for residents of the jewish home of san francisco FEBRUARY 2016

SWEETHEARTS, SUPER BOWL, SPECIAL SESSIONS … SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM! Sweetheart’s Day songs and sweet treats – Feb. 14, 2:00 p.m., F1 coffee bar Super Bowl kick-off – Feb. 7, 3:30 p.m., F1 Jewish New York Travelogue and History – Feb. 11, 2:00 p.m., Frank Family Lounge

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2016

2 MEMORIES 14 BRAVO! Tricycles and table manners Employees of the month ~ January & Rudy Hooremans February 3 FAMILY BARBECUES 16 A KING OF COMEDY Ellen Marks-Hinkle A biographical sketch of the late Alan King 3 A LOVING LETTER FROM ELLEN 18 COUNCIL OF RESIDENTS MARKS-HINKLE TO BERNICE HUNOLD, December & January meeting minutes OF BLESSED MEMORY 19 IN MEMORY 4 SPECIAL MEMORIES OF YESTERYEAR Francine Hament 20 WIT & HUMOR Seeing the funny (Jewish) side of life 5 REACHING FOR “THE REACHER” Francine Hament 21 A SMALL ASSORTMENT OF TINY TRIVIA 5 QUOTES TO LIVE BY 22 RESIDENTS’ BIRTHDAYS Courtesy of Phyllis Wolf February celebrants 6 “WE’VE GOT RHYTHM” Chanukah show 2015 captures characters, chanteuse, chorus, and chortles 13 LEARNING AND LOGIC Submitted by Edie Sadewitz

AT HOME contents are for the benefit of residents SUBMIT TO AT HOME! of the Jewish Home. At Home is based on the E-mail submissions by the 15th: tradition of free expression; submissions made Ilana Glaun: [email protected] by residents should be viewed as not necessarily representing the opinion, position or policies of HANDWRITTEN SUBMISSIONS to staff or the Home. switchboard by the 15th, or ask recreation staff for assistance. EDITING without approval of the author is a staff editor: Ilana Glaun reserved right, due to space and time constraints. designer: Michael Wickler Only content written or submitted by those connected with the Home will be accepted.

JEWISH HOME 1 SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENTS WRITE

ADAPTED FROM MEMORIES By Rudy Hooremans Rudy Hooremans

TRICYLES AND Table manners were drilled into me from the TABLE MANNERS moment I managed to hold a spoon. Right hand for I certainly wasn’t a pushy kid, not exactly the fork and, before I was old enough to use a knife, shy, but definitely timid. Among other toys, a schuivertje, a pusher (it had a non-cutting blade I had a tricycle which I liked to take outside perpendicular to the handle) to assist my left hand and ride back and forth on the sidewalk. in getting the food onto the fork. Elbows close to The other kids on the block also liked to your side, not sticking out horizontally, and never, ride the tricycle, so Willie Korn, the eldest ever on the table. I was well taught! daughter of our upstairs neighbors (and Moeder’s best friend was Jopie Bierman. She lived landlord), being the oldest of the group, in Amsterdam with her mother, Oma Bierman. Every organized the riding order. She would once in a while Tante Jopie would come visit us in make us stand in line and wait our turn. The Hague. She loved me and invariably wanted to Somehow, timid me constantly found take me home with her. I had no objection to going himself at the end of the line. After a while, I with Tante Jopie, nor to visiting her mother, because would go back inside, sans tricycle, but our I would get thoroughly spoiled. Candy, cake, all the maid, Anna, would take me right back out things I loved and wouldn’t always get at home, and again, and firmly set Willie and the others when it came to dinner, if there was something I straight. Nobody dared argue with her! didn’t care for, of course I didn’t have to eat it, like at home. Oma Bierman would always have something Manners were something my parents considered more to my taste. Tante Jopie would drag me to be of the utmost importance (as did society as a around to all her relatives to show off me and my whole in the early part of the 20th century). In those head full of light brown curls, and to brag about my days, in company, children were to be seen but not exemplary table manners. heard. When answering an adult, you used two words, either “Ja” or “Nee, Meneer/Mevrouw” (“Yes” Read more of Rudy’s memories in next month’s or “No, Sir/Ma’am”). Friends of the family could never issue of AtHome. be addressed by just their name, but were always Tante (Aunt) or Oom (Uncle) so-and-so.

AT HOME 2 FEBRUARY 2016 A LOVING LETTER FROM ELLEN MARKS-HINKLE TO BERNICE Ellen Marks-Hinkle HUNOLD, OF BLESSED MEMORY FAMILY BARBECUES By Ellen Marks-Hinkle No matter what the weather, our family always got together for a barbecue. We went to Mt. Tamalpais, where my dad would put hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. It was such a thrill!

It was usually in the fog, but that didn’t bother us; Bernice Hunold Photo by Ray Hunold we never made a fuss. My dearest Bernice, My mom made the most delicious potato salad. (In fact, it was better than a John Denver ballad!) I am so happy that we were such close friends for We also had homemade orangeade, also made by a few years. We talked on the phone and made my mother. each other break into hearty laughter. We were also very serious and knew everything about each We were steadfast San Franciscans, and my father other, including the most personal and intimate was forever making decisions for finding coastal things imaginable. I always looked forward to parks where we could not make a spark. reading your stories in At Home, and loved looking at the beautiful photo taken of you by your late We went to Gerstle Park in San Rafael, where the husband, Ray. terrain was a little hilly. My older brother John and I acted a little bit silly. Some of the pathways were Bernice, you are one of the two women I know who covered with tree branches and greens, which are positively brilliant. I treasure the four paintings looked just like a chuppah. you did that hang in my room.

We also loved driving through Muir Woods, Stinson I will really miss you, dear friend. In fact, words are Beach, and Bolinas. We ended the day close to not adequate to convey just how much. Tomales Bay. Love, Ellen These coastal towns were part of where I had my first job as a speech and language pathologist.

JEWISH HOME 3 SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENTS WRITE

Francine Hament

Home, we have many elders in that age group, who SPECIAL MEMORIES are busy painting, singing, and enjoying the variety OF YESTERYEAR of activities offered. By Francine Hament Never assume anything about anybody. Many silent people are there in some sense – remembering, It just hit me one day last week of the reliving, foot tapping to some music of the heart. many years (like 30!) that I taught living history classes in many Marin nursing People sometimes forget who you are and what homes, sponsored by the College of Marin, you’ve said minutes after you’ve said it, but they live where I was an adult education instructor. in the moment, and these moments string together to form memories of the heart. One of our Jewish Home residents reminded me of a lovely woman in her nineties, who sat quietly Each person has a story to tell, a life they have in my class, week after week, never participating lived and shared with loved ones. They were once verbally. Later, she told me she learned just by people of stature, and if you take the time to listen listening and that she especially enjoyed the origins and observe, you might see they are still people of of things – such as the development of the safety stature to the best of their present-day abilities. pin, or the history of canned food, and why it took 50 years between canned food’s inception and the These wonderful people of yesteryear remain with invention of the can opener. (What did people use?) me (obviously!) and fill my life here at the Jewish Home with rich memories. This woman’s decision not to join the conversation was because she learned just by listening, and I learned that not everyone needs to share verbally.

This wonderful woman was kind enough to call me a treasure (what a compliment!) and I called her a 90’s woman. In those days, being 90-anything was quite a feat. (Only later did I learn that she had been the principal of a high school for 45 years.)

Do you remember that our president at that time, FDR, would mail you a congratulatory award on reaching the age of 100? Well, here at our Jewish

AT HOME 4 FEBRUARY 2016 REACHING FOR “THE REACHER” By Francine Hament How many of you readers have ever had this experience? I hope I’m not the only one. Phyllis Wolf One day, in the not so distant past, I was reaching for a dropped-on-the-floor object with my reacher when that, too, dropped on the floor. So there I QUOTES TO LIVE BY was, without my reacher – or, to be clearer, I was Courtesy of Phyllis Wolf “reacherless.” “If you are depressed, then you What to do? We, here at the Jewish Home, are allotted only one reacher. are living in the past. If you are anxious, then you Desperation was setting in at this point because are living in the future. what I was reaching for was this very article! But along came fate, in the form of a floating CNA, If you are at peace, then you looking for something useful to do. are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu (570-490 BCE), You can guess the rest. I gratefully thanked and Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism hugged the CNA – in that order. We even promised to meet for a coffee in our garden café. (You could “Talk not of wasted affection; say I was coffee or latte grateful!) Affection never was wasted.” This experience set me to wondering: What does – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow one do when one finds oneself in this rather annoying sort of situation? Beg for an extra “Our greatness is being able apparatus for people like me who drop things, or to remake ourselves.” hope that the powers-that-be put it on the top of – Mahatma Gandhi their “To do” list? “Know well what leads you forward Maybe a robot or two could be programmed to and what holds you back, and choose fetch and retrieve? (Wishful thinking, perhaps.) How much are robots selling for these days, anyway? the path that leads to wisdom.” – Buddha Maybe the future is now. Or maybe I shouldn’t be so clumsy. Or, just maybe, I’m not so clumsy and it “Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, simply gave me this opportunity to write something the melody of the mind, and the harmony for our newsletter? You pick one! of the soul create the symphony of life.”

To one and all: Happy reaching! – BKS Iyengar

JEWISH HOME 5 SAN FRANCISCO HAPPENINGS AT HOME “WE’VE GOT RHYTHM” Chanukah show 2015 captures characters, chanteuse, chorus, and chortles

Edie Sadewitz brings the satirical voice and critical take of Dorothy Parker to the stage. Dulce Martinez (right) pays close attention.

Edie Sadewitz channels the wit and wisdom “She was pleased to have him come and never sorry of Dorothy Parker. to see him go.” “And if my heart be scarred and burned, the safer, I, Dorothy Parker was born to Henry and Elizabeth for all I learned.” Rothschild in 1893. She was a founding member of “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it the Algonquin Round Table, an informal gathering isn’t true.” of writers who lunched there. This “Vicious Circle” “A hangover is the wrath of grapes.” included Robert Benchley, Edna Ferber and Groucho Marx, and was known for its scathing wit “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal and intellectual commentary. lobotomy.” “Money cannot buy health, but I’d settle for a Here are a few witticisms – from the equally witty diamond-studded wheelchair.” Edie – from the aforementioned Parker: “His voice was as intimate as the rustle of sheets.” “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure “Take care of the luxuries and the necessities will for curiosity.” take care of themselves.” “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to “She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B.” the bone.” – Dorothy Parker’s assessment of Katherine Hepburn. “I don’t know much about being a millionaire, but I’ll “Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song, a medley of bet I’d be darling at it.” extemporanea, and love is a thing that can never go “Brevity is the soul of lingerie.” wrong, and I am Marie of Romania.”

AT HOME 6 FEBRUARY 2016 “I’m not a writer of a drinking problem, I’m a drinker with a writing problem.” *** “Living well is the best revenge.” “Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.” ***

All is in harmony with Fran Hament’s solo turn.

Sung with feeling, it just had to be Fran Hament doing “It Had To Be You”

Well may Edie Shaffer smile her lovely IT HAD TO BE YOU smile. She’s a prime parodist! Personified by Fran Hament

Edie Shaffer, parodist sublime, wrote the following lines. Why do I do just as you say Why must I just give you your way Why do I sigh THERE’S NO PEOPLE LIKE US Why don’t I try to forget A send-up by Edie Shaffer It must have been that something lovers call fate There’s no people like old people, we’re old people Kept me saying “I had to wait” we know I saw them all Everything about us is appalling Just couldn’t fall ‘til we met As you see we’ve lost our youthful glow It had to be you, it had to be you You may catch us with our eyelids falling I’ve wandered around, finally found somebody who But we’re just stalling to take our bows Could make me be true There’s no people like old people, we’re old people Could make me be blue we know And even be glad just to be sad thinkin’ of you If at times we may forget a word or two Some others I’ve seen We’ll keep on singing our songs for you Might never be mean Next day you may see us on the evening news Might never be cross We won an Oscar, but we refuse Or try to be boss We just want to go on singing songs we choose But they wouldn’t do Let’s get on with the show For nobody else gave me a thrill Let’s get on with the show! With all your faults, I love you still

JEWISH HOME 7 SAN FRANCISCO It had to be you, wonderful you The same in the rain and sun It had to be you Two different faces, but in tight places ‘Cause nobody else gave me a thrill We think and we act as one With all your faults, I love you still now Those who’ve seen us And it had to be you, it just had to be you Know that not a thing could come between us It had to be you Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can Lord help the mister who comes between me and *** my sister And lord help the sister who comes between me and my man ***

When it comes to singing “Sisters, Sisters” the pairing of Edna Lachar and Marnie St Clair is spot on.

Marnie St Clair and Edna Lachar bonded anew over their duet – a delightful rendition of an Irving Berlin Once again, it was a pretty terrific composition. performance from Claire Shor.

Claire Shor had the audience falling in love with her SISTERS, SISTERS and her rollicking performance of “Pretty Baby” Delivered by Marnie St Clair & Edna Lachar

Sisters, sisters PRETTY BABY There were never such devoted sisters, Performed by Claire Shor Never had to have a chaperone, no sir, I’m there to keep my eye on her Everybody loves a baby Caring, sharing That’s why I’m in love with you Every little thing that we are wearing Pretty baby, pretty baby When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome And I’d like to be your sister She wore the dress, and I stayed home Brother, dad and mother too All kinds of weather, we stick together Pretty baby, pretty baby

AT HOME 8 FEBRUARY 2016 Won’t you come and let me A YEAR IN REVIEW Rock you in my cradle of love? And we’ll cuddle all the time AT THE REVUE Oh, I want a lovin’, baby Written and recited by Ellen Marks-Hinkle And it might as well be you Much has changed for me since our 2014 Pretty baby of mine Chanukah show. Everybody loves a baby I’ve been elected vice president of the That’s why I’m in love with you Residents Council. Pretty baby, pretty baby It’s a job with many responsibilities that, at times by And I’d like to be your sister nightfall, I’m still quite grounded. Brother, dad and mother too However, sometimes I feel like a wilted daisy Pretty baby, pretty baby Maybe I’m going a smidge crazy! Won’t you come and let me I’m busier than last year by more than 100 Rock you in my cradle of love? percent up And we’ll cuddle all the time Just like a dreamy-eyed new pup Oh, I want a lovin’ baby I’m writing poetry for the At Home And it might as well be you monthly magazine. Pretty baby of, pretty baby of I love doing it, it’s so much fun Pretty baby of mine I never feel like I have to run. The topics are varied; I never feel harried. *** Everything in my life has always been eclectic I wish I had the power to be electric! I still love going to live productions at the Orpheum, Curran or Golden Gate. If something fantastic is coming, I now have the patience to wait. I go to the theatre with my lovely friend Susan Schulman. Susan has led our services when our wonderful and wise Rabbi Marder is out of town. Susan never leaves our synagogue community down. Susan also cooks artichokes for me. They are my most favorite food (no matter what mood!) I once gave a tiny one to Edie Sadewitz, our fantastic president emeritus. Last year I said that my father ate so much Chanukah gelt He had to go upstairs and loosen his belt. With catchy words and rhyming phrases, Now I’ve found that during Chanukah if I indulge in Ellen Marks-Hinkle made us au courant. too much Chanukah gelt I will never, ever be svelte. Ellen Marks-Hinkle brings us up-to-date with her Several friends have passed away; it’s hard to let it original round-up not dampen your day. Enjoy your Chanukah, everyone.

JEWISH HOME 9 SAN FRANCISCO Play dreidel, light the menorah candles, sing songs and dance the horah. TOMATOES Continue to enjoy your holiday schmeer. By Bernice Hunold Eat it quickly before it’s gone For lunch today I had a tomato surprise, and a story Or you’ll have to say, “Oy vey iz mir!” jumped out of it. A true story. It’s about my husband, Most of our minds are filled with clarity Ray, the photographer. Which around the Jewish Home is not a rarity. Many of you know Ray, and think of him as a sweet, I hope that you are enjoying our holiday show. giving kind of guy who is always doing things for Happy Chanukah, everyone! people. Well, that’s only one side of him, let me tell you. There’s another side to Ray. A dark side. A black *** side, in fact, a blackmail side. Although it is with deep sadness that we acknowledge It’s all because of his love of tomatoes, the real the passing of Bernice Hunold on January 23, this kind, the ones that run all juicy in your mouth. Ray talented performer and writer gave us so many decided that he’d had enough of plastic-tasting opportunities to enjoy and appreciate her singular tomatoes to last a lifetime. He was going to get style, sense of humor, and artistry. In that vein, we some garden tomatoes. He thought about gardens, honor Bernice’s memory and her superior storytelling and came up with three gardens he knew, with with this tale she told at the show of Ray and his friends attached. yearning for real-tasting tomatoes. May Bernice’s He called his friends with the biggest garden, Tom memory be for a blessing; she will be missed. and Pris in Santa Cruz. No “How are you?” or “What’s new?” Ray got straight to the point. “Tom? Ray here. You growing tomatoes in your garden? “You are growing tomatoes? Good. Can you and Pris come to dinner two weeks from Saturday? Good. You bring the tomatoes.” Two weeks from Saturday arrived. Tom and Pris arrived. But no tomatoes. “Ray, don’t look at me that way,” said Tom. “Our tomatoes aren’t ripe yet. They’re small and green, like marbles.” Ray resigned himself to another tomato-less evening. The next day he called another garden friend, John, in Berkeley. “John? Ray here. Do you have any ripe, red tomatoes in your garden? [Ray wasn’t going to make that Bernice Hunold (z”l) mistake again.] August 27, 1918 – January 23, 2016 “You don’t know? Even if you had tomatoes as big as basketballs you couldn’t see them for the weeds? But John, I thought you and Elsa were going to nurse the garden into shape. Oh, I forgot, you’ve only been married three weeks. Of course you have

AT HOME 10 FEBRUARY 2016 other things to do. Okay, John, see ya.” Next Ray called the owner of the smallest garden, Andrea, in Menlo Park. “Hi, Andrea. Ray here. Are you growing tomatoes, ripe tomatoes? You are? Great! But there’s only a small crop this year? Andrea, you know those clippings you want, reviews of operas? Well, there may be only a small crop of them this year. That’s blackmail? Yes, it’s blackmail, but you’re talking to a desperate man.” Andrea came to dinner the very next Saturday. She brought three big luscious red tomatoes. I tenderly placed them in a cut-glass bowl and put the bowl in front of Ray. Andrea didn’t touch those tomatoes at dinner. Neither did I. We both wanted Ray to have all three tomatoes. Did he object? Not very strenuously. But what can you expect of a man who resorts to blackmail because of his passion for tomatoes? ***

Chorus members Debbie Dressler and Paul Abramowitz, who was in appropriate holiday mode with a wearable menorah. Sherie Koshover put her drums aside to have her photo taken with musical director and pianist Randy Craig, who did his (successful) best to ham it up for the camera.

JEWISH HOME 11 SAN FRANCISCO HAPPENINGS AT HOME

Cast and crew of the 2015 Chanukah show gathered for a party in the Frank Family Lounge, which was decorated in a motif that recreational programs director Mediatrix Valera dubbed “the Jewish Home cinema.” The lighting was dim and atmospheric and dreamy, counterbalanced by bright star cutouts that decorated all the tables. There was delicious food prepared by our Nutritional Services staff, such as large soft pretzels, nachos with the works and babka, with refreshing Italian sodas and classic Kir Royales. Everyone had a fabulous time and pronounced it as a unique experience. We say, “Bravo!”

AT HOME 12 FEBRUARY 2016 LEARNING AND LOGIC Submitted by Edie Sadewitz, via her friend Sheila Kay A young man knocks on the door of a great Talmudic scholar. “Rabbi, I wish to study Talmud.” “Do you know Aramaic?” “No.” Edie Sadewitz “Hebrew?” “No.” clean face thinks his face is dirty. So the burglar with “Have you ever studied the Talmud or the Torah?” a clean face washes. When the one with a dirty face sees him washing, however, he realizes his face must “No, Rabbi, but I graduated from Harvard summa be dirty too. Thus, both wash.” cum laude in philosophy, and received a Ph.D. from Yale. I’d like to round out my education with a bit of “I didn’t think of that. Please ask me another.” Talmud.” “Two burglars come down a chimney. One emerges “I doubt that you’re ready for Talmud. It is the with a clean face, the other with a dirty face. Which broadest and deepest of books. If you wish, one washes his face?” however, I will examine you in logic, and if you pass “Well, we know both wash.” the test, I will teach you Talmud.” “Wrong. Neither washes. Examine the logic. The one “Good. I’m well versed in logic.” with the dirty face thinks his face is clean. The one “First question. Two burglars come down a chimney. with the clean face thinks his face is dirty. But when One emerges with a clean face, the other with a clean-face sees that dirty-face doesn’t bother to dirty face. Which one washes his face?” wash, he also doesn’t bother. So neither washes. As you can see, you are not ready for Talmud.” “The burglar with the dirty face.” “Rabbi, please, give me one more test.” “Wrong. The one with the clean face. Examine the logic. The burglar with a dirty face looks at the one “All right. Two burglars come down a chimney. One with a clean face and thinks his face is clean. The emerges with a clean face, the other with a dirty one with a clean face looks at the burglar with a face. Which one washes his face?” dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So the one “Neither!” with the clean face washes.” “Wrong. And perhaps now you will see why Harvard “Very clever. Another question please.” and Yale cannot prepare you for Talmud. Tell me, “Two burglars come down a chimney. One emerges how is it possible that two men come down the with a clean face, the other with a dirty face. Which same chimney, and one emerges with a clean face, one washes his face?” while the other has a dirty face?” “We established that. The burglar with the clean “But you’ve just given me four contradictory answers face washes.” to the same question! That’s impossible!” “Wrong. Both wash. Examine the logic. The one with “No, my son, that’s Talmud.” a dirty face thinks his face is clean. The one with a

JEWISH HOME 13 SAN FRANCISCO

CUT HERE BRAVO! EMPLOYEE OF THE BRAVO! MONTH NOMINATION FORM EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH I, , JANUARY nominate for the Bravo! Employee of the WHAT STAFF AND/OR RESIDENTS Month Award for the month of AND PATIENTS WROTE IN THEIR NOMINATIONS: . Performs “beyond the call of duty” to CHARLES BOISSEVAIN, improve service to the residents, or the EXECUTIVE CHEF quality of the Jewish Home’s image. Exemplifies professionalism and dedication Charles routinely goes above to excellent service by putting forth the and beyond to make sure extra effort. that the birthday luncheons and other special events Makes outstanding contributions of exceed expectations. He significance to the Jewish Home to fulfill its focuses on providing quality mission/vision. and service, while working I feel he/she should receive the award within budgetary guidelines. because: He ensures the food is not only prepared in a traditional manner, but also likes to keep current and try new ideas in food preparation.

OWEN MORALES, CNA Dedicated to the giving of quality care, Owen provided service and support that was exceptional. His attention to my needs was always timely SUBMIT THIS FORM to your recreation and professional. coordinator by the 1st of the month for the following month’s award consideration. Or you can place it in the nomination box located at the self-service area in the H.R. department, 1st floor, B-building, or hand-deliver it to the H.R. department, or e-mail it to [email protected].

Bravo! is generously underwritten by Jewish Home supporters Dana Corvin and Harris Weinberg.

AT HOME 14 FEBRUARY 2016 EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH FEBRUARY

WHAT STAFF AND/OR RESIDENTS AND PATIENTS WROTE IN THEIR NOMINATIONS:

ERNEST CASTELLO, FACILITIES COORDINATOR

Ernest performs beyond the call of duty to improve service to the residents and employees. A dedicated, hardworking and pleasant employee, he exemplifies professionalism. We take pride in having Ernest in the department. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Beautiful baubles – and more – all ILEANA D’MARKHAM, CNA at one fantastic price that sparkles Ileana has been providing dedicated and nurturing Make a point of coming early for the best support to residents and selection of Masquerade’s beautiful – and patients for over 20 years. bargain – $5.00 jewelry and accessories sale. She is always willing to go the extra mile and always has a smile on her face. She WHEN Thursday, February 25, 9:00 a.m. – does not see residents and 5:00 p.m. and Friday, February 26, patients, she sees people, and 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. treats everyone in a dignified and respectful manner. She WHERE Goodman Building Lobby takes the time to get to know who she is working with, and WHY Reason #1 – All proceeds from the creates a special and unique sale benefit residents’ programs relationship with them. A and services. team player who executes all tasks she is given, she is Reason #2 – Everyone should treat always willing to help anyone themselves, or a loved one, or a dear at any time. friend, to lovely bangles and beads (and more), or to something fabulous to accessorize that favorite outfit.

JEWISH HOME 15 SAN FRANCISCO A KING OF COMEDY

Adapted from a New York Times article Alan King was a stand-up comedian who parlayed a borscht-belt sense of humor, a tummler’s cheek and a big appetite for the limelight into a thoroughgoing show business career that lasted more than half a century. He was an unabashed exemplar of Jewish comedy, a through-and-through New Yorker whose sensibility, delivery, and accent never migrated far from their Brooklyn roots. As a boy he worked in the Catskills and sang on the radio, and he was schooled in the rimshot wisecrack by Milton Berle.

Mr. King met Berle at the New York nightclub Over time, he evolved from a traditional joke-telling Leon and Eddie’s, becoming the older comedian’s comedian into an astute addresser of audiences. protégé and sometimes sharing dinner with him He became especially well known through his 56 at Lindy’s while he was still a teenager. But Mr. appearances – only the Italian puppet mouse Topo King was never Berlesque in his own work, never Gigio and the Canadian comedy team Wayne and the self-mocking goofball. He grew into his own Schuster had more – on The Ed Sullivan Show during swaggering persona – part impatient executive, the 1950s and ’60s, and his frequent guest-host part cranky citizen, part bedeviled husband and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny father – complete with elegant haberdashery, a Carson. But that was hardly the extent of his long cigar and, frequently, an expression that ambition or his fame. seemed to indicate he had just eaten something disagreeable and was striving to rid his mouth of an A prolific nightclub performer and renowned unpleasant taste. toastmaster who became a member of the Friars

AT HOME 16 FEBRUARY 2016 Club in 1945 – shortly after he opened for Frank Bernard, was a handbag cutter. Both his parents Sinatra and shortly before doing the same, at the were Russian immigrants, and as he recalled in his Palace Theater, for Judy Garland – he was a man autobiography, Name-Dropping: The Life and Lies of who rarely met a podium he didn’t like. And he Alan King, when he took his mother, Minnie, to see stood on some important ones. In January 1961, he Fiddler on the Roof, he thought the fictional village was the M.C. for part of President John F. Kennedy’s of Anatevka might bring back memories of her own inaugural party; in 1972, he was host of the childhood village. “And when the show was over Academy Awards. and we were back on the street,” Mr. King wrote, “I said, ‘Ma, how did you enjoy it? Did it bring back “Modesty is not one of my virtues,” King said in an memories?’ ‘It was wonderful,’ she said. ‘Only I don’t interview in 1993. Stretched by ambition, his career remember so much singing.’” included 29 films as a character actor (he specialized in rabbis, show business agents and gangsters) and Mr. King seemed to know – or at least to have met – myriad guest appearances on television, not to everyone in New York, Hollywood, Washington, Las mention, in 1986, a pilot film for a never-broadcast Vegas and a few other places besides, from David sitcom, The Alan King Show, in which he was to play Dinkins to Henny Youngman, from the Kennedys to a beleaguered college professor. the McEnroes, from Frank Sinatra and Jack Benny to Bugsy Siegel and Jesse Owens. (Even the family He was a producer of both film and theater (his house in Great Neck had a pedigree: it was built by Broadway credits included The Lion in Winter in Oscar Hammerstein.) 1968); he was host of Inside the Comedy Mind, a series of interviews with other comedians that was After performing for the British royal family, the a staple on Comedy Central in that cable channel’s story goes, he was introduced to Queen Elizabeth. early days; he was an executive producer of the Toyota Comedy Festival in New York from 1992 to “How do you do, Mr. King?” she is reported to 2002. A well-known tennis fanatic, he founded a have said. pro tournament, the Alan King Tennis Classic, in Las Vegas, which he sponsored at Caesars Palace in “How do you do, Mrs. Queen?” he is said to the 1970’s. have replied.

He was the author of five books, including The Even his wife was impressed by this who’s who. Alan King Great Jewish Joke Book and a collection of Although he often made use of marital humor in his reminiscences, Matzo Balls for Breakfast and Other act (“If you want to read about love and marriage, Memories of Growing Up Jewish. He also appeared you’ve got to buy two separate books”), she recalled onstage, such as the title role in Mr. Goldwyn, a 2002 in her own wry chapter of Mr. King’s autobiography Off Broadway play about the movie mogul Samuel that putting up with it was worth something. Goldwyn, whom Mr. King portrayed as a man of chutzpah and brass very much like himself. “I met the queen of England,” she wrote, “and Clark Gable.” Less well known was his charity work, which included fund-raising for the Nassau Center for A gardener, King was especially proud of his roses, Emotionally Disturbed Children on Long Island, his but stopping to smell them, he said, wasn’t as establishment of a chair in dramatic arts at Brandeis pleasurable as making people laugh. and the founding of the Alan King Diagnostic Medical Center in Jerusalem. “You only live once,” he said.

Alan King was born Irwin Alan Kniberg on Dec. 26, 1927, in Brooklyn; he grew up in Williamsburg and on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. His father,

JEWISH HOME 17 SAN FRANCISCO COUNCIL OF RESIDENTS Heaters in the rooms and dining room were December 16, 2015 minutes adjusted by plant operations. CNAs were reminded to take their break time Council president Edie Shaffer called as scheduled, such that there is adequate staff the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. and assigned on F1. introduced the officers in attendance. Kyle Ruth-Islas, director of progams, congratulated all the Chanukah show performers. Mediatrix Valera read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were approved as presented. Mediatrix reminded the gathering of Alan Silverman’s armchair safari presentation on Edie Shaffer read two cards from chief advancement Thursday, December 18, 2:00 p.m. in the Frank officer Sherie Koshover – one thanking the Council Family Lounge. for the Safeway holiday gift card to staff, the other wishing residents a happy Chanukah. Fran Hament commended recreation coordinator Laura Weston on her interesting The names of residents who had passed away activity programming and for her good work, since the last meeting were read. No new residents especially on F1. were admitted. Treasurer Claire Shor gave the financial report. There was $0 in deposits and $0 in withdrawals, RAFFLE WINNER maintaining the balance at $252.71 in the checking Daniel Silverman was the lucky winner of this account and $10 in petty cash. month’s raffle. The members were reminded that copies of the The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m. Residents’ Bill of Rights as well as the Theft and Recorded by Mediatrix Valera Loss Prevention Procedures are always available to residents, and that copies are on hand at all Recreational Programs Director and Council meetings. Council Secretary

FOOD FORUM January 13, 2016 minutes Food Forum minutes were distributed. Council president Edie Shaffer called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. and NEW BUSINESS introduced the officers in attendance. Vice president Ellen Marks-Hinkle suggested Mediatrix Valera read the minutes of the previous inviting David Nigel to speak to the residents. She meeting, which were approved as presented. will find out the topic of interest and schedule with Mediatrix. The names of residents who had passed away since the last meeting, as well as those newly admitted, The following matters were raised and acted upon were read. by those concerned: Treasurer Claire Shor gave the financial report. The recorded voice mail message on F1’s phone There was $0 in deposits and $0 in withdrawals, has been changed to be more customer service- maintaining the balance at $252.71 in the checking oriented. account and $10 in petty cash.

AT HOME 18 FEBRUARY 2016 The members were reminded that copies of the Residents’ Bill of Rights as well as the Theft and Loss Prevention Procedures are always available IN MEMORY to residents, and that copies are on hand at all YAZEP ALEXANDER Council meetings. December 13, 1923 to January 16, 2016 ESFIR BABINA June 3, 1930 to January 19, 2016 FOOD FORUM LEONA BAIN Food Forum minutes were distributed. April 19, 1925 to December 29, 2015 MARIYA BRAYNIN April 27, 1927 to December 30, 2015 OLD BUSINESS RUTH FINK Vice president Ellen Marks-Hinkle reported that she January 19, 1927 to January 17, 2016 has confirmed with David Nigel that he will deliver MIKHAIL GOLDMAN a lecture-discussion entitled The History of the June 15, 1928 to January 28, 2016 Jewish Community of San Francisco on Wednesday, BERNICE HUNOLD March 16, 2:00 p.m. in the Frank Family Lounge. August 27, 1918 to January 23, 2016 In response to the concern raised regarding the ESFIR KAPCHITS recorded voice mail message on the F1 phone and September 6, 1926 to December 30, 2015 at the reception desk, Kyle Ruth-Islas, director of SONIA KITNER programs, suggested that this be further discussed February 17, 1921 to November 29, 2015 at a future meeting. YAKOV KNAKHOVSKIY February 5, 1920 to December 7, 2015 HENRIETTA MILLER NEW BUSINESS February 22, 1931 to January 16, 2016 Edie Shaffer nominated volunteer Jane Philips for LILLIAN MISHEL August 4, 1911 to December 14, 2015 the Kindness Award for her exceptional service assisting many residents, visiting with them, and MARILYN MOGELBERG October 1, 1929 to January 2, 2016 escorting them to outings and shopping trips. The nomination was approved by the body and ESTER PEVZNER the recognition will be made at the next Council January 6, 1922 to January 24, 2016 meeting. MENIKHA ROZENFELD March 18, 1921 to December 18, 2015 Kyle Ruth-Islas reminded the residents of the RUTH SHAPIRO scheduled town hall meeting on Wednesday, July 25, 1913 to January 12, 2016 January 20, in the Frank Family Lounge. CARMEN SHEEHAN January 15, 1941 to December 7, 2015 JADIE SULLIVAN RAFFLE WINNER January 24, 1934 to January 12, 2016 Fran Hament was the lucky winner of this DORIS VANDERBERG month’s raffle. October 17, 1922 to January 18, 2016 The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m. ANNETTE WEITZMAN April 24, 1922 to December 10, 2015 Recorded by Mediatrix Valera YAKOV ZIGELMAN Recreational Programs Director and November 1, 1920 to December 23, 2015 Council Secretary LIDIYA ZINDER May 24, 1928 to December 1, 2015

JEWISH HOME 19 SAN FRANCISCO SEEING THE FUNNY WIT & HUMOR (JEWISH) SIDE OF LIFE

TO LIFE, AND A WIFE Morty walks into an insurance office. “I want to buy a life insurance policy,” he says to the broker. “How old are you?” asks the broker, noting that Morty’s no youngster. “Seventy-two.” “That’s too old. We can’t sell you a life insurance policy.” “That’s not fair,” says Morty. “Last week you sold my father a policy.” “Your father? How old is he?” “Ninety-five.” “Impossible!” “Go check your records,” responds Morty. The agent checks his records and finds to his amazement that the preceding week Morty’s 95-year-old father had applied for a policy, that a physician had found him to be in perfect health, and that he had indeed been issued a policy. MY SON “You’re right,” the agent says to Morty. “We sold your Three Jewish women are seated on a bench in father a policy, we’ll sell you one. But you have to Miami Beach, each one bragging about how come in on Tuesday for a medical check-up.” devoted her son is to her. “I can’t come in on Tuesday,” The first one says, “My son is so devoted that last “Why not?” year for my birthday he gave me an all-expenses- “My grandfather’s getting married.” paid cruise around the world. First class.” “Your grandfather’s getting married? How old is he?” The second one says, “My son is more devoted. For “A hundred and seventeen.” my 75th birthday last year, he catered an affair for me. And even gave me money to fly down my good “A hundred and seventeen! Why’s he getting friends from New York.” married?” “His parents keep pestering him.” The third one says, “My son is the most devoted. Three times a week he goes to a psychiatrist. A hundred and twenty dollars an hour he pays him. And what does he speak about the whole time? Me.”

AT HOME 20 FEBRUARY 2016 A SMALL ASSORTMENT OF TINY TRIVIA Source: The Best Book of Useless Information Ever, Neil SO, NU? Botham & The Useless Information Society Irving Gold is telling his friend Abe a story. “One day, Cohen and Levine were going …” Two common objects have the same function, but “Cohen and Levine, Cohen and Levine,” Abe one has thousands of moving parts, while the other interrupts him. “Why are your stories always about has absolutely no moving parts. The first one is an Jews? Why don’t you tell them about the Chinese for hourglass; the latter a sundial. once?” *** “You’re right,” acknowledges Irv. “So one day, Soo Don’t look for Wyoming Valley in the state of Lung Mu and Mao Tsu Nu were going to Soo Lung Wyoming; you won’t find it. That’s because it’s Mu’s nephew’s bar mitzvah …” located in Pennsylvania. *** PARENTAL PRIDE Britain’s Houses of Parliament have nearly 1,200 Announcement in the local Jewish paper: “Mr. and rooms, 100 staircases, 11 courtyards, 8 bars, and Mrs. Merve Rosenbloom are thrilled to announce 6 restaurants. And none of them are open to the birth of their son, Dr. Jonathan Rosenbloom.” the public. *** IT AIN’T EASY In Finland, saunas outnumber cars. A group of elderly retired men gathers each morning at a café in Tel Aviv. They drink their coffee *** and sit for hours discussing the world situation. Table tennis was originally played in England in the Given the state of the world, their talks usually are 1800s with balls made from champagne corks and depressing. One day, one of the men startles the paddles made from cigar-box lids. others by announcing, “You know what? I’m an optimist.” *** Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 The others are shocked, but then one of them in Chicago for the Montgomery Ward department notices something fishy. “Wait a minute! If you’re an stores for a Christmas promotion. The words were optimist, why do you look so worried?” originally the poem “Rollo, the red-nosed reindeer” by Robert L. May. Montgomery Ward liked it, but “You think it’s easy to be an optimist?” didn’t like the name Rollo, so they changed it to Rudolph. It wasn’t set to music until 1947, and Gene Autry recorded the hit song in 1949. *** Farmers in Japan developed square watermelons because they stack better.

JEWISH HOME 21 SAN FRANCISCO Armed with a trusty cake knife and a warm, winning smile, Esfir Mazel gets ready to cut the cake at the luncheon celebrating December birthday honorees.

RESIDENTS’ BIRTHDAYS FEBRUARY CELEBRANTS 1 Anna Bracken 1 Gitel Fishman 3 Claire Shor 7 Boris Burkatov 11 Shura Paykis 12 Isaak Taruch 16 Vitia Reyzelman 18 Zinoviy Simkhovych 19 Betty Graham 22 Mikhail Fridman 22 Josephine Garnot 25 David Jaffe 26 Fanya Shushkovskaya 28 Jesus Sandoval

Celebrating her 108th birthday in January makes Doris Sperber our oldest resident. Ever so elegantly turned out and, along with her fellow honorees, enjoying every moment of this month’s birthday luncheon, Doris had the deserved honor of cutting the cake at the affair. Smiling his similar joy and giving a helping hand is her son Stephen. Mazel tov to all the celebrants and, to quote the Jewish blessing in Hebrew, English and Yiddish, “Ad mayah ve-essrim shana; May you live until 120; Biz hundret un tsvantsig!”

AT HOME 22 FEBRUARY 2016