New Member Profiles:
Norman Postone
I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, where the Jewish community was small, tight knit and ardently Zionist. Canada was a safe haven for both of my parents. My mother’s family escaped persecution in Stalinist Soviet Union when, in 1933, my grandfather was hired as the Rabbi in Edmonton. In 1939, on the eve of WW 2, at age 23, my father came alone from Lithuania, and he too was granted entry as a rabbi. The rest of his family was trapped and perished in the Holocaust.
My parents met in Winnipeg in a shul choir and moved to Edmonton where my father became the rabbi after my grandfather’s death. He then served the Jewish communities of Alberta as an Orthodox rabbi for 60 years.
At 17, I spent a transformative year in Israel. It was amazing to be in a country where Jews could find refuge, Hebrew had come to life as a spoken language after 2000 years, and Jewish culture flourished.
I then shifted gears somewhat radically, becoming secular and plunging into the antiwar counterculture of the 60’s while in college at McGill in Montreal. At medical school at the University of Chicago, I continued to be politically active, becoming involved in The Medical Committee for Human Rights and later Physicians for Social Responsibility.
I met my wife Lisa Fruchtman at Chicago where she was an undergrad. We then came to the Bay area for my residency in psychiatry at Mt Zion Hospital. Lisa has had a long career as a feature film editor and documentarian and I have been in practice in San Francisco since 1976.
In addition to my private practice, I was affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center for many years, teaching psychiatric and medical residents with a focus on the psychological aspects of patient care and illness. In my own practice, I developed a special interest in doing psychotherapy with medically ill patients.
Lisa and I raised our two children Ariel and Zach in Berkeley. Although we came from very different backgrounds–hers being very left-wing secular (think red diaper baby), we have always shared important values. For many years we were members at Congregation Beth El which worked well for our family. During this time Judaism again became an important part of my life and I also reconnected with Israel through The New Israel Fund where I serve on the regional Council. Now, close to retirement, I am also enjoying spending time with friends and family, studying Hebrew, reading, hockey (fan only now), and travelling.
My first contact with Netivot Shalom was through the Vezot Israel book club where everyone was very welcoming and the discussions were stimulating and thoughtful. Recently I decided to become a member as I was drawn to Shabbat at Netivot where the services resonate with the traditions I grew up with but also add to that. I greatly appreciate the way in which issues of concern for all of us are woven into the service in a variety of ways such as the drashot and teachings by Rabbi Chai, all of this done with joy, some humor and a light touch. I also value the fact that Israel is very important to the congregation while diverse opinions are held.
It is a pleasure getting to know more people and becoming part of this wonderful community.
Longer-Term Members:
Ethel Murphy
I am Ethel Murphy. I joined the Berkeley Conservative Congregation when the group first began. I remember the adoption of the name Netivot Shalom. I remember the discussions of whether or not we needed a designated rabbi, the heated discussions about the need (or not) of having a religious school. We were all engaged. We wanted to build a lasting congregation that was welcoming to all. We gave it our all.
I have been the chair of the Adult Education Committee and the Young Adult contingent, and a willing volunteer. Currently I work on the Inclusion Committee. I hope to continue my membership and participation in spite of my advanced age and mobility problems, and to meet many of you.
I was born and raised in NYC in a Frum home, educated in NYC schools, including CCNY. I studied history and economics. I came out to Berkeley for my last year in college at UC and then went home to NY for graduate work. Later, I made a major move to UCLA for further graduate work. I began and left a doctoral program in economics during the Vietnam War years because of my activism against the war and the time entailed by extracurricular activities. I had also married and had a child, and now I have grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Later on, I returned to school and received an MLS (Master of Library Science) from UCLA.
I have worked at a university library in Iowa, a large law firm in Colorado, and a major financial institution in Texas. Before retiring, I was employed by the Social Security Administration.
I have many interests and activities including a Yiddish reading group (Yiddish novels and such), general reading (philosophy, history, modern literature), and political discussions. I am involved in Aquarian Minyan and Nishmat Shalom (East Bay Feminist Minyan). If you share any of these interests, I would love to meet you.
Larry Hanover
Hi. This is Larry Hanover.
In the late 90’s my mom had just passed at the Jewish Home for the Aged in San Francisco and since I had assisted the rabbi in conducting services over the 3-year period my mom was a resident, I needed to find a local synagogue in order to say Kaddish. I stumbled into the JCC which hosted Congregation Netivot Shalom in the early days. Sandy Schneider was leading services, I was welcomed by Eugene Berg, and I sat with Julie Batz who encouraged me to consider leading services. I loved the feel and felt instantly at home.
Over the years I was on the Board twice, participated in several work groups (the last being the Rabbi Search Committee which led to hiring Rabbi Chai), and led services for a few years.
I am a retired psychologist after many years of work in Contra Costa as a Program Manager for kids and families in hospitals, other locked facilities, and residential care.
I love museums, live theater, scenic walks, opera, symphony, and dance performances. As a retiree, I get to enjoy these events far more often.
Happily, I still enjoy being a member and cheerleader for Netivot Shalom.