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Friday September 22, 2006

Faces

by suzan berns

Dedicating time, energy and a new building

When the Jewish Home dedicated the new Barbara and Richard Rosenberg Family Center earlier this month, the Rosenberg’s grandchildren Jake and Cyrus Rosenberg were on hand. The mezuzah, which they helped to attach, may have looked familiar. It was purchased about 10 years ago in Israel, and has been in the Rosenberg’s San Francisco home since then. Thinking back on his longtime involvement with the Home — both Richard and Barbara have been presidents — Richard remembered that their first “significant gift” to the Home was not quite as fancy or visible (but was certainly important): a badly needed boiler.

The $35 million center is the newest addition to the 135-year-old Jewish Home. It includes a geriatric research center, state-of-the-art kosher kitchen, clinics, a wellness center and a new synagogue.

Moving on

After 18 years at the Jewish Community Relations Council, most recently as director of the Marin region, Judy Penso has decided to try out the other half of her dual master’s degree — social work. (Jewish communal work is the first half.) Marin committee members, past and present, plus Penso’s daughter Amalia, joined together at Gerri and Larry Miller’s Tiburon home for a send-off. Among the many kudos going her way, JCRC chair Michael Futterman noted Penso’s leadership in intergroup relations.

Returning Aquarian

Diane Elliot was inspired by the Aquarian Minyan’s Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank when he led the congregation in the 1980s and early 1990s. This year she will be returning as a rabbi. She’ll be joining Rabbi Eliahu Klein and second-generation Minyanites Ben Brandzel and Naomi Hannah in leading the services.

Created more than 30 years ago, the Aquarian Minyan is the Bay Area’s first and oldest Renewal community, writes Shauna Rabinowitz, public relations coordinator for the group.

Celebrating commitment

Miriam “Mimi” Gauss of San Francisco received the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award at the International Lion of Judah conference in Washington, D.C. this month. Gauss was nominated by the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation for more than 30 years of involvement and commitment to Jewish life with the Federation’s Women’s Alliance, the Israel and Overseas Committee, the Federation’s Board of Directors and more. She has traveled to Israel more than 20 times on Federation missions and study tours.

Short shorts …

Congregation Emanu-El has hired Leslie Ticktin as its first Family Programs Coordinator. She has taught “Chuppah and Beyond” and expectant parents classes at the synagogue in the past … Sandra Epstein, administrator/COO for 20 years at the Jewish Home before retiring in 2004, has been named president of the Jewish Family & Children’s Services of the East Bay, reports new marketing communications manager Holly Taines White.

Gary Malkin’s annual multifaith fall solstice musical celebration will take place at Unity of Marin in Novato on Sunday evening, Sept. 24. Visit www.wisdomoftheworld.com for info … The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, a three-day event beginning Oct. 6 in San Francisco, will dedicate a student day to late journalist Daniel Pearl. Visit www.musicdays.org for information.

Shanah Tova! Happy New Year!

This columnist can be reached at faces@jweekly.com.

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