Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Janice Carol Berzin Fingerut
Nov. 23, 1935–Dec. 9, 2024
Janice Carol Fingerut, born on Nov. 23, 1935, in San Francisco, California, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Dec. 9, 2024. The only child of Margaret Moskovitz Berzin and Samuel Berzin. In July of 1956, she married Gerald Stanley Fingerut, and together they began their life in Oakland. Gerald preceded her in death. Janice was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated herself to raising her two children, Ilene Fingerut Mino and William Jay Fingerut. Those who knew Janice will remember her as a kind-hearted individual who worked tirelessly to make a positive impact with her children, neighbors, and her community.
Donations may be made to SOS Meals on Wheels at 2235 Polvorosa Ave., Suite 260, San Leandro, CA 94577 or to Social Justice Projects at Congregation Emanu El, 1495 Ford St., Redlands, CA 92373. May her memory be a blessing and bring comfort to all who were touched by her kindness and generosity.
Frank Kushin
March 14,1934–Dec. 27, 2024
Frank Kushin was born in London, England, on March 14, 1934, to Rachel and Alfred Aaron Kushin. He died on Dec. 27, 2024. As a child he was sent to the countryside to avoid the blitz. After his sister married an American GI, the family moved to the States. Both these events had a profound impact on his life.
Frank graduated from Brooklyn College and obtained a master’s in social work from Columbia University and soon moved to California, where he worked as a community organizer under a Ford Foundation grant. He was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and taught in Italy for two years, taking his bride, Norma Galliana, with him. When they returned home they moved back to New York, where he obtained his Ph.D. He again returned to Berkeley and taught at San Jose State University, while also becoming Director of Adult Services and subsequently Director of Cultural Arts at the Palo Alto JCC.
Frank is survived by two daughters, Diana Kushin and Danielle Walker, whom he loved, as well as a wonderful granddaughter and three terrific grandsons. Four years after Norma’s untimely death, he married Ellen Spielman, who also has a master’s in social work and public health. They were very well suited and had great times together. She survives him.
Frank tried to make this a better world. He loved people. He was a good man.
If you wish to honor Frank, please feel free to donate to Congregation Beth Jacob in Redwood City or a charity of your choice.
Aaron Stanley Melinger
Aaron Stanley Melinger, 30 years old, passed away from cancer on Dec. 6, 2024. He’s survived by his parents, Dan and Paula Volansky Melinger.
Aaron participated in various special needs programs in Santa Clara public schools. When he was younger, he participated in swim classes, horseback riding with NCEFT in Woodside, family camp at Camp Newman, and sleepaway camp at Via West. He was involved in Friendship Circle for special needs Sunday school and summer day camp.
Together with his parents, Aaron enjoyed travel, including over a dozen cruises. His favorite was Disney’s Alaska Cruise, where he loved to ride the White Pass and Yukon Route train in Skagway. His favorite rides at Disneyland were Space Mountain, the Disneyland Railroad and the Mark Twain steamboat. Aaron loved his trips to Great America and riding CalTrain. He also enjoyed walks on pedestrian bridges over highways to watch cars underneath him. He loved music and always had his iPhone with him for listening to his collection of 500 songs.
With the help of life coaches from Hope Services, he had many years of volunteer jobs at Goodwill Industries and the food pantry at St. Justin in Santa Clara.
He was laid to rest at a private ceremony at Salem Memorial Park in Colma. Donations in his memory may be made to Hope Services (hopeservices.org) or Friendship Circle (bayareafc.org).
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Ethel Simon Ress
July 31, 1922–Jan. 12, 2025
Ethel was born and raised in Oakland, Calif. The daughter of Emma and Harry B. Simon, and sister to Melvin, Albert and Sarah Simon. Ethel graduated from University High School and Merritt Business School. Ethel then became a proud civil servant at the U.S. Naval Depot in Oakland, Calif., during WWII. During the war; she met her sailor, Elvin L. Ress.
They married in 1946 and she retired from the Navy in 1950 to move to San Jose, Calif. They were proud parents to: Arlene (Bill), Arnold (Leslie) and Shelly (Arnie). Ethel was a much-loved grandma to: Joshua, Emily, Mikhail, Daniel, Levi and Lili. She was adored by her great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Ethel was predeceased by Elvin, Arlene, her parents, siblings and son-in-law Arnie.
During her long life, Ethel became a business partner to Elvin. They owned Red Front Surplus from 1962 until 1993. She was an excellent bookkeeper and did what was necessary to keep the store running. She was also an enthusiastic Mom and homemaker. Ethel loved to travel, practice her Judaism and was very active in the City of Hope.
Life wasn’t always easy for Ethel. She endured losing her father when she was age 8 and losing her hearing in her 20s. She persevered, making many friends, being active with her family and community and enjoying her home in San Jose. Our matriarch got her wish to die at home in her own bed. In the end Ethel was cared for by her granddaughter Lili and her “adopted family” and help, Esther and Loviana. We are thankful for all Ethel brought to our lives. Donations in her memory can be made to: City of Hope, Duarte, CA or Temple Emanu-El, San Jose, CA.
Stefi Ruth Rudolph
Stefi Rudolph, wife of the late Albert Rudolph, passed away on Dec. 12, 2024, at the age of 96. She is survived by her loving and devoted family of three children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Stefi was a Holocaust survivor born in Berlin, Germany. Stefi, her sister Ilse, and parents Egon and Alice left Germany by ship in June 1939 headed to San Francisco via New York – just in time before the German ports closed.
Family and being a thankful American were always foremost.
Donations in Stefi’s memory can be made to Hebrew Free Loan.
Marlene B. Scherer
May 15, 1932–Jan. 8, 2025
Born in Oakland, CA, to Louis and Frances Goldman and raised in San Francisco in the Mission District. Marlene passed peacefully at the age of 92 in her home of 57 years in Novato.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Max, and is survived by her children Susan (Dennis), Evelyn (Steve), Arnold (Christina); grandchildren Michael (Ashlynn), Lawrence (Jessica), Raina and Nina; her great-grandchildren, Lily, Nolan and Arthur; and her brother Manny (Diane). She will be remembered by her friends and family for her amazing parties, baking (especially challah, knishes and cookies) and her quick wit!