San Francisco II

Our major fundraising event on the San Francisco trip was a presentation Sunday night, March 26th at Town’s End Restaurant & Bakery. The restaurant is owned by friends and Sherith Israel congregants David and Mary Sperber. They generously opened their restaurant for this private gathering and donated an incredible spread besides. Town’s End is the place for Sunday brunch in San Francisco, so I know Mary and David were exhausted when they reopened at 5 for us. Many, many thanks. Any Beth Shalomite who visits San Francisco is obligated to eat at Town’s End. Not that this is any hardship---Mary and David’s food is the best.

More than sixty people, including Rabbis Raphael and Weiner, came to hear our story. It was clear they were moved by what they heard and what they saw in the DVD. Everyone contributed and most took multiple copies of the materials, including the DVD, to show to friends. Rabbi Raphael took almost everything we had left to continue his assistance to us. Again--a mentsch.

I saw too many old friends to mention them all here. It was particularly good to shmooze with fellow former Sherith Israel staff members, like Gail R. Here husband Art is a synagogue administrator and he was dismayed to learn that he is using the same insurance carrier that we had. Svetlana and Bob, a couple I married just before we left San Francisco were at the gathering, with their two children. How swiftly the time goes.

Immediately after the event, Bob and I headed for the Oakland Airport to begin our journey home. We brought a bundle of checks with us as well as the good wishes and support of Sherith Israel.

On the whole, our visit to the Bay Area was productive and very moving. We will never forget the kindness and generosity we experienced.