Honor Wall
In honor or memory of your loved one, or friends, or your Yiddish heritage.
Joel Schechter & Diana Scott
In honor of
Daniel Ellsberg’s
repeated whistleblowing and attempts to rescue humanity from its worst impulses.
From The Pentagon Papers publication half a century ago to recent protests against war and nuclear weapons, he has been a prophet in his own time. If only more people in high places would listen to him.
April 2023
Malka Whiteman
In memory of my father
Moshe Weitman, z"l
My father, Moshe Weitman, was a Torah scholar, lover of Yiddish, opera, and the violin. He was born in the shtetl Balygrodt, Poland in 1905 and lived a life of piety, poverty, fear, and virulent antisemitism. As a young man he prepared to emigrate to Palestine but, instead, in 1938, miraculously obtained a visa for the US. He worked as a laborer, at backbreaking jobs. And he was haunted by the shadow of survivor guilt.
I think about the life my father should have had versus the one he did have. May his soul know peace in the life beyond.
April 2023
Karen Davison
In memory of
Mary Kremsdorf & Sadye Brown
Yiddish makes me think of my grandmothers. I miss them.
April 2023
Pam Gilboa
In memory of my beloved husband
Joe
the love of my life.
April 2023
Aimee Waldman
In honor of
Ellie Shapiro
Thank you Ellie for a spectacular presentation!—and for helping me to understand a bit more about my tribe—as you so rightly stated, we know more about how they died than how they lived!!!!
March 2023
Deborah Pines
For my mother
Doris W. Cohen
who got a kick out of my being the first person in the family to speak Yiddish.
March 2023
Abby Marcus
Thank you
Scheindel & Joseph Markusfeld
You left your home in Lemberg to come to America, and that’s why I am alive today.
March 2023
Eleanor Shapiro
In Memory of my mother
Esther Shapiro
March 2023
Harriet Rafter
In Honor of
Ellie Shapiro & Judy Kunofsky
This is in gratitude to Ellie Shapiro, for her important and foot-tapping research, and to Judy Kunofsky, for putting everything together. Thank you both.
March 2023
Betty Albert-Schreck
To Honor My Friend
Gerry Tenney
We have been friends and music buddies since 1961!!, when I met you and was introduced to bluegrass and old timey music and began flat picking. By now we have a history of playing music together with Second Generation, CA Klezmer, our Kindershul/KinderShule years, and our recording of Lomir Zingn a Yiddish Lid. Whew! I love so many of the songs you’ve written, especially Kitchen Music, and of course, your children’s songs, especially Haunted House, which should place you in the Children’s Music Hall of Fame. And thank you, too, for all you’ve given to the world of Yidishkayt.
March 2023
Moreen Libet
In Honor of
the KlezCalifornia Board and all KlezCalifornia volunteers
I want to thank the Board and volunteers who work so hard and thoughtfully to bring all of these enlightening, inspiring, and entertaining workshops, jokes, resources, and information to us.
March 2023
Bashe Kuperstein
In Loving Memory of my parents
Joseph & Sara Kuperstein
They excelled at being the best parents I could have had. Very grateful. Thankful they spoke Yiddish exclusively in the home. It was my first language. I treasure all the memories.
They are in my heart.
March 2023
Yael Chaver
Honoring the memory of
Eli Katz, z"l
teacher, scholar, oysergeveyntlekh [extraordinary] mentsh
February 2023
Lita Krowech
In honor of
Judy Kunofsky
for her hard and creative work for KlezCalifornia
February 2023
Elaine Moise & Robert Grodsky
In memory of
Joseph & Lillian Grodsky
February 2023
Yermiyahu Ahron Taub
In honor of
Yankl Salant
editor, graphic designer, lexicographer, teacher, and translator extraordinaire, for his many contributions to contemporary Yiddish culture.
February 2023
Howard Freedman
In honor of
Veretski Pass
On the chai (18th) anniversary of their debut CD, I make a toast in celebration of Veretski Pass. They are a treasure.
February 2023
Dmitri Budker
In memory of
the innocent victims of the Russian attack on Vinnytsia (Ukraine)
February 2023
Rachel Melas
In memory of my grandparents
Bert & Alice
who raised me up and encouraged me to play music. Not everyone would buy their granddaughter an electric bass back in 1975.
February 2023
Robin Braverman
In memory of my grandparents
Pauline and Bundy (Andrew) Lang
January 2023
Marc Epstein
In memory of
Elaine Fingerett
who brought Klezmer joy to Northern California with her effervescent personality, accordion and kindness.
January 2023
Hershl Hartman
In honor of
Gail Rubman
January 2023
Raisa Premysler
In loving memory of
Frieda Falk
my dearest husband, Isaak, my beloved parents Anna and Mikhail Chernobelsky and grandparents, Khasya Grosman and Itzhak Gendler. From shtetl to big cities, klezmer was always a part of my family upbringing and I continue to enjoy it very much!
January 2023
Marcia Falk
In memory of
Frieda Falk
who spoke a beautiful Yiddish and instilled in me a love for mameloshn.
January 2023
Sandy Tate
In memory of
Sonia Tubridy
January 2023
Llyana Landes
In honor of
Evelyn Taylor
who is approaching the last days of her 97 years on earth. A warm, smart, loving strong and beautiful woman who gave so much to me over so many decades. You are always in my heart.
January 2023
Carol Dorf
In memory of
Rivka Greenberg
Rivka found art in the work of women, both in scholarship and in the fabric arts. She was an advocate for justice, and a warm community member.
January 2023
Barbara Borts
To the Flisik Salon leaders and participants!
This year, I want to remember my great uncle Ruby, a social and political activist, and a kind and generous man. He lived for some years in Petaluma before returning to Los Angeles, and there was part of a rich Yiddish culture which included singing in the Yiddish choir. I have some of his Yiddish books. I think he would have been delighted to learn about the flowering of Yiddish in hayntikn tog Kalifornie! And with this donation, I want to thank the leaders and participants of the Flisik Salon, who have invited me in so warmly.
January 2023
Mildred Chazin
In memory of
Julian David Chazin (Yossl Duvid Khazin)
The meaning of the last name is very obvious.
December 2022
Philip Prinz
In honor of my parents
Ruth & Erwin Prinz
December 2022
Barbara Weiss
Remembering my mother
Millie (Mindl)
who learned to speak and read Yiddish as a little girl in the Bronx and my grandmother
and my grandmother
Laura (Libka)
who spoke five languages and told stories of Kracow and skating on the Vistula River.
December 2022
Lois Pearlman
In memory of
Sonia Tubridy
Last December our music and Jewish communities lost a gold mine of excellence and dedication — Sonia Tubridy. She was a brilliant classical pianist and red-hot accordion player, but never sought the spotlight. Instead she spent her 76 years teaching piano and accordion, directing the River Choir, the Russian River Jewish Community and the Redwood Arts Council classical music series, playing with Amaryllis Trio and Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble, writing classical music reviews and accompanying countless singers. Sonia was also one of my dearest friends, neighbors and an accompanist who knew when I needed a melody note to keep me on pitch.
December 2022
Barbara Wezelman
In memory of
Rose & Ernie Wezelman
December 2022
Gail Rubman
In honor of
Renee Enteen
Who gives so generously of her time and energy to numerous refugee and other social causes, as well as to the Jewish Folk Chorus of San Francisco.
November 2022
Laura Sheppard
In honor of my mother
Hilda Sheppard
on her 98th birthday!
November 2022
Moreen Libet
In memory of
Elaine Fingerett
our band’s accordionista. In the process of sharing out her klezmer sheet music. It is now going out into the world, where she has gone.
November 2022
Mildred Chazin
In memory of
Julian David Chazin (Yossl Duvid Khazin)
the meaning of the last name is very obvious.
November 2022
Larishke un Aron (Laura and Andy)
In honor of our
California Friends
October 2022
E. Mones
In honor of my beloved bubbe
Ruth Mones
And in memory of my zeyde
Arthur Mones
With awe for our ancestors and the sweet, perennial spirit of Yidishkayt.
October 2022
Lea Delson
In memory of my beloved aunt
Ann Tukey Harrison
who left us too soon in October 2021. A brilliant scholar, she was exceptionally capable, loving and compassionate. She was a Professor of Romance Languages at Michigan State University and author of The Danse Macabre of Women: Ms. Fr. 995 of the Bibliothèque Nationale. She joined the Jewish people as an adult and became a leader in Reconstructionist Congregation Kehillat Israel in Lansing, Michigan, while also remaining close and loyal to her family of origin. She was an amazing wife, daughter, sister and aunt.
September 2022
Freda Kirkham
In memory of
Grace Paley
a brilliant writer and magnificent human being. Also a self-described “somewhat combative pacifist and cooperative anarchist.” She introduced me to written Yiddish, which, being a shiksa myself, was transformative! She also answered my fan letter and hugged me after a lecture. I’ll never forget it.
September 2022
Jerryl Lynn Rubin
In honor of
Ellie Shapiro
Congratulations on your 70th birthday Ellie and thank you for all you have done to bring Jewish music to a larger audience in all your various roles including teaching and production! May you have many more healthy and fulfilling years to follow your passions.
August 2022
Ann Bauman
In honor of
Bruce Bierman
August 2022
Anita Feinstein
In honor of
Bruce Bierman
Thank you Bruce for an interesting and passionate program.
August 2022
Philip Prinz
In memory of my parents
Ruth & Erwin Prinz
August 2022
Myra Kaplan
To the children who were killed in gun violence. May they rest in peace.
I want to honor my heritage and your programs help me do that.
July 2022
Elliot Simon
In memory of my father
Charlie Simon
my main musical mentor.
July 2022
Paul & Bev Alexander
In honor and memory of
Sonia Tubridy, Alby & Wallie Kass
July 2022
Anita Feinstein
In honor of
Judy Kunofsky
A sheynem dank. Thank you for bringing Yidishkayt to California.
July 2022
Susan Zarchy
In honor of my grandfather
Henry Lefkowitch (1891-1959)
A man of many talents — composer, arranger, publisher, editor, compiler, orchestral and choral conductor, teacher, lecturer, writer, singer, friend of music and befriender of musicians. He collected and arranged many folk songs that mirrored all phases of Jewish life, because “folk songs reflect and depict the life of a people.” My favorite fact about Papa: as a young man, he organized small orchestras and took them to Ellis Island, where they played for the waiting immigrants. For more information: Henry Lefkowitch.
July 2022
Lynne Kinsey
In honor of the
Barry Sisters Program
on June 12. My father played their albums often. When I was little I thought everyone did.
July 2022
Judy Berger
In Memory of my beloved mother
Yenta (Jeannette Weiser Berger)
(maiden name Kessler) who grew up in a household where some Yiddish was spoken. In June 2022, I attended KlezCalifornia’s workshop led by Sasha Lurje, who actually resembles my mother – almost wonder if we are related. The program unexpectedly engendered some fond memories.
July 2022
Mollee Sue Oxman Zoken
In Memory of my mother
Freida (Fritzie) Oxman
(maiden name Kessler) who grew up in a household where some Yiddish was spoken. In June 2022, I attended KlezCalifornia’s workshop led by Sasha Lurje, who actually resembles my mother – almost wonder if we are related. The program unexpectedly engendered some fond memories.
July 2022
Beverly & Paul Alexander
In Memory of
Alby & Wallie Kass
The vibrations of their music will never die away.
June 2022
Mordecai bH
In Blessed Memories of My Mother
Brana Lesnar
who drove me across Philadelphia weekly for four years to study music so she and I could play with the klezmer band she hired for my bar mitsve and who passed unexpectedly on the following Shabes, and of my own dear son Steven Kai, who passed two years ago and had been named after my baby brother who didn’t make it to his first birthday.
June 2022
Elaine Elinson
In Memory Of my Grandmother
Anna Feldman Gomberg
With deep appreciation for the diaries she left us with tales from the banks of the Rostovitsa River to the sweatshops of Chicago.
June 2022
Rosie Gozali
My father picked the car songs we sang on the way to a visit with the relatives or an occasional museum. Along with Americana songs such as, “It’s a grand old flag, it’s a high flying flag,” etc. were songs by the Barry Sisters. Being in the back seat of the car made it impossible to escape them. Oy! Who knew, that decades later I’d be part of the Jewish Folk Chorus of San Francisco, singing those same Barry Sisters songs! I grew to love them and the language they were sung in,Yiddish.
June 2022
Talia Shaham
In Honor of
Yaakov & Shulamit Goldberg
I would like to honor Yaakov and Shulamit Goldberg, nonagenarians in Palo Alto on their birthdays! I’ve known Yaakov and Shulamit most of my life as they were friends with my parents since the 1940’s. They are truly Yiddish culture lovers with deep roots, and have enjoyed KlezCalifornia events over the years and currently. Yaakov especially enjoys the music and has played the harmonica and violin, while Shulamit has always loved the dancing. May their interest in Yiddish culture continue to enrich their lives! Wishing them all the very best with love.
June 2022
Barbara, Marc & Larry
In Memory of our beloved
Alfredo Rothenberg
Never forgotten, always in our hearts and minds.
June 2022
Diana Lieb
In Honor Of
Michael Wex
In honor of Michael Wex and his erudition. I always learn so much when Michael lectures on Yiddish. The more I study Yiddish, the more I appreciate the lived experience and background knowledge he shares.
May 2022
Diana Scott & Joel Schechter
In Memory Of
Barnett Zumoff
(1926-2021), internationally recognized endocrinologist and camp doctor, lover of Yiddish language and culture, translator of Yiddish poetry (Sutzkever, Glatstein), member of Jewish Currents magazine’s editorial board, president of the Workmen’s Circle and the Forward Association, and co-president of the Congress of Jewish Culture. In remembrance, with deep appreciation, of his contributions to Yiddish and “a shenere un besere velt far ale.”
May 2022
Workers Circle/Arbeter Ring of Northern California
In Memory Of
Rochelle Goldman
(1925-2020), classically trained singer and outspoken advocate for the rights of marginalized groups (women, the aged, Muslims, Jews), board member of Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring of Northern California, original teacher of our free bi-weekly Yiddish classes at the SF Public Library (2013 through 2018) which continue online today. In remembrance, with deep appreciation, of her contributions to Yiddish and “a shenere un besere velt far ale.”
May 2022
Ellen Gierson
In Memory Of
My Grandmother Ida
Thank you Grandma Ida ז״ל for instilling in me such wonderful Yidishkayt. You spoke to me in the only language you knew, taught me about how to be in the world: a mensch, of course! Remembering your words: “Do the right thing, keep tzedakah, harm no one, help all, go to shul.”
May 2022
Ellie Schweber
In Honor Of
Jeff Warschauer & Deborah Strauss
for their work keeping Yiddish music alive.
May 2022
Grace & Andrey Feuerverger
In Honor Of
Michael Wex
for his brilliant lecture.
April 2022
Gale Kissin
In Grateful Memory Of
Dena & Kenny Kissin
for the transmission of yidishkayt in language, justice, politics, and music.
April 2022
Janet Weinberg
In Memory Of My Late Husband
Walter
and the beers Michael Wex and Walter shared at KlezKamp. Walter attended to keep me company and enjoyed it so much he told everyone he knew about it and tried to recruit others for the following years. And we can thank Ken Maltz for assuring him he would enjoy it. I now live in Northern Cal but will catch you (Michael Wex) if you come here.
April 2022
Lynn Feingold
In Memory Of My Father
Bobby Feingold
who died at a young age of 52: I was 18. We owned a family department store in a small southern town where he taught us kids Yiddish! My father was a community leader and made sure we were safe as Jews isolated in a small town in the Deep South. He fought for Civil Rights in the 1960’s under the threat of boycott but was able to save our family business. He was a true mensch steeped in Jewish Yiddishe heritage and Southern charm.
April 2022
Raisa Premysler
In Loving Memory Of
My dearest husband, ISAAK, my beloved parents, ANNA and MIKHAIL CHERNOBELSKY, and grandparents, KHASYA GROSMAN and ITZHAK GENDLER. All of the above-mentioned people either taught me or shared my LOVE for Klezmorim! May their memory be always a blessing!
April 2022
Miriam Isaacs
In Memory Of
Professor Dov Noy
The great Yiddish folklorist and Yiddish lover.
April 2022
Barbara Borts
In Memory Of
Abraham Borts
I learned my first Yiddish from the family that immigrated to California, on both my mother and father’s side. My parents were born in Los Angeles, and my brother and I were born in Los Angeles. My parents learned their Yiddish in Boyle Heights, but by the time I was born, there was little Jewish community left there and little Yiddish life altogether in California. But there was Yiddish sprinkled around my family, which ignited my love for Yiddish and, in particular, from tatenyu, my father Avremeleh. I am delighted to support Yiddish life in California, where I was born, from England, where I live.
March 2022
Moreen Libet
In Memory Of our beloved accordion player
Elaine Fingerett
She found and spread fun and joy in music wherever she went. KlezCalifornia workshops provided a special source of nourishment.
March 2022
Alixe Dancer
In Honor Of
My Parents
My parents sent me to JPFO shul 121 and Camp Kinderland.
The best gifts they could have given me.
March 2022
Keith Mostov & Emily L. Silverman
In Memory Of
David C. Levin
Emliy’s late brother-in-law
March 2022
Avram & Ziona Tassa
In Honor Of
Talia Shaham
who exposed me to Yiddish culture.
February 2022
Len Goldschmidt
In Honor Of
Judy Kunofsky
You are doing a great job supporting the revival of Yiddish.
February 2022
Nina Zipkin-Berry
In Memory Of My Grandparents
Joseph & Reyzl Tilles
and David & Manya Zipkin
They were all immigrants and native Yiddish speakers. I inherited my love of Yiddish directly from them. Thank you, Klez California, for keeping this heritage alive!
February 2022
Carol Weiss
In Honor Of
my musical, “The Door to America”
February 2022
Elaine Moise & Bob Brodsky
In Memory Of
Joe & Lillian Grodsky
who loved Yiddish language and culture
February 2022
Jo Falcon
In Honor Of
Mira Z. Amiras
whose wonderful (and wonder-filled) weekly study session Beit Malkhut – A conversation between an anthropologist and a musician along with a growing virtual minyen has transformed my understanding of Judaism – and especially for her lovely animated film, “The Day Before Creation” has been winning awards world-wide – from the Jewzys to the Istanbul Film Awards (Yes! Not a typo). I have no idea why the S.F. Jewish Film Festival missed out but look for this to stream soon. It’s a mekhaye.
February 2022
Howard Freedman
In Memory Of
Jewlia Eisenberg z”l
May her voice continue to be heard.
February 2022
Andres Freedman
In Honor Of
my music teachers
February 2022
Patricia Campbell
In Memory Of My Grandfather
Phillip Taishoff
who claimed he could travel anywhere in the world and get by speaking Yiddish.
And then he did.
February 2022
Anonymous
In honor of my mother of blessed memory
Chava bas Yitzhak
February 2022
Lois Pearlman
In memory of my parents
Beatrice & Samuel Pearlman
And my Grandparents
Malke & Berl Pearlman
who gave me the gift of Yiddish and knowing that the world abounds in the richness of many languages.
February 2022
Henry Goldberg
In honor of
Sara Nicholson Goldberg
In honor of my mother’s deep love of Yiddish, of klezmer music, of dancing, and Jewish culture.
February 2022
Jerryl Lynn Rubin
In Memory of
Sam Oliner, PhD
a Polish holocaust survivor who was rescued by a nearby farm family, and dedicated his work and life to “The Institute of Altruistic Behavior,” studying in three countries why and who risked their lives to rescue a Jewish person. May his memory be a blessing.
February 2022