Renée Dorfman was born in Chicago as the youngest of five children. Her Hungarian father worked as a cabinet maker, while her mother, of Russian ancestry, devoted herself to raising the family. The family was poor, yet Renée’s mom did all she could to make the most of their fixed budget like having a set meal each night that repeated weekly. While the Conservative Jewish family observed religious holidays, more personal celebrations – such as having a birthday party – came seldom. So when Renée’s family threw her a surprise 70^th birthday party in the Temple social hall, you can imagine how overjoyed she was and in awe of the more than 100 loved ones who attended.

Renée’s life personifies the theme “coming full circle.” She was raised by a tremendously loving mother and then become one herself to her three children and three grandchildren. Then there was the time she sold her home in Seal Beach where she and her first husband, of blessed memory, had raised their family to years later marrying the very person who bought that house and her once again living there amid all the wonderful memories. There are other stories within her life where the references of coming full circle aren’t so happy. Ironically, her first beloved husband, Jerry Blitstein, died of a heart attack on September 9 (1987). Years later, Renée’s second husband, Nate Dorfman, succumbed to cancer…also on September 9 (2009). Being the positive spirit that Renée is, she is just so grateful to have had two wonderful marriages to men who were also adored by the Temple congregation. Jerry was very active as Brotherhood Treasurer and Nate helped out wherever Renée needed.

Over the course of her career, Renée worked as a legal secretary and often times took on attorney level tasks when appropriate. She also was an office manager and for a time ran her own secretarial business with an office in Los Alamitos. Al Caplan, the Temple’s first president, was one of her past employers and clients. She went on to become a realtor and found time to share her secretarial skills with the Temple as Board Secretary. She also served three terms as Sisterhood President, chaired two of the Temple’s annual New Year’s Eve parties in the early years, and is TBD’s “Latka Lady” as she manages a crew of Temple volunteers and 150 pounds of potatoes each Chanukah to ensure we have amazing latkas at our carnival.  And, if you’ve received a wonderful TBD Mazelgram for your birthday or wedding anniversary filled with names of congregants wishing you well, you have Renée to thank as she’s been the one personalizing and sending those, on behalf of Sisterhood, for the past seven years.

It’s fun to note how Renée met her first husband. A man named Jerry asked her to dance at her friend’s Jewish wedding and she would soon learn he was a ‘wedding crasher.’ They dated and married within a year. When their youngest, Edie, was just 10 months old, Jerry was chosen as part of a team to help his employer expand its operations to the west coast. So the family left Chicago and settled down in north Long Beach. Their oldest son Larry lives in Sacramento and is a news photographer for NBC affiliate KCRA, while Edie is a graphic designer with a great sense for business and now works in our Temple office. Oldest daughter Gail lives locally in a residential facility for those with special needs. Visits to her are a very special treat.

Aside from doting over family, Renée likes to play Mahjong and Pan. Shopping for clothes is another favorite pastime. She and Nate loved to travel (Europe, Israel, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and cruises).  They once took a 5-week cross-country trip by car, as well.

She has been an active member of Temple Beth David since 1969 where many years ago Larry and Edie were Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Confirmed. Renée was also in the first adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class in December 1972.  She says, “My hope for TBD is that we keep going no matter what and be the best we can be. And, that we continue to love and respect one another and to always be there for one another.”

These are words from someone who makes sure those actions come full circle! And for that, our Temple and members are truly blessed to have Renée Dorfman as one of our fellow members and cherished leaders.

Known for their abundant energy and passion for volunteerism and activism for Jewish and interfaith causes, Charlie and Cathy Niederman began their association with Temple Beth David in 1967 well before the temple was built when services were held in a church in Los Alamitos.  Ironically, this couple who has gone on to create such a strong vibrant Jewish life for themselves may not have done so looking at how their story began.

Cathy grew up Presbyterian and Charlie was raised in a non-religious home where the only sense of Jewishness came from his mother who was an ardent Zionist because as Charlie puts it, “She was a Zionist because Israel was a wonderful socialist country.”

Charlie and Cathy met when classmates (Charlie was teaching student naval engineers) of Cathy’s brother said to Charlie that he ought to ask her out on a date.  He did, they went to dinner, saw a movie — Zorba the Greek, and they’ve been dancing together ever since.
It was important for both Charlie and Cathy that she convert before they got married and the rabbi they went through for the conversion said he would perform the conversion only on the condition that Charlie also attend the classes. Charlie quips, “I really came to Judaism through my wife!”
Charlie grew up in Connecticut and graduated from the Coast Guard Academy.  He also earned a master’s degree in Naval Architecture Marine Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Michigan.  He was an engineer in the Coast Guard for 28 years and then worked for the County of Orange in Landfill Management for another eleven before retiring.  Cathy graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Chemistry and has used that degree over the years to work for food manufacturing companies in inspection and quality assurance.  The couple has four children and three grandchildren.  Their third daughter is a prominent educational specialist working for the URJ (Union of Reform Judaism) and is married to Rabbi Andrew Paley, senior Rabbi of Temple Shalom in Dallas, TX.

Here is just a partial list of the groups and organizations the Niederman’s have been or are currently proud members of.  Cathy has been President of Sisterhood, sat on the Temple Board, been Social Action Chair, attended many conventions for Sisterhood and the URJ, has served on the WRJ (Women of Reform Judaism) Board, and sat on the Board of the Jewish Community Forum.  She belongs to AAUW (Association of University Women), the American Chemical Society, and the Institute of Food Technology.  You can also see her heading up the Blood Drive at Temple Beth David in association with the Red Cross.
Charlie has been President of the Temple, is on the National Board of Brotherhood, and has been a chancellor of the Jewish Chautauqua Society (the interfaith arm of the Men of Reform Judaism).  He belongs to ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America) and writes articles about it for the Megillah.  He is a member of the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council and takes the lead in their July 4th float in the parade.  He is also coordinator of the Orange County Chapter of a program called “Walking Together,” an interfaith program for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Jewish, Christian, and Moslem children.

This June marks the couple’s 10th visit to Israel!  In 2010 they were privileged to be part of the World Jewish Congress Convention that met in Jerusalem.   “It was a real eye-opener,” says Charlie, alluding to how much power the religious parties exert.

Charlie and Cathy have been, and continue to be, prominent figures in Temple Beth David, their communities, local, national, and international, and we are delighted to have them as members.~~

This year, Frieda Caplan will be celebrating 50 years as a member of Temple Beth David.  It was in 1962 when her husband Al (Founding President of Temple Beth David), along with friend Jack Broscow,  met in their home to discuss plans of building a temple in the area.  In those early days, people would also meet at the Old Katella Deli (now The Original Fish Company) in Los Alamitos to discuss plans for raising money towards the building of a temple.

Over the 50 years, her fondest memories at TBD revolve around the numerous family celebrations that have taken place.  Both her children, Karen and Jackie, had their Bat Mitzvahs at TBD and all her grandchildren have had either a Bar or Bat Mitzvah there.  Her grandchildren have all had their baby-naming at the temple and Karen was married at the temple.  She also has enjoyed the many people she’s come into contact with over the years through her affiliation with the temple.

Frieda grew up in the Highland Park area near Pasadena and credits the start of her Jewish life when as a teenager she belonged to the Junior B’nai Brith and AZA.  She enjoyed her involvement in those organizations because of the social interaction they offered and because of the leadership skills she would develop.  She graduated U.C.L.A. with a degree in Political Science and Economics.

The year 1962 would also be a life-changing year for Frieda for another reason.  That would be the year that she began her own company called “Produce Specialties Inc.” (now “Frieda’s The Specialty Produce Company”)  which focuses on providing a wide range of high-quality exotic and unusual fruits, vegetables and specialty produce.  Starting out with a small fruits and vegetable stand at the Los Angeles Produce Market, the company now has an 81,000 square foot warehouse in the Los Alamitos area with 80 employees and is the nation’s leading marketer and distributor of specialty produce.  It supplies grocery retailers and foodservice distributors with more than 600 varieties of exotic fruit, gourmet vegetables, and unique companion items.  Frieda is somewhat of an icon in the produce industry as she was the first woman to a own a produce company in the United States.

For someone who has achieved this much success in the produce industry her entry into this business was actually quite by accident. By the time Karen was 3 months old, Frieda wanted to continue breast-feeding and thought that if she took a job that had the unusual hours of working the very early hours of the morning, she could then return home and be there for her.  Through a family contact, she landed a job at a produce company in the L.A. Market and it was from that early start that the seeds were laid for her to eventually become the most successful owner of a produce company in the United States.

Asked what has been her biggest accomplishment in her illustrious career she says making Karen president of Frieda’s, Inc.  “It was probably the smartest business move I ever made.”   Her other daughter, Jackie, also joined the company and Frieda says that having her 2 daughters working at her company could not make her any more proud!

At age 88, Frieda goes to work every day working full time in her position as Chairman of the Board.   The company continues to be family owned as Karen is President and CEO and Jackie is Vice President.

Frieda Caplan is a remarkable woman and we are all so very happy that she has chosen Temple Beth David to be her religious home for the past 50 years!

Arthur and Annabelle Sandler have been Temple Beth David (TBD) members since 1963, yet being “in” a temple is something they never take for granted.  Growing up, Annabelle’s Russian mother was afraid to go to synagogue due to the political unrest experienced in Europe. In contrast, Arthur was raised an observant Jew by his mother of Polish descent and his Lithuanian father. He was educated and Bar Mitzvahed at United Hebrew School in Detroit.  So it is with great joy Annabelle, along with her husband Arthur of nearly 62 years, were among the first to step inside the building where TBD now resides.  To them, this was quite a privilege and joy to be there for the ground breaking and to have a new home for TBD.

 Annabelle was born in New York, yet by age 8 her family moved to southern California in hopes of her dad finding employment. While in California, Annabelle was confirmed at Wilshire Boulevard Temple and went to college at UCLA for two years until meeting and marrying her sweetheart – Arthur Sandler, a USC engineering student who had grown up in Detroit, Michigan.  They lived in Lakewood and then Los Alamitos, California and raised three kids – one of which is Michelle Sandler who with husband Bob Altman joined the temple in 1996.

Arthur is probably one of the best historians our temple has. He recalls when TBD used a little church off Katella and Pine Street for Friday night services before it moved to a community church near Katella and Bloomfield. High Holiday services were held at Garden Grove Municipal Center and the Methodist Church in Long Beach.  One of Arthur’s earliest roles was to set up the sanctuary for Shabbat services which included placing the portable ark and ner tamid (eternal flame lamp), as well as draping a large Lion of Judah banner over the huge white and gold cross.  One time before Arthur had a chance to finish covering the cross, he recalls a young congregant asking what the cross was for. The child’s mom quickly replied, “For the ‘T’ in Temple.”

Even though Arthur’s employer relocated their family to Holland for nearly two years, they got back involved in TBD soon after their return. Annabelle was the Social Action Chair and helped Jewish immigrants resettle. She helped them find jobs and places to live, took them to doctor’s appointments, and even taught them English.  Arthur, along with Max Sudakow, would conduct Shiva minyans and unveiling services when the Rabbi was unavailable. Arthur also served on the temple Board as Membership Chair in 1967 and 1970. He recruited the Spielmans – a family who continues to make a lasting impact on TBD. Arthur sang in the TBD choir for 25 years and in those days they would sing at every Shabbat service and High Holy Days, as well as, at every Bar and Bat Mitzvah and for numerous fundraising concerts. A vivid memory for Arthur was the blue robes, and then for a time the red robes which didn’t go over too well with congregants.

Arthur made a name for himself in his career as an electrical engineer focused on power sources for large industrial installations. He worked as lead electrical engineer on the Alaskan pipeline among other places. With his love of singing, he joined several choirs and even helped start a choir at work.  As the only Jew in that choir, he taught them Hinay Ma Tov. The baritone singer also sang in Jewish choirs at Naval Boot Camp, Huntington Park Congregation, and a temple in Spokane, WA. Another highlight was singing at Carnegie Hall as part of a Cypress College Choral Group.

Annabelle and Arthur love the opera, theatre, ballet, art museums, traveling, and spending time with family.  Arthur also enjoys doing the puzzles in the newspaper, reading, and going on walks.

I could not resist asking the Sandlers about their 62 year marriage. Arthur replied, “It works because we allowed the relationship to mature and we grew with it. We also always remember ‘why’ we got married in the first place. When you do that and embrace your children with love, it’s easy to be married for 62 years.”

As our temple continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary, we are grateful such a loving dedicated couple is part of the Temple Beth David family tree!

January, 2012

Marina Indich has served as our professional piano accompanist on Shabbats, every Bar/Bat Mitzvah, during choir rehearsals, and holiday observances and events for the past 18 years. Even before that time, Faye Newman would call upon her to fill in as needed. Marina would play during some portions of the High Holy Days which back then took place at the Garden Grove Community Center. It is fitting to spotlight Marina particularly now during her 18^th year (the numerical value of the Hebrew word for “life” chai), as her music and sweet personality add so much “life” to Temple Beth David and its members.

Immediately upon immigrating to the United States from Russia 31 years ago in 1980, Marina, along with her husband Isaac and their one-year-old son Jacob, joined Temple Beth David. It may surprise you to learn that Marina’s very first time in a synagogue was in her early 20’s when she stepped through the doors of Temple Beth David. The moment was so memorable for her because in Russia they didn’t experience religious freedom. Instead, their observances were kept to the confines of their homes on Shabbat and when they enjoyed cultural kosher foods during the holidays. Marina only knew of Orthodox and Chabad houses, and not of the Reform or any other movements within Judaism.  It amazed her to see, at Temple Beth David, civilized men and women singing and praying together, socially accepting one another, and outwardly being Jewish. Never again would she have to hide her religion. From the moment she arrived, Marina loved the temple and felt part of the Jewish community. The social hall was the only building at the time. Faye Newman played the organ and composed all the music. There was a huge choir. The Rabbi was Harry Front…someone she met the moment she and her family stepped foot on U.S. soil.

The Indich family left the Soviet Union when the government granted Jews this opportunity. Cousins Steve and Bobbie Wyman, former temple members, sponsored the family. Rabbi Harry Front was a neighbor and good friend of the Wymans so he joined them at the airport to warmly greet the Indich family. He even took video footage of the momentous occasion which the Indich family treasures still to this day.

Marina Indich was born in Minsk, Belarus, and began her piano studies at the early age of five. Per the Russian school system, she attended music school (piano studies) three times a week over an eight year period while also attending regular school. Her advanced studies included music theory and history, and also how to accompany a choir. At 15, Marina was accepted to Glinka Music College, named after a very famous Russian composer, and four years later she earned degrees in piano performance and accompanist.

A love of music ran in the family. Aside from being a bricklayer by trade, Marina’s grandfather was an actor in Yiddish theatre. While her parents too loved music, they had to pursue what Marina would call “solid jobs” after World War II. Her mom became a nurse and her father a civil engineer. The next generation of relatives – she included – all enjoyed the freedom to choose any career they desired. Ironically, they all chose a career in music. Her brother plays a popular Russian instrument called the Bayan (similar to an accordion) and every cousin initially pursued a musical career.

It was a cousin who would eventually introduce Marina to Isaac. They wed just shy of Marina’s 19^th birthday.  Ten years after arriving to the states, the couple had a second son Lawrence.  The boys went on to attend preschool, religious school, and have their Bar Mitzvahs at Temple Beth David. Fast forward, Jacob is now 33, a UC San Diego graduate, and works as an executive in the insurance industry. Lawrence, 23, just graduated from California State University, Long Beach, and is pursuing a career as a special education teacher. Speaking of careers, husband Isaac heads up the maintenance department for the Irvine Unified School District. With a specialty in painting, Isaac has volunteered numerous hours to paint and maintain parts of Temple Beth David.  Marina is equally busy. When she originally assumed the piano accompanist role at Temple after the sad passing of her dear friend Faye Newman, Marina was an accompanist for choirs, voice classes, and chamber groups at numerous local colleges and universities. The active member of the Music Teachers Association of California was also busy giving private piano lessons in her Westminster home studio, something she’s been doing now for 25 years.  Two highlights of her career were working as the rehearsal pianist at the Pacific Symphony and also performing in concert for the Chazans alongside the renowned Jewish vocalist Barry Zaltsman also originally from Russia.

Marina has a favorite song she plays for every High Holy Day prelude called Ani Ma’amin by W. Sharlin. And, while she doesn’t have a favorite Shabbat song she professes to know the favorites of many congregants. Among her role models is the late Vladimir Horowitz, considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Billy Joel, Elton John, and Celine Dion are among her favorite contemporary performers.  At temple her favorite time is the High Holy Days. Giving her all, she admits she is wiped out after the last service. Etched in her mind, however, will be what took place immediately after this year’s last High Holy Day service when six of her former piano students came up and embraced her with hugs. One of the young adults said, “I Just bought my first house and my first piano.” Marina’s exhaustion diminished and she was once again rejuvenated!

Beyond music, Marina enjoys reading biographies, attending the theatre, spending time with family and friends, fine dining (she and her son explore different restaurants in Los Angeles often), and traveling (she and Isaac go on two big trips a year and especially love cruises. A first-ever trip to Israel is planned for 2012).

Many of us know that Marina’s playing during Shabbat services helps us calm down after a busy week. Yet, you’ll be glad to know Marina enjoys the music as much as we do. She loves listening to the singing, helping the cantor and choir, and says she breathes together with the vocalists which helps her to feel what they are going through. She loves working with the grateful and strong choir and such a professional cantor as Cantor Soloist Nancy Linder. Marina is very privileged to play piano for Temple members and we are very privileged to hear her wonderful gift.

Oh, and if you were wondering, like I did, what Marina does on Family Shabbat night when Dr. Aaron Kern plays the piano. She enjoys a well deserved date night with her husband and evenings with their children.

December, 2011

The president was Johnson, the show was “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” and the song was “Up, Up, and Away.”  In 1968, Richard and Roberta Fratello were looking for a temple to join when the late Rabbi Wolli Kaelter of Temple Israel of Long Beach suggested they may like a temple in Orange County called Temple Beth David.  Richard had just gone through a conversion to become Jewish and the rabbi felt that Temple Beth David would be the perfect fit for them.   They attended services at the young temple, held then at Community Congregational Church in Los Alamitos, and felt right at home with the service and the people. “Warm, friendly, and very musical,” remembers Roberta, and their relationship with the temple has been that way ever since for 43 years.

As part of our continuing celebration of Temple Beth David’s 50th year anniversary spotlighting some of its early members, Richard and Roberta first met when Roberta, as part of her job, purchased some products from a chemical processing company that was owned by Richard’s family and where Richard worked. Richard’s father, seeing that Roberta seemed like a nice girl,  gently “nudged” him to ask her out on a date and fast-forward 2 years later, the couple were married and settled in Long Beach as they do today.

The couple have three children and four grandchildren whom they are all very proud of.  All their children attended Temple Beth David’s religious and hebrew schools and celebrated their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs at the temple. One son became a rabbi. Rabbi Anthony Fratello serves at Temple Shaarei Shalom in Boynton Beach, Florida.  Richard and Roberta have two rabbis in the family as this son married his Hebrew Union College classmate, Rabbi Joanna Tract who is a chaplain with Hospice of Palm Beach County.   Having rabbis in the family makes for some interesting conversation as they try to decide each year where to go to for High Holiday services!  Their other son is a political consultant specializing in the initiative process and their daughter worked with Roberta as a bookkeeper for 26 years prior to starting her own bookkeeping business geared to small and medium sized companies, as well as servicing the senior citizen community.

From the beginning, both Richard and Roberta were very involved with temple life.  Roberta served on the temple board as treasurer and vice president of operations, as well as serving as president of the sisterhood.  Richard too was a board member serving as vice president of membership, and is a member of brotherhood. Roberta participated in the first B’nai Mitzvah class that was held at the temple. The couple belonged to a Havurah for many years and to this day the friends that they made during that time are still their lifelong friends.

Temple Beth David has two large bronze stars that are on the outside of the temple.  One is on the front and the other is to the side.  The company that Richard’s family owned specialized in metal finishing and those two bronze stars were made by his company.  As Richard puts it, “We were “strongly” encouraged by the late Cantor Harry Newman and we were glad to create them for the temple.”

The Fratello’s enjoy traveling–especially on cruises.  Their favorite location is Sorrento, Italy for its spectacular views overlooking the Bay of Naples.  They have also been to Israel where they visited their son who was there for a year as part of his rabbinic training.

Temple Beth David has been proud to have Richard and Roberta as members for all these years and look forward to many more years together.

Mel and Jean Keleman joined Temple Beth David in 1965 when then neighbor, and temple member, Lois Abrams, suggested they come to their “new” temple for the High Holidays. The services were both beautiful and inspiring and the members so warm that they knew instantly that Temple Beth David would be their home and for a long time. “Not one mink coat!,” says Jean referring to the fact that when she attended services in Pittsburgh, many women would come wearing mink coats for the holidays which seemed very inappropriate.

Mel and Jean grew up in the Pittsburgh, PA area and after Jean graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, the couple moved to upstate New York where Mel graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.  His degree served him well as he went on to have a long and successful career in that industry.  It was after three harsh winters that they decided to follow the sunshine and move to Southern California living in North Hollywood where Mel opened up a coffee shop called, yes, “Mel’s.”

Several years later, a great opportunity became available to own a restaurant right across the street from Long Beach Airport called “Rochelle’s,” so they decided to move to Orange County and they settled in the Los Alamitos area.

Temple Beth David has indeed been home for the Keleman’s as they have been part of the TBD story for most of its existence.   All four of their children have had Bar/Bat Mitzvahs there and Jean herself has had two Bat Mitzvahs.

They recall fondly the early years when the temple sanctuary was built.  The beautiful stained glass window that appears in the sanctuary was created by famous South American artist Leonardo Nierman (Jewish) who was a childhood friend of then member Hank Hirsch.  And to raise money towards the construction of the sanctuary, the temple hosted bingo nights twice a week that were very successful.  “The sanctuary was built mostly on bingo money,” says Jean jokingly.

Jean has held many positions at the temple over the years.  When she gave birth to a baby girl, she kept her promise to serve as President of the sisterhood.  She has also been secretary to the board, treasurer for the board, Adult Education Trustee, Principal of the Religious and Hebrew Schools, been a member of the choir, and ran the gift shop for 11 years.

Outside of temple, she received a master’s degree in education and became a principal in the Bellflower school system.  She has been very involved in her local community of Bellflower serving as an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and president of the Bellflower PTA Council.
She is very proud of a program she instituted called “Bellflower Against Gangs” which recognized two children each month for good achievement and showed that there was a positive alternative to belonging to a gang.  She was also chair of the scholarship committee of the National Council of Jewish Women for 11 years.

Mel and Jean have traveled extensively and there favorite place is Barcelona because of the warm people and the city’s blending of the very modern and old.

They are avid baseball fans and like to say they came out west in ‘58 with Vin Scully and the Dodgers so of course they are still strong Dodger fans.  They have been to 23 major league ballparks and hope to visit the remaining 7 soon.

Mel and Jean reside in Laguna Woods and although they belong to a temple in that retirement community, their “real” home will always be Temple Beth David.

In celebrating the 50th year of the founding of Temple Beth David, this month’s member spotlight is Hannah Levine, who, along with her recently deceased husband of 61 years, Robert, were one of the original founders of Temple Beth David. Hannah is the longest active member of Temple Beth David at 50 years!

Hannah and Robert were both raised in Kansas City, Mo. and met each other at a popular dance spot where the Jewish fraternities and sororities would go called the Pla-Mor Ballroom. They married in 1950 and in 1954 moved out west where an opportunity to take over a deli shop from a relative presented itself.

Wanting to create a Jewish life for themselves and their two children, they first attended services at Temple Israel of Long Beach when one day Rabbi Wolli Kaelter said to them and to several other couples, “you Orange County Jews need to have a temple of your own.”

His message stuck with them and a few years later when several couples approached them and asked would they join in helping to create what would become Temple Beth David, they wholeheartedly said yes!  “Everyone was just so wonderful to be with and that is why we agreed to be a part of this group,” says Hannah.

Hannah recalls how in the early days they had services in a church in Los Alamitos and in fact recalls fondly that her son had his Bar Mitzvah under the tutelage of Cantor Newman there.

Hannah’s temple resume’ includes being one of the first sisterhood presidents.  She now is a member of the choir and loves it!  “Nancy is a very special person,” says Hannah, “and I love all the people in it.” Belonging to the choir at this time is very important for her as she copes with the loss of her husband.  Her only regret is that she didn’t join the choir years ago.

She also loves to attend the lay-led minyan with Larry Matalon on Saturday mornings. There, too, she just feels so comfortable when she walks into the room and sees all her loving friends.

She especially has appreciated the rabbi during this time over her loss. She has been there for her many times to help her grieve and to be a caring ear to listen to.

Outside of temple, Hannah is a proud member of Hadassah and last year earned the “Hadassah Leadership Award.”  It was Hadassah’s 100th year anniversary and as part of the commemoration members sent out 100 invitations for people to join. Hannah did and 80 new members responded yes!

Among her other accomplishments, Hannah is one of the founders of Heritage Pointe located in Mission Viejo.  Twenty years ago, working alongside Loretta Modelevsky, she and other dedicated individuals created a facility that offered senior living in a Jewish tradition.  She is especially proud of what was created and smiles broadly when she talks about the stunning synagogue that is there.

Hannah worked for a real estate firm when her children left home and although she is retired will occasionally get a call from them to come in and help out.  “I just had to learn to use a computer,” says Hannah, and she did and spent 20 wonderful years with them.  They love her so much that they closed their office on the day of her husband’s funeral. That meant a lot to her.

Hannah’s favorite hobby is gardening.  Ask her about her orchids and then get comfortable because she’s going to give you a real education!

Hannah Levine is a very special lady and we are so glad to have her in our family at Temple Beth David.

-by Keri Gee Semmelman
September, 2011

Sure, Steve Jobs founded Apple and Bill Gates Microsoft, yet what really computes to a lifetime of joy and special memories is the temple that a tireless group of young families founded 50 years ago…Temple Beth David. We hope you’ll enjoy monthly spotlights of these leaders – their hopes, sacrifices, joys, and loyalty. May their stories inspire all of us to appreciate and participate in, even more deeply, our Temple.

In 1960, Herb and Lois Abrams were a young married couple with one child and another on its way. They wanted a Jewish community to befriend and a place to celebrate life cycles. Yet being actively Jewish wasn’t always a slam dunk, especially for Herb, a first generation American whose parents were Russian and Romanian. Learning that his father was beaten for studying Yiddish in Europe surely didn’t motivate him to become more Jewish. However, the desperate journey to Canada Herb’s father made to flee to safety at age 14, with 8 year old sister in hand, surely did inspire Herb to fully understand the sacrifices needed to create a greater freedom and better life for family. Herb’s service in the US Army during the Korean conflict would further emphasize this lesson.

Marrying Lois 56 years ago also brought this message home. She was the perfect conduit to mobilize his cultural interest in Judaism. While Lois joined the first-ever Board at Temple Beth David, Herb became the first Chair of the temple’s religious school and also taught there. Lois was raised in a reform Jewish home in Indiana where she especially treasured the Jewish celebrations at temple. Coincidentally, she and Rabbi Front (TBD former Rabbi) grew up in the same synagogue.

Speaking of “sames,” Lois and Herb were school teachers, high school counselors, and ultimately Ph.D., psychotherapists. They taught at Pepperdine University, are published authors, and since 1970 have worked together in their Los Alamitos based psychotherapy practice. A career highlight was in 1979 when they conducted a first-of-its-kind workshop in Poland with renowned psychologist Dr. Carl Rogers. Among hobbies, the Abrams love to travel and enjoy an array of music – Herb especially likes jazz and Lois is currently learning to play the ukulele. They have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels fondly referred to as their “babies.” Duke and Romeo are therapy “comfort” dogs who have impressive resumes – they help during wild fires, assist at shelters (Romeo is especially good with infants), and come to work with the Abrams daily. Duke was a featured keynote speaker at three counselor conventions. Yes, he speaks! Duke and Lois worked at Ground Zero during the 9/11 aftermath.

Now back to 1960. Herb’s brother-in-law and also a founder, Ben Cohn, helped the Abrams get involved. Though struggling financially at the time, the Abrams were among several families who signed their mortgage as collateral for the temple’s bank loan. Lois recalls how torn the visionary committee was between choosing land with a school building already on it near Carson Street or an empty parcel of land near the 405 freeway in Westminster surrounded by basically nothing. The Abrams’ social life revolved around temple and their daughter Floree and son Mark (who now have grown children of their own) celebrated many life cycle events there.

Though the Abrams have moved several times, currently residing in Huntington Beach, they say Temple Beth David is a home they’ve never moved from. “Temple gives us a sense of security and the more we participate, the more joy we receive.” They are especially overjoyed to see children fill the classrooms. Above all, the Abrams say the temple and congregants symbolize ‘the goodness of life.’ Thankfully, they dedicated much of their lives to TBD and because of it we all have much goodness to celebrate!

Meet Robin and Mulu Harrison, temple members since 2010. Robin is a teacher for the Leapwood Ave. Elementary School in Carson (did you know that fellow TBD member Larry Matalon attended this school?) and Mulu also works for the same school as a liaison between the administration and parents.

Their story began when they met as theatre arts students at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Their years learning under experienced masters and being cast in leading roles for several plays made imprints on them both that they will cherish and value all of their lives.
Mulu also minored in dance and before too long waltzed her way into Robin’s life and the two were married.

Robin and Mulu’s path to Judaism began early in their college years. Robin was raised a Southern Baptist and while attending school began to question his religion and started to explore the other major religions including Judaism. The principles and values that Judaism espoused struck a chord with him but it wasn’t until many years later through chance that he would formalize his faith.

While in college, he often had serious discussions with one of his theatre arts teachers whom he considered to be a father-figure to him. He was a German-Jew who escaped Germany in 1939 and Robin and he would discuss everything from great acting to the great religions. It was this professor who told Robin that he would succeed as an actor and that helped give Robin confidence as he graduated school.

…But back to Robin and Mulu’s path to Judaism. One of their two children had a friend who was going to have a Bat Mitzvah at TBD and Robin’s family was invited. The family was so moved by how beautifully the rabbi conducted the service and by the cantor’s wonderful singing that they were ready to come back for more!

Robin had always wanted his family to have a strong religious foundation and after attending this service his wife Mulu said, “I think you’ve come home.” Robin, however, thought that the only way to be Jewish was to have been born Jewish, a common belief among many. After speaking to the rabbi, however, she explained that nothing could be further from the truth! That if his family had a desire to convert to Judaism that she would be happy to be the facilitator.

He and his wife are now in the process of converting and are attending classes at TBD and Temple Israel of Long Beach. They are so impressed with their level of instruction and also with the people who attend the classes which comprise of those seeking conversion, spouses who are there in support, and Jews who just want to become more educated regarding their Judaism.

Robin says that the fact that his family is black has actually bolstered their entry into Judaism as he sees much commonality between the Jewish people’s struggles and black people’s struggles. Robin and Mulu are already making themselves at home at TBD having joined the Brotherhood and Sisterhood, a Havurah, and with one of their daughters, the choir.

High on their list is a desire to travel to Israel, and to Ethiopia, where Mulu was born. She wants to explore her genealogy and believes that she may be a descendant of Ethiopian Jews.

Robin and Mulu like anything pertaining to the arts…theatre, concerts, museums. Mulu likes to paint and Robin likes baseball and fishing ( Castaic Lake is now his favorite haunt ).

So the next time you’re at temple and you see the Harrison family, after saying “Shabbat Shalom,” you might want to test Robin’s encyclopedic knowledge of movies and TV shows (My “TJ Hooker” question was no challenge for him at all) or ask him why he’s a big Yankees fan!