temple Sinai in Oakland, Claremont Country Club in Oakland, and Marrakesh Country Club in Palm Desert.

In addition to being survived by her husband and daughter, Beth is survived by her brother Sam Davis, and his wife Joanne Cuthbertson; her sister-in-law Ann Karren Gitlis; her nieces Sara Gitlis Schneider (Michael Schneider) and their children Joe and Ben, Hadley Davis Reierson (Lee Reierson) and their children Teddy and Opal; Carrie Davis (Michael Lebovich) and their children Max and Mable; step-niece Jennifer Cuthbertson, step-nephew Alex Cuthbertson (Elizabeth Meriwether), and many extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Jon Davis.

A celebration of life will be held at Claremont Country Club, 5295 Broadway Terrace in Oakland on Sunday, September 3 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to UCSF Brain Tumor Research Center, 400 Parnasus Ave 8^th Floor, SF CA 94143; Jewish Home of San Francisco, 302 Silver Avenue, SF CA 94112; or a charity of your choice. A private burial was held.

---

Harry Goodman Nudler, born Jan. 1, 1949, passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2017. He is preceded in death by his father, Harold Nudler. Harry is survived by his mother Misia Nudler, sister Judy Borah (Brett), niece Alanna Borah, aunts and numerous cousins.

His quick wit and kind nature will be missed by all. Services were held on Aug. 9, 2017 at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.