In each issue of the newsletter, we publish several memorials from our Book of Memories in a column called “Of Blessed Memory.” Rabbi Kelman, z”l, conceived of the Netivot Shalom Members Memorial Book in 2017 as a way to honor the memory of our deceased congregants. Diane Bernbaum writes the stories and Lee Bearson designs the pages. The book is accessible on our website under the Lifecycle tab and the actual book, now in 2 volumes, is on an adjustable shelf made by John Curl in the anteroom to the main sanctuary.
May their memories continue to bless our congregation.
Rabbi Jacob Milgrom
February 1, 1923 / 15 Sh’vat 5683 – June 5, 2010 / 24 Sivan 5770
Rabbi Milgrom was born in Brooklyn and was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He spent most of his career as head of University of California, Berkeley’s Department of Near Eastern Studies. He was considered the world’s leading expert on Leviticus, interpreting the laws of kashrut and ritual purity and was also known for his work on the Dead Sea Scrolls. Over the course of Rabbi Milgrom’s career, he published five books, including an interpretation of Numbers, a 600-page commentary that is part of the Jewish Publication Society’s five-volume Torah Commentary. He also authored more than 200 articles.
Rabbi Milgrom had been a congregational rabbi for twenty years with pulpits in Chicago, New Jersey and Virginia. His academic work took him to places such as Russia, South Africa and Japan. He was a teacher who became friend to countless numbers of students whom he welcomed into his home, a human rights activist who was horrified at the way Israel’s Bedouin communities were treated, and a passionate lover of the Jewish people.
Jo and Jacob Milgrom were founders of Netivot Shalom*, where on Shabbat mornings Rabbi Milgrom would often share his wisdom with the congregation. After living in Berkeley for nearly 30 years, they made aliyah to Jerusalem when he retired in 1994, maintaining their membership at Netivot Shalom.
Rabbi Milgrom was survived by his wife, Jo; their four children, Shira, Jeremy, Eitan and Asher; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
*When Netivot Shalom was coming together and needed a Torah, Rabbi Milgrom loaned his Torah to the shul.
Lawrence (Buddy) Simon
July 9, 1914 / 15 Tamuz 5674 – May 9, 1998 / 13 Iyar 5758
Buddy was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and Los Angeles, where he completed business and law degrees at the University of Southern California. He was first married to Phyllis Simon and following her death, married Ethelyn Simon in 1974.
Buddy was an attorney by profession and a woodworker by passion. He lovingly handcrafted an Aron Kodesh (ark) for our Netivot Torah scrolls that was used in our sanctuary for many years and is now in the Netivot Shalom library. In addition, he made many other items for Netivot Shalom in its early years including the original Torah stand, the tallit holder, the kippot holder stand, shtenders (lecterns) and book rests, a tefillin box, and a number of tzedakah boxes. Bud created the Aron Kodesh in the Temple Sinai sanctuary as well as several pieces for other Bay Area synagogues.
Buddy was very active in the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay and served as chair of the Federation’s Board of Directors in 1954.
Buddy Simon was survived by his wife, Ethelyn, his children Laurie Simon Goldstein, Rabbi James Simon and Wendy Simon as well as by six grandchildren.