Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Kenneth Ira Cohen
March 23, 1949–Aug. 31, 2025
Kenneth Ira Cohen, Left Silicon Valley for Jewish Learning and Leadership
Ken Cohen, who brought his intelligence and vision to Silicon Valley in the late ’70s, then left it for a life devoted to family, Jewish learning and leadership, died on Sunday, August 31, after courageously battling illness over the past year. He was 76.
Born in 1949 in New York to Albert Cohen and Syd Schwartz Cohen, Ken graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and moved west for work, excelling as an electrical engineer and executive at IBM and Oracle before retiring at 40 to pursue his passion, Jewish education. In a 1998 J. article explaining his decision, Ken said, “…you say to yourself, ‘What do I want to pass on to my children other than my stock certificates?’ I had to have a higher goal.”
Ken secured a Master’s in Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and spent the next 35 years teaching text and Jewish History through Lehrhaus Judaica, San Francisco State University, and many Bay Area synagogues. In a tribute to Ken, Lehraus co-founder, historian and close friend Fred Rosenbaum offered: “I witnessed Ken’s love of Torah at Lehrhaus and asked him to be president of the board. It was one of the best decisions I ever made; the school flourished through the 1990s and beyond under his leadership.”
Ken was a mensch and trusted lay leader for a number of Jewish organizations. Ken was an early Board member of Netivot Shalom, served for decades as the Lehrhaus Judaica Board President, and held various roles for 25 years as a parent and Board member of the Contra Costa Jewish Day School (CCJDS): Executive Committee member, Barbeque Chef, and Governance Chair. Ken lived and helped shape the CCJDS Mission to strengthen our Jewish community for generations to come. He made Judaism and text study come to life – most notably for his Thursday night Torah study students who gathered for decades, and generations of CCJDS students who were treated to his outdoor re-creation of the Mishkan, complete with an introduction to the laws of sacrifice using the school BBQ (no animals were harmed in the simulation).
Ken cared deeply about Jewish education, the Jewish people and the State of Israel. He enjoyed the arts, sports, and good, and bad, jokes and puns.
Ken is survived by his daughter, Alexandra of Houston, sons Samuel and Benjamin of Contra Costa County, sister Susan Cohen Donner and brother-in-law Herb Donner of New York, and former wives Dr. Margaret Jordan (Houston) and Julie Tsivia (Concord). Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken’s family in this time of mourning.
Ken’s funeral took place at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Queens, New York. A memorial service was held at the Contra Costa Jewish Day School, officiated by Rabbi Mark Bloom of Temple Beth Abraham. Memorial donations are suggested to CCJDS, 955 Risa Road, Lafayette, CA 94549. There are plans for a commemoration later this fall. Contact [email protected] for details.
Elyce Melmon
May 15, 1937–Sept. 18, 2025
Elyce E. Melmon (née Edelman) was born on May 15, 1937, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to parents Anita and Albert, joining older brother Harvey. She would later describe her childhood as one of love, music, and the joy of freshly fallen snow. She fondly recalled beautiful houseparties hosted by her mother.
In 1947, her family moved to San Francisco where Albert worked as an eclectic entrepreneur and businessman. She rode the trollies and attended Lowell High School, where her love of theater and the written word first blossomed and where she established friendships that would last a lifetime.
In 1957, she married a dimpled medical student and the love of her life, Ken Melmon. She dropped out of UC Berkeley, where she wrote alongside the Beat Generation while pursuing a degree in English and journalism. Elyce and Ken welcomed their son Brad in 1960, and their daughter Debbie in 1963. In these early years, the family moved away from San Francisco to accept opportunities in Bethesda and Seattle, before returning to California to settle in Marin County.
Elyce said “my children are my inspiration; it was only natural for me to pursue a teaching credential.” She completed her Master’s Degree in English and earned a teaching credential at Dominican College in San Rafael. Elyce taught English at San Domenico, Woodside Priory, and Castilleja, and volunteered in her retirement at East Side Preparatory School. She wrote short stories, plays, and poetry, self-publishing three books. Her full-length play, “A King’s Legacy,” was produced at the Pear Theatre and was awarded the Silicon Valley Small Theatre Standout New Work in 2014. Her short 10-minute plays were produced in small theatres up and down the coast of California.
Active throughout her retirement, Elyce turned her skills toward grief counseling as a volunteer at Kara. She led the life of an educator, humanitarian, and philanthropist, contributing to education and the environment. She took excellent care of her family and friends, remaining deeply loyal, disciplined, and loving to the end.
Elyce was beloved by all who knew her because her guiding force in life was love. The unfading sparkle in her eye and her power to find the beauty in people always encouraged and helped others to bring their best selves into the world. She has been described by her students as inspiring and creative, with a unique combination of scholarship, inspiration, and unconditional support. To those in her family, Elyce graciously served as their biggest fan, greatest confidant, and foremost teacher of what it means to love and be loved.
Elyce is preceded in death by her husband Ken and her granddaughter Amy. She is immediately survived by her brother Harvey; her grandchildren Joey, Joshua, and Ari; her children Brad and Debbie; her daughter-in-law Deina; along with extended family and friends too numerous to list. The Melmon family expresses gratitude to Dr. Teresa Nauenburg, M.D. for her deep compassion and clinical skill in caring for Elyce throughout the last two years.
Elyce asked that donations be made to East Side Preparatory School in East Palo Alto (accessible online at eastside.org). A celebration of life will be held at Elyce’s home on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 from 2 to 5 p.m. Please contact [email protected] for more details.
No more than words that may fail to appease,
Though pride and pretense tangle with reason,
Still hawk and hummingbird share the same breeze, and roses return every season
Inna Mink
Inna Mink, affectionately known as “Bubba,” passed away peacefully on September 22, just days after joyfully celebrating her 97th birthday.
Born in Shanghai to Lola and Shel Ginsburg, Inna grew up surrounded by a rich blend of cultures, traditions, and languages. Fluent in Russian, English, French, and German, she carried with her a lifelong curiosity about the world. In addition to her family, food, beauty, and creativity were her passions. She became a gourmet cook who delighted family and friends with her meals, and she earned distinction as an Ikebana master, finding art and serenity in each floral arrangement.
Inna was married to the love of her life, Dr. Morrie Mink. Together they built a blended family filled with love. She was a devoted mother to Barry Wasserman (Robyn Carmel) and embraced Morrie’s children — Wendy, Stephanie, Gary Mink, and Lori (Fred) Shepard — as her own. Her grandchildren Aaron (Alex) Wasserman, David Wasserman (Colleen Bidwill) were the center of her heart, and her love extended to her precious Mink grandchildren, Emma, Tanya, Aliyah, Lyrone, and Rowan. In her final years, her great-grandson, Arthur Morrie Wasserman, became her brightest light, filling her days with laughter, stories, and endless naches.
Inna had a gift for friendship. Her warmth and wit drew people close, whether over a lively Mahjong game, in her French conversation group, or through her tireless volunteer work. As President of the Mt. Zion Women’s Auxiliary, she poured her energy into raising funds for the hospital she cherished. She was also a proud and longtime member of Congregation Rodef Sholom, where she built lasting connections.
Those who knew Inna remember her as gracious, funny, and endlessly generous. Her family is profoundly grateful to her “caretaking angels,” who surrounded her with love and dignity in her final years.
May Inna’s memory be a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know her. Donations in her honor may be made to the Jewish Federation Bay Area and Congregation Rodef Sholom.