Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Janet Lynn Berenson
Feb. 16, 1945–Sept. 10, 2025
Janet (Jaye) Lynn Berenson passed away at the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living on September 10, 2025, at the age of 80. She was buried in the Jewish cemetery near Mendocino.
Janet and her four brothers grew up in Portland, Oregon. They were involved in many activities — Jewish, politics, scientific, academic, athletic, arts, music, and scouting.
Always a very outspoken, bright, and curious person, Jaye had many careers in which she excelled. She was head of Human Resources at PBS in NYC, a master gardener, master weaver, and genetic counselor. At the Campus for Jewish Living, she became a pencil artist. Her drawings were often shown there and in this publication. She lived in Portland (Oregon), Seattle, New York City, Hailey (Idaho), and San Francisco.
Janet is survived by her brothers, a daughter and grandson in Israel, nine nieces and nephews, and 20 great-nieces and great-nephews.
A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, October 26, at the Shul in Caspar, CA.
Max Alan Levy
May 19, 1987–Sept. 4, 2025
Max Alan Levy, 38, passed away on Sept. 4th, 2025, in Reno, NV. Born seven weeks early, Max came into this world fighting to stay alive. This fight in his heart radiated to all other aspects of his life. He loved every person he met unconditionally. If you were lucky enough to experience Max’s love, you’ll remember it forever.
Max refused to let the rules of society define him and he was determined to approach life with a laugh. And boy did he have a great laugh. Max could barely finish telling one funny story before he started another. Some of our dearest family memories are laughing so hard we couldn’t breathe.
As his family, we know Max’s life and our love for him can’t be summed up in just a few lines. We are beyond heartbroken that his creativity and light have left this world.
Max is survived by his parents, Francey and David, his twin brother Zachary, sister Shanna, and his partner, Elizabeth. He will be missed by his extended family and countless friends.
George Rubin
May 24, 1950–Aug. 20, 2025
George Rubin, a well-known Bay Area Jewish educator, died unexpectedly on August 20, 2025, after a sudden illness with his family at his side.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, George spent his first year of college at the Chaim Greenberg Institute in Jerusalem, and upon his return to the U.S. he completed his BA in Hebrew at UCLA. He and his wife Esther met as high school students on a summer trip to Israel and married five years later in 1970. The first few years of their marriage was spent living in Kiriat Bialik, Israel, where their oldest son was born. Upon returning to Los Angeles, George completed his MAHE at Hebrew Union College and the family moved to Ventura, where he assumed the position of Director of Education at Temple Beth Torah and where their second son was born. In 1984, George accepted the position of Education Director at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills and the family moved to Palo Alto and have lived there ever since.
From 1992 until his retirement in 2023, George dedicated himself to teaching Hebrew, Jewish Studies, Torah reading, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation privately to thousands of students in the Bay Area and beyond. He worked with many Bay Area congregations as well as unaffiliated families. George had a unique talent for engaging with learners of all ages, levels, and abilities, equipping them with strategies for success and making Hebrew, Judaism, and its traditions and rituals accessible to everyone.
George lived an exemplary life rooted in Jewish values and was respected for his honesty, humility, compassion, and extraordinary gifts as a teacher. In his free time, George enjoyed biking, hiking, sports, road trips and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife Esther of 55 years, sons Ron (Tahia), Jon, and grandson Brett.
If you wish to make a contribution in his memory please consider these organizations:
Congregation Beth Jacob
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School
NATAL: Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center