Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Fred H. Altshuler
1943–2024
Fred H. Altshuler, a lawyer who worked for labor unions, environmental groups and an impeachment inquiry concerning Richard Nixon, died peacefully in San Francisco on Nov. 20, 2024, at the age of 81. He co-founded Altshuler Berzon LLP, a law firm with a goal of furthering social justice. Fred was known for his integrity, decency and intelligence. He was devoted to his wife, Julie Cheever, and their children, Norma and George.
Fred was born in Detroit in 1943 and was the only child of Louis Altshuler and Norma Siegel Altshuler. In the early 1950s, the family moved to Pasadena, California, where Fred played the clarinet in the Pasadena High School band. Fred got his undergraduate degree at Stanford and his law degree at the University of Chicago. After law school, he served in a one-year clerkship with 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge John Godbold in Montgomery, Alabama.
Fred next worked for California Rural Legal Assistance for four years, at first as directing attorney of the group’s four-lawyer office in El Centro and later in its headquarters in San Francisco. Years later, Fred received CLRA’s Community Leadership Award, which is given to social justice advocates with a life’s work of public service. A former coworker recalled the time that Fred stood up for her against a prejudiced client who refused to work with her.
In 1973, Fred joined the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s bipartisan special staff for an inquiry into the possible impeachment of President Richard Nixon. The inquiry was a formative experience through which he gained lifelong friends. It ended in 1974 when Nixon resigned just before the House was due to vote on three articles of impeachment. Fred then returned to San Francisco and worked for three years for a private law firm.
In 1978, when both were 10 years out of law school, Fred and Stephen Berzon founded their own law firm, Altshuler Berzon LLP, with a vision of working for social and economic justice in public interest cases. They were initially joined by Marsha Berzon. The firm grew to comprise 30 lawyers today.
Fred worked for more than three decades at Altshuler Berzon until his retirement in 2010. In one union case, Fred and Stephen Berzon won a jury trial that restored health insurance to 5,000 retired Idaho miners who had been denied the promised insurance. Through lawsuits filed under California’s Proposition 65, Fred contributed to a reduction of lead poisoning. He participated in a case that led to the restoration of the San Joaquin River. Fred had a specialty in attorney’s fee litigation in cases won by public interest groups and for a number of years was the co-chair and then chair of the San Francisco Bar Association’s Amicus Curiae Committee.
Stephen Berzon described Fred as being “smart as a whip, with impeccable judgment, and a wonderful mentor to many young lawyers.” Another partner, Michael Rubin, said that Fred “taught me, often through example in his gentle but firmly grounded manner, what it meant to be an ethical, committed and old school (in a good way) lawyer.”
Fred and Julie, a legal affairs journalist, married in 1983. He enjoyed going to classical music concerts and operas with Julie, going on weekend bike rides with his children, and traveling with his family, especially to France, where he spent a semester while in college. He liked reading about medieval and modern European history and the history of the Jewish people. Fred served on the boards of several nonprofit and civic organizations, including Public Advocates Inc., California Rural Legal Assistance, and the New Israel Fund Regional Council.
Fred is survived by wife Julie, daughter Norma Altshuler and spouse Chayan Chakrabarti, son George Altshuler and spouse Kate Bass, and three grandchildren. George is the assistant rabbi at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco. Coincidentally, Fred died on his and Julie’s 41st wedding anniversary. A memorial service and Celebration of Life was held at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco on Dec. 15, 2024.
Carol Rosenberg Berluti
March 13, 1960–Aug. 8, 2025
Carol Rosenberg Berluti, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in San Francisco, California, on August 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Carol was the daughter of Marie Louise (Schwabacher) and Alan J. Rosenberg. She attended The Urban School of San Francisco and went on to graduate from Vassar College with a B.A. degree in American Culture. She pursued a vibrant, fulfilling career as an actress and voice-over talent, which gave her so much joy. Her voice brought life to films such as “American Jerusalem” and exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as countless audiotapes, TV and radio commercials, and animated characters that delighted audiences of all ages.
Carol was a lifelong learner. She had such a zest for life, always seeking to understand more about the world. She had a special ability to notice and find joy in what many would consider to be small or mundane things, which inspired those around her to do the same. Carol’s infectious smile could light up any room, and she cared deeply about everyone around her, especially her family.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Marie Louise Schwabacher and Alan J. Rosenberg; her uncle, James H. Schwabacher Jr.; her grandparents, James Herbert Schwabacher Sr. and Sophie Margaret Dinkelspiel; and her great-grandparents, Ludwig Schwabacher and Carrie Fleishhacker.
Carol is survived by her devoted husband, David Berluti; her cherished daughter, Aria Berluti; her loving sister, Marilyn Rosenberg; many dear cousins, including Garth and Todd Rosenberg; and treasured friends.
Carol’s legacy lives on through the warmth of her voice, the depth of her artistry, and the love she shared with those around her. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.
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Bernis Kretchmar
1936–2025
Bernis Kretchmar, beloved philanthropist and community leader, passed away at 88 in June after a long illness. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Larry Kretchmar, MD, and family including three children, four grandchildren, countless friends and relatives and people whose lives she touched through her extensive community work.
Originally from Wisconsin, Bernis Moskowitz attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where one summer she met her future husband. Upon her graduation, the couple moved to Hanover, NH, where Bernis taught English to high school students in Vermont, and then to Rochester, NY, while Larry continued his medical residency. In 1964, the couple, now with three children, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Bernis would become a pivotal figure in her community.
Bernis and her family joined Congregation Beth Am, then in its first decade. An active member, she was very involved on various committees. In the 1990s, Bernis was instrumental in launching the LGBTQ+ support group Kulanu, meaning All of Us.
Bernis was an avid gardener and raised chickens before it was trendy. She loved to travel and was known for running into people at every airport she set foot in. She also delighted in being a shadchan, a matchmaker (at no charge), which resulted in several successful pairings.
For many years, after her kids went to college, Bernis worked for the Jewish Community Federation of Greater San Jose as director of the Women’s Division. She was also one of three co-founders of the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival, now in its 33rd year.
Bernis believed in tikkun olam (repairing the world) and building and supporting families and communities. She was very active in the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco and the Peninsula. For her 70th birthday she set up a Lion of Judah endowment which meant, as she said, “committing to the future.”
All told, she raised millions of dollars for philanthropy in the Bay Area, Israel and around the world. Bernis served on the board of El Camino Health’s Foundation for many years. In 2011, for El Camino Hospital’s 50th anniversary, she and Larry co-chaired the Sapphire Soirée, raising $500,000 for the Foundation. Bernis’ philanthropic deeds were recognized with awards, including the Los Altos Community Foundation bestowing upon her and Larry the John W. Gardner Building Community Award. She attributed her philanthropic spirit to her father’s strong community involvement in Milwaukee.
In addition to her husband, Bernis is survived by her children Julie (Doug) Roston, Laurie Kretchmar, Michael Kretchmar (Chuck Thomas); and granddaughters Rachel, Molly, Chelsea and Amari. Donations in her memory may be made to the Jewish Community Federation of SF, Congregation Beth Am or El Camino Health Foundation. Not least, Bernis would urge you to vote in every election.
June Gold Levy
May 22, 1925–July 26, 2025
June Levy died at 100 years old after a short illness and still had fun until the end. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She is remembered as generous, kind, sweet, and fun-loving. She delighted in beautiful flowers, reading, games (a fierce competitor), entertaining, traveling, going out everywhere (dinners, theater, movies, etc.), and ice cream.
June is survived by her son Richard (Sandra), granddaughter Lauren, stepsons Art and Joe, and daughter-in-law Louise. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert Levy, and stepson David Levy. A special thanks to her caregivers Amy, Willie, and Carmela. Donations can be sent to Congregation Emanu-El, Temple Sherith Israel, or your favorite charity.
Barbara Margolis
June 29, 1942–Aug. 8, 2025
Barbara Margolis died peacefully at her home in Hillsborough on August 8 just 28 days after her husband of 54 years, Lawrence “Larry” Margolis, passed away. Barbara wished to be remembered above all else as a caring mother and grandmother. She died a few months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. She was 83.
Barbara was born in June 1942 in San Francisco during the height of World War II. She was raised Jewish by her parents, Syd and Jen Kossen, along with her younger brother Michael. Barbara attended Lowell High School in SF then UC Berkeley for college. She became an elementary school teacher in Hawaii and the Bay Area. In the early 1970s, she left the classroom to become a stay-at-home mom.
Knitting scarves or hats, gardening in her backyard, and listening to books on tape — the simple pleasures — brought Barbara the most joy. She loved See’s Candies and had a “secret” drawer full of goodies that she told her grandkids about. Barbara was a huge San Francisco Giants fan and listened to Kruk and Kuip 162 times a year, or longer during the good years. She attended the 2010 World Series victory parade in downtown San Francisco.
Barbara is survived by her two children, Michelle Ebersman (David) of Charlotte, N.C., and Jason Margolis (Amy) of Newton, Mass.; and grandchildren Max, Theo, Charley, and Haley, and the late Samuel Ebersman.
Contributions may be made in memory of Barbara Margolis to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.
Sinai Memorial Chapel | (650) 369-3636
Rachel Leah Rassen
Sept. 6, 1949–July 25, 2025
Rachel Leah Rassen died unexpectedly and peacefully at her three-story home in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco at age 75.
Rachel was born in Worcester, MA, in 1949, named after her grandmothers. Her parents, Goldie and Jacob, were Holocaust survivors who had each lost their first families and children. Both parents were immensely proud of their beautiful daughter Rachel.
Rachel grew up in Worcester and later in Brookline, MA. She graduated from Brandeis University in 1971 with a BA in psychology and education. Rachel continued her education at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she received a doctorate in educational psychology.
Rachel lived in Oakland and then for 38 years in San Francisco. Rachel’s work was as a business analyst and technical writer. Her career spanned a wide range of entities, employed or consulting for major firms in semiconductors, biotech, healthcare, two universities and energy. She loved travel and learning about other countries, with trips to Turkey, Greece, and the Galapagos. Most recently, she was planning a trip to Japan.
Rachel remained active throughout her life. In earlier years, she played racquetball with colleagues before starting work. She loved nature and animals, as well as frequent walks among the steep streets of her Noe Valley neighborhood.
Rachel is survived by her brother Dr. Joshua Rassen (Amy), her nephew, Jeremy Rassen (Greg), her great-nephew, Gabriel Rassen and her great-niece, Sylvia Rassen. She was predeceased by her niece Elisa Rassen. Rachel had a beloved network of friends. Her Abyssinian cat Surya has been adopted by a friend.
Contributions can be made to the charity of your choice.
Harry Rubinchik
April 16, 1937–July 13, 2025
Beloved husband of the late Ellen Rubinchik for 64 years; loving father of Dale Rubinchik; cherished grandfather of Jaclyn, Aaron, and Amy; great-grandfather of Arielle and Lior; dear brother of Lynne Frank-Page.
Born in San Francisco, Harry worked alongside his father as a painter and decorator, earning a reputation for craftsmanship and dedication. He and Ellen made their home in Westlake, Daly City, for many years before moving to the Moldaw Residences, an independent living community in Palo Alto. Married in 1958, Harry and Ellen were a truly happy couple who shared a deep love and partnership throughout their lives.
Harry had a lifelong love of barbershop singing, performing with the San Francisco Cable Car Chorus and several quartets over the years. He and Ellen shared a passion for travel, beginning their adventures in 1966 and continuing to explore the world together for decades.
He will be remembered for his kindness, warmth, and the love he shared with family and friends. He was laid to rest at Salem Memorial Park in Colma.
Barry Traub
March 27,1932–Aug. 13, 2025
Barry Traub, loving husband to Marjorie Klein (1932-2021), brother, father, and grandfather, passed away at home Aug. 13, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Barry was born March 27, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, to Abraham and Alice Traub. Barry grew up a card player (and gambler,) a baseball fan and a brilliant student, with a sense of humor and adventure.
He met Marjorie when they were both 16, on a summer Teen Tour while in Yosemite. They married at 20 and had three daughters, Janet, Nancy, and Jennifer. He worked as a real estate attorney in New York City, until 1966 when he and Marjorie decided to take a risk and move their family to San Francisco.
Barry and Marjorie came to embrace the California lifestyle; they loved the mountains, skiing, outdoor adventures and time at their house in Idaho. They especially loved the many summers they spent hiking with a close group of friends in the Alps.
Barry created and invested in many businesses and philanthropic ventures, real estate, publishing, restaurants, tech, and most recently AI. He was a consummate negotiator, deal maker, and mediator as well as a true friend, a great storyteller, a word and logic puzzler. Fast with quips, he had a fantastic memory for real estate deals, card hands, hiking misadventures and youthful escapades. He was a mentor and a trusted adviser to friends who visited in the last few weeks to tell him about the impact he had on their lives. He was well loved and will be greatly missed by his family.
Survived by brother Gene, daughters Janet, Nancy (Greg) and Jennifer (Paul), and grandchildren Isabel, Eva, Violet and Simon.