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Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.

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Allan Berenstein

Oct. 29, 1945–Aug. 5, 2023

Allan Berenstein passed away on Aug. 5, 2023, in San Francisco after a brief illness. Allan was born in San Francisco to the late Agnes Berenstein (Schwartz) and Harry N. Berenstein.

Allan grew up in San Francisco and attended Lincoln High School (Class of 1963) and received a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State College. Allan was the loved father of Matthew (Ashley) Berenstein and Justin (Brandie) Berenstein, the grandfather of six and the great-grandfather of one. He was also the brother of Sid (Joyce) Berenstein and Burt (Sherry) Berenstein and was a beloved uncle.

Allan retired at an early age from the insurance business and began to volunteer for Jewish Family and Children’s Services and other organizations where he helped patients and families during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.

A private service has been held. The family asks that any donations in Allan’s memory be made to the charity of your choice.

Sinai Memorial
(415) 921-3636

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Anita Cotton

June 28, 2023

Compassionate, loyal, determined, and an engaged participant in the arts and politics, Anita Cotton of Oakland, California, passed away peacefully at age 89 with her two children by her side. Born Anita Rosenfeld in 1934 in Hamburg, Germany, to Carl Ernest and Ruth Rosenfeld, Anita fled Nazi Germany with her parents and sister, arriving in San Francisco in May 1939.

Anita attended San Francisco public schools, graduated from Berkeley High School and earned her B.A. in occupational therapy from San Jose State in 1956. She earned her master’s in public administration from Cal State Hayward in 1986, completing her degree via night classes while continuing to work full time.

Anita enjoyed a 40-plus year career as an occupational therapist, working for a variety of state and county agencies, including Children’s Hospital in Oakland and the Regional Center of the East Bay. She was a passionate advocate for her clients, delighting in problem solving so that her clients and their families received the solutions and the support they deserved.

While enrolled at San Jose State, Anita met and married a newly arrived, fellow Jewish immigrant from Hamburg, Alfred Cotton. In 1960 they finished building the house in the Oakland Hills they would enjoy together for the next 55 years and in which they would raise three children. In 1984, their middle child, David Sol Cotton, passed away from lupus. Anita channeled the pain of losing a child into her compassion for others — a gentle and warm presence in the lives of many in the subsequent decades who were grieving their own losses.

One of the sources of Anita’s deep friendships was her and Alfred’s 50-plus years as members of Beth El in Berkeley. Over the years, Anita held a variety of leadership positions, including serving on the education and rabbi selection committees.

In 2015 Anita and Alfred moved together to Oakland’s Piedmont Gardens retirement community where they enjoyed building many new friendships. Alfred passed away in July 2019. Anita continued to live independently, working out in the gym daily, attending concerts and lectures, and enjoying the cafes and restaurants on Piedmont Avenue with friends, her children, and grandchildren.

Her two greatest joys were sustaining a rich tapestry of friendships and her pride in the character and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

Anita is survived by her children, Debbie Cotton Kilcoin and Dan Cotton, their spouses, Neil Kilcoin and Katie Yezzi, and four grandchildren, Ryan Kilcoin, Brendan Kilcoin, Aliza Cotton, and Ezra Cotton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Anita’s honor to Congregation Beth El, David Sol Cotton Memorial Fund, Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, or Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.

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David Scheer Broad

Nov. 3, 1925–Aug. 5, 2023

David Scheer Broad passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Aug. 5, 2023. Dave lived an active and vibrant life, keenly focused on and inspired by his two greatest passions, family and art. His friendly nature, incredible humor and wit, and his calm, peaceful demeanor endeared him to all. Dave was always generous in sharing his talent for illustration when someone needed artwork whether his temple, his wife’s charities, or friends with businesses.

Born in Baltimore in 1925, Dave lived with his mother, grandmother, aunts, uncle, and cousins. He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Army in Germany. Toward the end of the war he transitioned into civilian work as an illustrator for the U.S. government. After the war, Dave attended and graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and began his career as a graphic illustrator in Milwaukee. He fell in love with Paris and traveled there often as a young man. The city became a major inspiration in his artwork.

While visiting his cousin in Pasadena, he took a road trip to the San Francisco Bay Area, fell in love with San Francisco, and moved to California. He found his heart and wife, Suzanne (Sue) Lobree, on a blind date. Their bond grew over a short time, and soon they married and moved to San Rafael.

Dave became a noted Bay Area illustrator whose clients included Bank of America, Crown Zellerbach, and Sunset Magazine’s Chefs of the West, to name a few. His real passion emerged after retirement as he began to paint watercolors and explore art beyond the commercial realm. Dave maintained a studio where he painted watercolors in the impressionistic tradition. He won numerous CWA Awards and other contests, earning him the rare distinction of Master Signature member in the CWA. He painted well into his mid-90s, expanding his boundaries and challenging his creativity.

Dave and Sue were married for more than 64 years, living in the same house in Terra Linda. They are blessed with three children, Stephen, Nancy (McMahon), and Richard, and their respective spouses, Ann, Dan, and Jan, and seven grandchildren: David and Mia Broad, Natalie and Arielle McMahon (fiance Isaac Gutman), Samantha, Maile, and Kailyn Broad.

Dave’s kindness, generosity, peaceful demeanor, and humorous wit will be missed by his family and friends. A private burial was held and a celebration of life service will be announced in the near future.

Donations in his memory can be made to Congregation Rodef Sholom, Building Fund, 150 N. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA, 94903, or the charity of your choice.

Sinai Memorial
(415) 921-3636

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Barbara Wax Hirsch

March 16, 1925–Aug. 7, 2023

Barbara Wax Hirsch was born on March 16, 1925 in San Francisco to Rudy and Gussie Wax. Barbara passed away Aug. 7, 2023 at 98. She lived a full life, was a great beauty, and adored by her huge fan base till the end.

She grew up in San Francisco deeply connected to her sister Jacki, cousins and best pals, and graduated from Lowell High School in 1942. After the war, on Feb. 3, 1946, Bobbie married Robert Hirsch, who emigrated from Brooklyn, N.Y. Bob became and remained an integral part of Barbara’s family.  They joined and were active in Congregation Sherith Israel’s young marrieds group. Baby boomer Doug was born in late ’46 followed by Karen in June ’48.

Bob and Bobbie divorced ’54 and Bobbie repurposed her life from housewife to career woman, better suiting her true feminist nature. She was a busy, single, hard-working mother and loved every minute. In 1960 she started her own promotional marketing firm calling it Barbara Hirsch Enterprises – Your Ideal Girl. She was legendary in the industry, earning an excellent reputation with clients and suppliers, and made lifelong friends. Karen Hirsch joined the company in 1976; she and her husband, Jim, purchased the company in 1989. Barb moved on to new adventures.

Barbara married Gordon MacDonnell in 1968. In the early ’70s, they designed and built a 180-degree view home overlooking S.F. from atop Diamond Heights, where she honed her entertaining skills. Everyone loved partying at Barb and Gordon’s home. They relocated to San Diego in the early ’90s. She and Gordon divorced, and he passed in 2005.

Barbara made a whole new cadre of younger friends and admirers while involved with charitable work. This group called themselves the Cinnamon Girls and shared lots of laughs and many wild adventures together.

In 2016 she moved back north to Smith Ranch independent living in San Rafael, with her dog Lolly, to be closer to her family and aging friends. She immersed herself into her new community, loved the resort-like facility, dining options and exercise classes. Covid was challenging. Her local “pod” consisted of immediate family members and friends who kept in close touch.

She was the animal whisperer. She loved and cared for several “perfect” dogs, foster cared for SPCA orphaned puppies, had Rudy the Racoon for 10 years — all with the approval of Gus the Cat.

Barbara’s presence was magnetic. She was always cheerful, positive company, fiercely independent and fun-loving. She lived and died her way, quickly and quietly, on her own terms, with dignity, integrity and style.

She is survived by Douglas (Bernie) Hirsch, Karen Hirsch (Jim Condit); grandchildren Christina Hirsch, Matt (Felicia) Hirsch, Sam and Ben Hirsch, Tyler Condit; great grandchildren William, Nicole, Robert, Maya and Chev; close family members Barry and Brian Horwitz; and beloved nieces and nephews.

Donations can be made to Guide Dogs for the Blind, San Rafael (guidedogs.com).

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Joseph Lissak

Joseph Lissak died peacefully at his home on June 21, 2023, two months shy of his 89th birthday.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Natalie, and his three sons, Bruce, Ron and Adam, as well as his four grandchildren, Sumi, India, Ariana and Samuel. Joe was predeceased by his younger brother, Fred z”l.

Born in NYC, Joe moved to Los Angeles as a boy and remained there for the rest of his life. Joe built a thriving insurance agency over many decades which he sold before retiring to travel the world and pursue his lifelong passion for exploring the people, music and food from different cultures.

Joe cared deeply about social justice and was an activist in many righteous causes, from farmworkers’ rights to nuclear nonproliferation. Joe and Natalie opened their home over the years to take in foster children, foreign exchange students and adult visitors from around the world.

A funeral was held at Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills on June 25, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aged (www.lajhealth.org).

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Margaret E. Scheinman

May 22, 1937–Aug. 11, 2023

It is with great sadness to report the passing of Margaret Scheinman surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. She was born 86 years ago in Queens, New York. She lost her mother at age 7 and was raised by her remarkable grandparents. Margaret attended Bayside High School and completed her degree in liberal arts at George Washington University and Queen’s College. She initially taught elementary school to support her husband while he was in medical school and subsequently moved with her family to the Bay Area but retained her love for New York.

Margaret played an active role in the Jewish community, serving on the boards of Brandeis Day School and Peninsula Temple Sholom (PTS). She was first to organize a temple movie chavurah group initially at PTS and subsequently one at Sherith Israel (S.I.). Margaret was a member of many S.I. temple groups and generously contributed to the young adult program as well as to HaMotzi, the temple group organized to help feed the needy. She had an extraordinary circle of good friends from her contacts at both PTS and S.I.

Margaret was an entrepreneur with exceptionally keen business acumen and single-handedly acquired and successfully managed a number of residential and commercial properties all over Northern California. She had an abiding interest in the arts, loved visiting museums and art galleries and loved shopping for exquisite gifts for family and friends. She had a special affinity for murder-mysteries and would constantly amaze us by how rapidly she could identify the true perpetrator of the crime. Margaret was the ideal traveler relishing multiple trips to Europe, Asia and Africa. She was an avid sports fan and loved her S.F. Giants and attended all the 49ers home games and a few Super Bowls.

She had a deep affection for all her children and grandchildren and took an active role in encouraging them to enhance their education. She took great pride in that she was able to contribute to all of her children and grandchildren’s education so they could graduate free of debt. She never forgot a birthday and joyfully shared in their graduations, weddings, and bar and bat mitzvah celebrations. She is survived by her husband, Melvin, their three children, Dan, Elan and Rachel, as well as nine lovely grandchildren. Her passing has left us with a loss that cannot be filled.

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Burton White

Jan. 19, 1936–Aug. 7, 2023

Burton White passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2023, at his home in Hillsborough, California, at the age of 87. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended Boston Latin School, Harvard College and Boston University Medical School. He interned at the L.A. County Hospital where he met his wife, June. When he was accepted to the Harvard Psychiatric Residency Program, he and June returned to Boston where they were married in 1962. The Vietnam War was ramping up, and after completing his specialty training, he was assigned to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines as a psychiatrist.

Burton and June returned to California where Burton started working as the regional chief at the Daly City Mental Health Center. He then went into private practice in San Mateo with a special interest in senior care and community issues. In the mid-1980s, he was named chief of psychiatry at Peninsula Hospital and became involved in several mental health committees that effected real change.

He was honored as a Distinguished Life Fellow with the American Psychiatric Association in 2016 and then retired at the age of 80.

Music had always been one of his passions. He loved traveling with June. They traveled all over the world and spent time each winter in Cabo San Lucas since 1987. He had a varied and wonderful life with much to celebrate.

He leaves his wife, June, sister Eunice, nephews Jonathan and Jeffrey and grandnieces and grandnephews Brianne, Hayley, Drew, Lindsay and Brody. Many thanks to Leo and Malina for helping him this past year.

A celebration of life was held in Burlingame on Aug. 13 and his burial at the Dixon National Cemetery was held on Aug. 16.

Donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders or your favorite charity.

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Lillian Zacks

Lillian Zacks, 95, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023. Lillian was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the youngest of three children. At age seven, because of Lillian’s asthma, the family moved to Los Angeles. She had lifelong friends from Berendo Jr. High and attended UCLA where she met Larry Zacks, a USC student, at a Hillel dance. They married in 1948 and that year, took a class on square dancing at Fairfax High School. It became their passion. Over the years, they rose to the “challenge” level and continued to enjoy square dancing until Larry’s death in 2006. They moved to the San Fernando Valley to raise their three daughters and were active in the local Democratic club and Temple Judea. Lillian obtained a teaching credential at Valley State College (predecessor to California State University, Northridge), and she and Larry were active in the teacher’s union (UTLA). Lillian became a bilingual educator (Spanish) and eventually retired from Beachy Elementary School where she ran a special pre- kindergarten program for bilingual students and their caretakers. After retiring, she taught adults learning English (ESL) at Temple Judea. In 2016, she moved to Oakland’s Piedmont Gardens where she continued to be socially engaged, particularly in anything involving music and movement. Lillian leaves behind three daughters, Mindy Zacks, Judy (Reuven) Elkins, and Karen (Steve) Bovarnick, 10 grandchildren, and more than 40 great-grandchildren. Donations in her memory may be made to Pathways Foundation, 585 N. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, Calif., 94085, and J. The Jewish News of Northern California.