Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Theda Firschein
April 30, 1932–May 18, 2025
Theda Firschein, gifted writer, librarian, wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted keeper of Yiddish and Jewish literary tradition, passed away on May 18, 2025, at the age of 93. An immensely kind and intelligent woman of quick wit, she loved her husband and best friend, Oscar; revered her grandchildren, Jenny, Ava, and Ariel; and found great strength in her children, Joseph and Ben, and daughters-in-law, Rachel and Virginia.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1932 to Jewish immigrant parents, Theda often spoke of listening to her parents read aloud from the Forward in Yiddish, passing their reading glasses back and forth — an experience that gave her a love for storytelling. Theda’s mother, a warm and vibrant figure, sang Yiddish songs and recited German poetry — a source of inspiration in Theda’s later writing.
Theda’s love for literature flourished as she attended Brooklyn College, where she majored in English. It was during these years that she began writing poetry and stories. Her work often reflected the humor, struggles, and rich traditions of Jewish life in America, blending personal memories with themes of identity and belonging.
Theda met her husband, Oscar, on a bicycle trip through Cape Cod — a chance encounter that would change both of their lives. Oscar, an engineer with a passion for books, quickly became enchanted by Theda’s intellectual energy and lively spirit. Their love blossomed through long conversations about literature and shared values. One of her early poems, written for Oscar, captured their partnership — his quiet, scholarly nature and her exuberant, artistic spirit.
After marrying (an event quietly facilitated by their respective mothers), Theda and Oscar moved to Southern California. Theda earned a Master’s in Library Science from the University of Southern California and embarked upon a lifelong career as a librarian.
Theda and Oscar relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area just as the countercultural movement emerged in the 1960s. Theda and Oscar’s art-and-music-filled home near the Stanford University campus became a gathering place for intellectuals, poets, writers, and Silicon Valley’s emerging leaders. The house was eclectically filled with colorful oil paintings and wood-block prints, electronic sculptures, Yiddish records, and a one-ton printing press hauled from New York from Oscar’s father’s former print shop. Theda’s writer’s desk — filled with her writings — was a proud and prominent feature in the living room.
A significant moment in Theda’s literary journey came when she began corresponding with renowned author Isaac Bashevis Singer. After recognizing familiar Yiddish folktales in his work, Theda reached out to Singer, wondering if his stories had roots in the same folklore her parents had shared with her as a child. Singer’s response confirmed her intuition: many of his stories had first appeared in Yiddish in the Forward. Theda’s short stories captured the humor and absurdity of everyday life, and she had an eye for a good story — commenting in real time that something unfolding in front of her eyes was too good not to capture in a short story. She passed on to Ben and Joseph this ability to recognize a great story while it was happening and to capture it in writing.
During her early years as a children’s and reference librarian, Theda worked on a traveling bookmobile, bringing literature to isolated communities. She cherished this work, particularly the opportunity to introduce writers like Singer to readers who might not have otherwise encountered their stories. One of the more unique encounters during this time was with Ken Kesey, author of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Kesey, living nearby, frequently visited the bookmobile.
In later years, Theda performed Yiddish songs and poetry and gave lectures on Yiddish heritage. Theda and Oscar were fixtures of the local Jewish community, including Kol Emeth and Beth Am synagogues. They participated in decades-long book clubs with lifelong friends, and led retreats to study poetry and Great Books. Towards the end of her life, she participated in an oral history for the Yiddish Book Center.
Theda’s devotion to family was a cornerstone of her life. She and Oscar raised their two sons Joseph and Ben in a home filled with books, music, and culture. Although much of her family remained in New York, she stayed close to her siblings, cousins, extended family, and friends from her youth (often reverting to a Brooklyn accent when she was on the phone with them). She tirelessly worked for causes including the Parent Teacher Association of her sons’ public schools, where she edited newsletters. She energetically supported her children’s pursuits of violin, tennis, and computer programming, driving them to countless lessons and events.
Theda took great care to ensure that her children and grandchildren were steeped in the traditions her parents had passed down to her. Theda and Oscar hosted legendary Passover Seders, where family and friends gathered for evenings of storytelling, songs, and lively conversation. A talented cook, she recreated recipes passed down from her mother, including matzoh brie, chicken soup, stuffed cabbage, and kugel.
Theda also demonstrated a talent for design, working with local architects to contribute ideas to the design and construction of their home in the woods and later to the construction of a home on a neighboring lot. Both homes featured large windows with views of the towering live oak trees and wrap-around decks to enjoy the nature that was so different from what she experienced growing up in Brooklyn.
Theda’s role as a grandmother brought her immense joy. She nurtured her grandchildren with the same love, wisdom, and humor she had shared with her own children, ensuring that they too understood the importance of family, learning, and heritage. Her mentorship extended beyond her immediate family, as she guided many young people as a children’s and reference librarian. Her generosity with her time, her knowledge, and her support left a lasting impact on the countless people she mentored throughout her life.
In her later years, Theda and Oscar made a pilgrimage to her family’s ancestral village in Ukraine. Standing where her parents had once lived, she felt a deep connection to her roots. The trip reaffirmed her commitment to preserving the stories of her family.
Theda’s life was a testament to the power of stories, family, and culture. Her work as a writer and librarian, along with her role as a mentor, touched countless lives. Theda is survived by her two sons, daughters-in-law, and beloved grandchildren, who will continue to carry forward her legacy of learning, love, and cultural preservation. Her memory will live on in the stories she told, the lives she touched, and the family she cherished.
In her own words: “I love them so much, and I’m so glad that they love me. I hope they’ll remember their grandma, even when I float away.”
May her memory be a blessing. Donations in Theda’s memory may be made to the Yiddish Book Center and Congregation Kol Emeth.
Vivian Foerder
July 20, 1951–April 24, 2025
Vivian, born in San Francisco on July 20, 1951, to Bill and Sara Foerder, passed away peacefully in Palm Springs on April 24, 2025. Her happy childhood unfolded in San Francisco’s Sunset District alongside her cherished older brother, Steven (z’’l). Vivian was a proud graduate of Lowell High School and later attended San Francisco State University before building a successful career as an insurance manager.
Her nurturing nature sparkled brightly when she devoted herself to caring for her mother. She spent her time between San Francisco and Palm Springs, where she shared a loving home with her partner of 25 years, Elaine.
“Auntie V,” a name affectionately given by her niece Jessica in 1976 and embraced by all, poured boundless love onto her nieces, Jessica (Ben) and Diane (Doron), and nephew, Andrew, treating them as her own. This legacy of adoration continued with her great-nieces and nephews, whom she delighted in spoiling. Vivian shared a special bond with her sister-in-law, Norma, enjoying movies and countless Johnny Mathis concerts together. She was also a devoted cousin to Sanford (Judy), sharing many memorable concerts and moments.
To her many friends, Vivian was the best of allies, offering unwavering support and a vibrant sense of humor. A true connoisseur of music and entertainment, she was always orchestrating the next memorable outing with loved ones. Her generosity knew no bounds.
Vivian was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Sara, her adored father, Bill, and her dear brother, Steven. Her unique spirit and golden heart will be deeply missed by her family and countless friends.
Graveside services were held at Eternal Home Cemetery on April 28. Donations in her memory may be made to Congregation Chevra Thilim, 751 25th Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94121.
Vera Gertler
June 23, 1933–May 14, 2025
Vera Gertler passed away peacefully on May 14 in San Francisco at the age of 91, with her son and grandchildren by her side.
Born in Milan, Italy, on June 23, 1933, Vera escaped the Holocaust as a young girl and resettled in Zurich, Switzerland, where she trained as a nurse. After Liberation, as a skilled nurse and fluent in German, French and Italian, she rescued Jewish children in North Africa and for their resettlement in Israel. While in Israel, she met her husband, Siegmund (“Sigi”) Gertler, and lived in Haifa, where Vera worked as a nurse.
In 1959, Vera and Sigi immigrated to San Francisco, the year their son, Peter, was born. Vera worked at California Blue Shield over 30 years, managing a claims department. After Sigi’s passing, Vera retired and moved to Belvedere in 1998 to be near her sisters, Gabriella Isaacson and Eva Hudson. She volunteered for over 25 years with Jewish Family and Children’s Services and served on several Belvedere civic committees. She was affectionately known as the Ambassador of Tamalpais Avenue. In 2013, she was honored as Belvedere’s Citizen of the Year.
In 2019, Vera returned to San Francisco. She was deeply loving and caring to her family and friends. She is survived by her son, Peter; grandchildren, Simon and Ellie; and sisters, Gabriella and Eva.
Memorial contributions can be made to:
Jewish Family and Children’s Services of SF: donate.jfcs.org
Belvedere Tiburon Library Foundation: beltiblibrary.org/library-foundation/donate
Gail Louise Harris
1942–2025
Gail Louise Felper Harris MA, BCET, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025. Gail was born in 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Philip and Cecile Felper. Her maternal grandfather came to America as a teenager by stowing away on a ship from the old country in Ukraine and educated himself to become a successful dentist. He tutored Gail in geometry over the telephone and taught her the value and joy of learning, which she passed on to her own children and to many other children she worked with over the years. Gail’s father was a pioneering pilot who flew all over the world throughout her childhood. She grew up with her younger brother, David, on the West Side of Chicago playing baseball and riding her bike in the street with the neighborhood kids. She later moved to the Northwest Side, where she excelled in school and graduated from Von Steuben High School as valedictorian. She met her high school sweetheart, Gerald (Jerry) Harris, at the age of 15 at a Thanksgiving AZA social dance and they were married in 1962. She attended University of Illinois and Roosevelt University in Chicago and became a well-loved first-grade teacher at Jane Stenson School in Skokie.
Gail and Jerry moved to San Francisco in 1966 for Jerry’s medical residency in pediatrics and fell in love with the city’s beauty and diverse culture. Their three children are all native San Franciscans and the family was a member of Congregation Sherith Israel for over 50 years. Family memories include Mt. Tam hikes, Marin cheese factory picnicking, countless art exhibits at the Legion of Honor and the museums in Golden Gate Park.
Gail was inspired to return to school to pursue a Master’s degree in Special Education at San Francisco State University and became a member in her profession through the Association of Educational Therapists. She built a thriving private practice and a stellar reputation working one-on-one with children from schools across the city. She was proud to have made a difference in many children’s lives by helping them surpass their learning challenges to reach their full potential, resulting in long-term supportive relationships.
Gail was intellectually curious, fiercely loyal to her family and close friends, and believed strongly in liberal politics and serving others in a helping profession. She also had a deep love for travel and enjoyed exploring the world and broadening her mind through avid reading and the arts. Her children fondly recall the well-planned family trips abroad that were always off the beaten path.
Gail’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband Jerry (married for 62 years), her three children, Holli, Scott (Karen), and Heather (Mike), and her two beloved grandchildren, Kaitlin and Hadley. Private services were held.
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Claude Salomon Salama
Feb. 29, 1936–May 18, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Claude Salomon Salama, on May 18, 2025, in Hillsborough, California.
Claude was born in 1936 in Alexandria, Egypt, to Salomon and Fortunee Salama. He received his early education at Victoria College in Cairo, pursued his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Imperial College, London, and completed his master’s in business administration from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Claude began his professional journey in Paris with TechnipFMC, where he played a pivotal role in designing the company’s first LNG plant in Algeria — an achievement that marked the beginning of a distinguished, decades-long career. He later joined Air Liquide in Montreal, serving as president of the engineering division at the renowned industrial gases and technology firm. His work eventually brought him to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he settled, and continued to work for Air Liquide in various executive leadership roles until 1995. Before retiring, Claude worked as a consultant for the prestigious engineering and construction firm SNC-Lavalin, further solidifying his legacy in the field.
Claude was a devoted and loving husband to Vivian (nee Brieger), and a proud father to Karen and Robert. His family was the cornerstone of his life, and he instilled in them the values of integrity, compassion, and perseverance. His warmth, affectionate nature, and ever-present smile will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Tony, Joseph (ZouZou), Rosie, Andree, Liliane, and Jacqueline. He is survived by his beloved wife, Vivian; his daughter, Karen, and her partner, A. James Hoskins; his son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Nicole (nee Rekant), and his cherished grandchildren, Benjamin, Danielle, and Nathalie.
Claude’s legacy lives on in the hearts of his family and all who were fortunate to know him.
Donations in his name may be made to the FIDF (Friends of the IDF) or the Neurology Department at Mills-Peninsula Hospital.