Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Dorothy Ann Auerbach
Aug. 12, 1932–July 5, 2025
Dorothy Auerbach, a native and lifelong San Franciscan, died on July 5, 2025, at the age of 92. Born August 12, 1932, to Harry and Martha (Rice) Greenfeld, she attended Lowell High School, where she met Harold B. “Hal” Auerbach. Married on June 22, 1952, they shared 72 years until Hal’s passing last year.
Dorothy and Hal raised five children: Ruth, Harry, Judith, Robert, and Matthew. When Matt was 2, Dorothy began a 30-year career in accounting. A lifelong member of Congregation Sherith Israel, she taught in the religious school, was active in the Sisterhood, and worked in the Temple offices. She loved the arts, especially ballet, and enjoyed classes at the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning.
In retirement, Dorothy and Hal were active at Rhoda Goldman Plaza. The family thanks the communities at Rhoda Goldman Plaza, the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living, and Sutter Health CPMC Mission Bernal for their care.
Dorothy is survived by her children Ruth (David Levin), Harry (Geri), and Judith (Mark Abramson); her grandchildren Cullen Auerbach (Arlana Burk), Thomas Auerbach (Grace), Seth Auerbach (Rebecca Rich), Ryan Auerbach, and Matthew Levin (Brenda Juarez-Castro); and her great-granddaughters, Arie and Amaya Auerbach. She was predeceased by Hal, Robert, and Matthew.
Services were held July 7 at Sherith Israel. In lieu of flowers, Dorothy would have preferred contributions to Congregation Sherith Israel, to the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning, to Planned Parenthood, or to the charity of your choice.
Philip Genet
Philip “Phil” Charles Genet, 77, passed away on June 30, 2025, at home in Sonoma, California. His courage in the face of illness reflected his enduring strength and spirit. Phil never lost his zest for life — enjoying music, dancing, ESPN, and ice cream until the end.
Born in Miami in 1948 to Irving and Sylvia Genet, Phil was one of four siblings. He met Ilene Teitler at Coral Gables High, later marrying her in 1969, after earning his degree from the University of Miami. The couple moved to Northern California, where Phil launched his first business, Genet Western & Brokerage Company. He and Ilene raised two daughters, Becky and Deborah, and built a vibrant circle of friends. Though they later divorced, they remained close.
Phil joined Big Brothers in 1975 and formed a lifelong bond with his “little brother,” Aaron Lamstein, with whom he co-founded his second business, Worldwise. He married Christine (“Chrissy”) Neumann in 1997 and embraced her son Rob as his own. Phil was by Chrissy’s side until her passing in 2006.
Phil later married Cheryl Simons in 2007, gaining three stepchildren: Andy (Lynn), Jill (Rick), and Stefanie (Matt). Together, Phil and Cheryl created a joyful life full of love, generosity, and celebration. They cared for each other deeply through two wonderful decades.
Phil cherished time with his grandchildren (Sean, Mia and Poppy) and step-grandchildren (Ethan, Zoe, Hope, Mack, Kody & Elodie). He was an avid sports fan, music lover, Jazz Fest regular, JCC board member, and lifelong Hurricanes and Giants supporter. His warmth, humor, and big personality touched many and will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Genet Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Miami (established by Phil in 2004) or to the Lac du Genet Foundation or to Congregation Rodef Sholom.
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Jacqueline Natalie Tanzer Griffin
Jan. 26, 1930–July 15, 2024
Our mother and friend, Jackie Griffin, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, at the age of 94. A Palo Alto, California, resident for 60 years, she grew up in Fairview, Massachusetts, the youngest of six children. Following a cousin’s invitation, she settled in Palo Alto and took a position at WDL Philco-Ford where she was responsible for establishing a technical manual library for engineers. At Philco in the early ’60s, Jackie met her husband, Herman Griffin. They were married for 48 years before his passing in 2008.
Jackie most enjoyed helping others. She was an early and dedicated member of Congregation Kol Emeth. Over the years she volunteered with Jewish Family and Children’s Services, the Kol Emeth Sisterhood and before Covid, she showed up for Minyan prayer services a few times every week.
A highly trained opera soprano, Jackie had an amazing singing voice. Although never a professional, she sang with several choirs over the years. Jackie was especially dedicated to The Yiddish Choristers, a group who sang at JCCs and retirement homes around the Bay Area. Jackie impacted so many with her incredible solos, modest nature and mentorship. She always found “just the right words” for encouraging fellow choir members — an enviable legacy!
Productive and busy through her 80s, Jackie’s “Girl Friday” skills were invaluable as a part-time office assistant at a local insurance company. No matter the venue, Jackie’s positive attitude and giving nature proved to all that her memory is indeed a blessing.
Jackie is survived by her children Mark Griffin (Heather) and Beth Griffin Whitmore (Eric); four grandchildren, Emily, Clair, David and Julie; and three great-granddaughters, Sadie, Bailey and Mabel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute or a charity of the donor’s choice.
To read more about Jackie and the Yiddish Choristers, see the J. article: “The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Yiddish,” Aug. 5, 2011. To see a YouTube video of Jackie Griffin singing a solo on “Rozhinkes Mit Mandlen (Raisins and Almonds),” visit tinyurl.com/yiddish-choristers.
Leland “Le” David Levy
Sept. 20, 1934–June 10, 2025
Le Levy passed away from pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 90 years old, surrounded by friends and family. In his long life, Le served on the Palo Alto City Council for 12 years and as mayor in 1985. He was a longtime member of Congregation Beth Am, including serving on its board, as its president, and on its religious education committee. He was also a longtime member of Rotary, including serving as president.
Le worked tirelessly as a board member of Magical Bridge Foundation and a supporter of AchieveKids. After working in advertising at the Grey agency, and in marketing at Dole Pineapple, he found his true calling as a stockbroker and financial adviser. He pursued this career for over 55 years, most recently at Wells Fargo Advisors.
Le loved hiking and camping and especially appreciated Yosemite, Big Basin, as well as other national and state parks. However, his special love was bicycling. He often bicycled 40 or more miles on a weekend, organizing rides with different groups of friends throughout his life. To celebrate his 80th birthday, he bicycled 80 miles in one day. He also rode in the Ride Across Iowa, the Sequoia Century, the Napa Century, and many other organized rides.
Le collected over 250 chess sets over his lifetime, purchasing many during his travels, receiving others from friends, and commissioning custom sets from artists. He was also famous for writing timely and humorous lyrics for popular songs, which he did for family celebrations, issues before the Palo Alto City Council, and Rotary meetings.
Le was born in San Francisco to Fay (Rosenberg) and Leland Levy Jr. He graduated from Lowell High School, University of California at Berkeley, and the Harvard Business School.
Le is survived by his wife, Judy Huey, ex-wife, Arlene (Heuer) Levy, his sons Joshua Levy and Jonathan Levy, two daughters-in-law, Sarah (Beizer) Levy and Jennifer Mezey, and three grandchildren, Samantha, Rebecca, and Benjamin.
Donations in Le’s memory can be made to: Beth Am (betham.org/give), Palo Alto Rotary Foundation (rotarypaloalto.org), Magical Bridge Foundation (give.magicalbridge.org/give/207650/#!/donation/checkout), or AchieveKids School (achievekids.org/donate-now).
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