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Friday May 27, 2005

Faces

by suzan berns

When chai is life

The Israeli Consulate threw a bash for Israel’s 57th birthday at the Asian Art Museum and Sam Borcover found himself teaching Hebrew to the Korean and Japanese consuls. Later, he reported, when a speaker lifted a glass and shouted “L’Chaim,” the two guests responded with understanding and gusto — and even got the “ch” right.

Mazel tovs all around

At the Bureau of Jewish Education’s annual meeting where she was honored for 30 years of distinguished service, Kerin Lieberman thanked former President Doug Goldman for talking her out of leaving the BJE. “I started at the bureau in 1902,” she joked, “and almost left twice.” David Langer and Paul Resnick were named new BJE board members at the May 10 event at the Concordia Club. Outgoing board members included Rick Lenat, Janis Sherman Popp, Jeff Saperstein and Kathy Williams.

Glitz and appreciation

Anne Bashkiroff jetted off to Chicago earlier this month as a guest of honor at the Rita Hayworth Gala, the Alzheimer’s Association 25th anniversary celebration. Bashkiroff, who now lives at the Jewish Home, received the association’s Genesis Award, given to the pioneers who helped shape the organization. To add Hollywood glitz to a memorable night, she sat next to Yasmin Kahn, Rita Hayworth’s daughter with Aly Kahn. Bashkiroff was instrumental in getting the need for care and treatment of Alzheimer’s patients recognized 30 years ago. She is also the founder of the Family Caregiver Alliance. Her biography “For Sasha, With Love” tells the story of her search for help when her husband was afflicted with the disease.

Moscow-bound

The Bay Area will bring the largest delegation of any U.S. city to the World Union for Progressive Judaism’s conference in Moscow next month, reports Marsha Felton, who will lead the group. It’s the first time a Jewish organization has held an international conference in Moscow. The participants include Steve and Ina Bauman — Steve is co-chair; Darryl Messenger and Jim Heeger, Ann and Irwin Bear, Diane Marcus, Steve and Laura Olson, Peretz and Becky Wolf-Prusan, Susan Shargel and David Kramer, Jonathan Hirshon, Ellen Schwab, and Cantor Roz Barak, who will teach Reform cantorial and musical students at a retreat outside of Moscow prior to the convention.

Short shorts

Lori Hahn of Palo Alto and Lauren Kurland of Mill Valley have been ordained as Conservative rabbis … Arlene Krieger of San Francisco received the Trustee of the Year Award from the California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging for her contributions as president of the Jewish Home’s board and auxiliary. The Home received the group’s Social Responsibility Award …

Brandeis Hillel Day School honored outgoing president Barry W. Cohn with the Lion of Judah Award at its recent annual board dinner. Rabbi Henry Shreibman, the head of school, was honored for 10 years of service and leadership … Brandeis University student Rachel Marder of Los Altos Hills is among 21 U.S. students traveling to Buenos Aires as part of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Argentina Ambassadors program. They will take part in hands-on social action projects with peers from the Argentine Jewish community.

And finally … Offering the d’var Torah (biblical interpretation) at the BJE’s annual meeting, Osher Marin JCC educator Rachel Biale noted that both wine and the words of the Torah bring happiness, but “it takes a little longer with the Torah.”

Suzan Berns, a freelance writer and publicist, welcomes your submissions of cute, poignant or informational anecdotes about you and your organizations at faces@jweekly.com.

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