Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Minucha Gleich-Colburn
Feb. 3, 1933–Dec. 16, 2025
Minucha Gleich-Colburn passed away on December 16, 2025, at the age of 92. She was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Minucha is survived by her children, Esther Rubke (Mark), Joseph Towbis (Shirley) and Rivka Towbis-Silverstri (Anthony); grandchildren Leah, Ben and Kelsey; and great-grandchildren Kate, Emma and Robby. She was predeceased by her daughter Mimi Towbis.
Our mother was a well-known ceramicist, known for her work in porcelain and distinctive glazes. In 1970, she opened the Rollingstoneware Company in Mendocino, where she showcased her work as well as that of other local artists.
She spent the last six months of her extraordinary life at the Reutlinger Community. Our family is grateful to their staff, the friendships, holiday celebrations and lots of laughter. Donations in her memory may be made to the Reutlinger Community.
Elaine Highiet
July 16, 1929–Jan. 12, 2026
Elaine Phillips was studying at UCLA when she met David Highiet, who had recently returned from the war. They married in 1948 and moved to Martinez. (David had worked in the family business, Wolff’s Jewelers, since childhood, eventually growing it to 10 Bay Area stores.) In 1951 Elaine saw an ad in the local newspaper, seeking interest in a tea for Jewish women in Contra Costa County, which then had very few Jewish families. They became the League of Jewish Women and then, Temple Isaiah in Lafayette. Elaine Highiet was the last founding member.
Elaine was laser-focused on education, for herself and her daughters, Sheila and Nancy. She had wide-ranging interests, from music to women’s rights.
She passed away peacefully at home, one day after hearing of the birth of her fifth great-grandchild. She is survived by her sister, Beverly Kivel; daughters, Nancy Highiet Morse and Sheila Himmel; sons-in-law, Ned Himmel and Wayne Morse; grandchildren Jake and Lisa Himmel, Michelle and Zack Morse; and great-grandchildren Marlow Morse, Hannah Himmel, Jonathan Himmel, Sonnet Grieshaber, and Leo Morse.
Eleanor (Ellie) Margaret Mednick
July 19, 1939–Dec. 5, 2025
Eleanor (Ellie) Margaret Mednick (nee Morganstern) was born July 19, 1939 and raised on the South End of Winnipeg Manitoba, the beloved younger daughter of Max and Retta Morganstern. Ellie attended Kelvin High School, where she was an athlete and dancer before obtaining her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Manitoba. Just prior to beginning her master’s degree at the University of Michigan, she met Dr. Jerry Mednick, the love of her life, who proposed marriage after just 12 dates.
Following their wedding in 1961, Ellie and Jerry immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1962, starting a family and making their home in Marin County. Ellie first worked at the Schilling Spice Company in San Francisco. She continued her lifelong love of dance by volunteering in the San Rafael City Schools and began work at the Marin Symphony in 1971, the height of the Women’s Movement. As a marketing director, Ellie enjoyed successful tenures at the Marin Symphony and the Marin Theater Company in the 1980s and 1990s.
In her mid-70s, as she ascended the pinnacle of her career, Ellie became Executive Director of The Lark Theater, where she transformed a vintage movie theater into a thriving performing arts center given her innovative partnerships and programming, beloved by audiences of all ages. Among highlights of her illustrious tenure at The Lark are the drive-in movie concept she implemented during Covid and two Stephen Sondheim musicals, both smash hits at The Lark.
Ellie viewed life through rose-colored glasses, and she created beauty in everything she touched, both personal and professional. An incredible gourmet cook and hostess, she had an unparalleled sense of style and taste in home design, fashion, books, landscaping, and giving gifts. Ellie and Jerry traveled the world where they would make lifelong friends while also enjoying cherished friends from Winnipeg, the Bay Area, and beyond. Ellie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was adored by her kids and her grandkids, who called her Grammy; she championed their every success and remained steadfast in meeting every challenge life presented, including her own.
Ellie was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Dr. Jerry Mednick (z”l), and is survived by her daughter, Dr. Lisa Mednick Takami (Masahiko), grandchildren Michael and Sarah, son Ben Mednick (Natsuyo), and sister Roberta Albert of Toronto, Canada. There will be a service in Ellie’s memory at Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., San Francisco, on Sunday, March 15 at 11:30 a.m. for friends, family, and colleagues followed by a meal of consolation at a private residence. Please send donations in Ellie’s memory to: The Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, CA 94939.
Isadore Rosenthal
Sept. 8, 1932–Jan. 23, 2026
Isadore Rosenthal passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, at the age of 93. He was predeceased by his beloved late wife, Helene; he is survived by his loving children Janine, Lorenz, Brian, Paul, and Claudine.
A funeral was held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, and Shiva celebrations were held at Congregation Am Tikvah.
Sinai Memorial Chapel | (415) 921-3636
Marvin I. Schotland
Jan. 22, 1947–Jan. 7, 2026
Marvin I. Schotland, visionary Jewish leader, devoted husband, loving father, big brother, and proud saba passed away January 7, 2026, at age 78. Marvin is survived by his wife, Sandy; his son, Daniel (Marieka); his sister, Tess (Bruce) Wilkoff; his four grandchildren, Eitan, Oren, Lielle, and Levi, and many nieces and nephews.
A Legacy of Tikkun Olam: As President and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles for over 33 years (1989-2022) and later as CEO Emeritus, Marvin presided over an era of unprecedented growth, transforming the Foundation into a philanthropic powerhouse and cornerstone of Southern California’s Jewish life. Under his steady hand, the Foundation’s assets surged from $90 million to over $1.5 billion, establishing it as one of the largest and most influential community foundations in the United States.
Marvin was described as a “philanthropic rebbe” — one who viewed charity not merely as a donation, but as a pursuit of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). He was a pioneer in the use of Donor-Advised Funds, empowering over 1,400 families to engage in strategic, multigenerational giving.
His impact was felt far beyond the balance sheet. He directed over $2 billion in grants during his time at the Foundation to a diverse array of causes, from poverty alleviation and elder care in Los Angeles to education and social innovation in Israel. He also looked for ways to strengthen and build Jewish life with significant funding for Jewish programs in art and culture.
Reflecting back on his 33 years at the Foundation at retirement, Marvin remarked, “I have been grateful every one of these 12,000-plus days to be in a position to help repair our broken world and assist many others in doing likewise. What could be more rewarding than that?”
In addition to his role at the Foundation, Marvin served as the board chair of Southern California Grantmakers and was on the boards of the Jewish Funders Network and the USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy. Given the impact Marvin had on the Jewish Community at large, American Jewish University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2019.
Prior to his seminal time at the Foundation, Marvin earned his JD from the University of Cincinnati in 1973, and worked as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General before practicing law in Tucson, AZ. Ultimately, he found his calling as a Jewish professional at both Jewish Community Foundations in Southern Arizona, and Greater MetroWest, New Jersey, before moving to Los Angeles.
Family and Personal Life: Born in 1947 in Youngstown, OH to Holocaust survivors Lou and Dorothy Schotland, Marvin’s life was rooted in the values of resilience and community from the very beginning. Marvin worked for his father while growing up, and took satisfaction in helping support the family as they made their new life in America. As an older brother, Marvin also took great pride loving, protecting and occasionally goading his younger sister, Tess.
In middle school, Marvin found a love for all sports, especially basketball, and spent hours working on his signature jump shot. In high school, Marvin played varsity basketball and occasionally fantasized about playing ball professionally. His love of the game continued throughout his life, with devotion to watching and attending games.
High school also introduced Marvin to his high school sweetheart, Sandy Whiteman, who would become his loving wife, confidant, friend and partner of 56 years. After moving to Tucson in the mid-’70s, Marvin and Sandy’s family grew to include their son, Daniel, and daughter, Aviva (z”l).
Despite his high-profile career, Marvin was known for his warmth, humility, and deep devotion to his family. He and his wife, Sandy, built a welcoming home that often served as the epicenter for family events, welcoming nieces, nephews, cousins, partners and children to Shabbat dinners and holiday dinners. Ultimately, Marvin was a proud father, doting grandfather, uncle/cousin extraordinaire, and one of the nicest and humblest humans in the world. He will be deeply missed by all.
The family is honoring the great legacy of Marvin Schotland through donations to the Aviva Schotland memorial fund at the Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles.