Obituaries

Dr. Morris Ira Harow, Philanthropist, Dies at 93

Dr. Morris Ira Harow, a leading Jewish figure in the Los Angeles community for nearly half a century, died on April 29. Dr. Harow was born in New York in 1913 and moved to Los Angeles in 1938, where he had a successful family practice in what was formerly known as South Central for 45 years. Dr. Harow was a philanthropist, supporting numerous Jewish causes in Los Angeles and Israel.

He had a dynamic personality and filled a leadership role at many institutions and organizations. He was president of the Religious Zionists of America, Hillel Hebrew Academy and Beth Jacob Congregation. He was active in the Bnei Akiva Zionist Youth Organization. He was the camp doctor at Camp Moshava for more than 30 years. He was also instrumental in the creation of Young Israel of Century City.

He possessed a unique blend of Torah and scientific knowledge. He was a gifted physician as well as a true talmudic scholar. He often led prayer services and read from the Torah. He had a distinct voice that carried through the synagogue.

Dr. Harow moved to Israel in 1986, with his wife, Sylvia, to the community of Karnei Shomron in the Samarian Hills. His magnanimity was instrumental in building Young Israel of Neve Aliza. His thirst for knowledge was never quenched as he continued his studies until his passing.

Dr. Harow is survived by his six children; 35 grandchildren; and 65 great-grandchildren. He is deeply missed by his family and close friends worldwide.

Donations can be sent to the Dr. Harow memorial fund Husder Yeshiva Karnei Shomron, P.O. Box 340, Karnei Shomron, Israel, 44855.

Layne Gayman Kardener, Author, Dies at 68

Layne Gayman Kardener died July 12 at 68, following a courageous battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). A runway model in her early years, Layne was a stunning woman throughout her life. She was a devoted wife, mother and great friend to many.

She was a big fan of Broadway musicals and a great entertainer who loved the spotlight, but didn’t mind sharing it with others. Layne loved to sing with friends (frequently at “open-mic” night at Mort’s Delicatessen off Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades).

Over the course of her professional life, Layne was a fifth-grade teacher; marriage, family and child counselor; doctoral candidate in psychology; pupil of Anna Freud; and family mediator. In 1982, she co-authored a guide called, “Twenty Questions Divorcing Parents Ask About Their Children.” Layne remained a fervent advocate for children’s rights in divorce.

Raised an Orthodox Jew in Detroit, Mich., she discovered Reconstructionism in the mid-1960s when she moved with her first husband, Dr. Sheldon Kardener, and their two children to Los Angeles, and became a lifetime member of Kehillat Israel. She took immense pleasure in sharing the beauty of Judaism with others. As a young wife and mother, Layne was also a community leader as a member of the Pacific Palisades chapters of Church Women United and Hadassah.

A perpetual optimist and a fighter till the end, Layne always left room for the doctors to have misdiagnosed ALS, and if not that, believed she would “be the first to beat it!” Her family believes that her hope kept her going long beyond the average life expectancy for a victim of ALS.

Layne will be missed by her children, Moss and Rona; “daughter-in-love,” Renee; grandchildren, Gabriel and Aviva, and brother, Joel Gayman.

Contributions may be sent to: F.A.C.E.S.: Family Assessment Counseling and Education Services, Attention Mary O’Connor, 505 E. Commonwealth, Suite 200, Fullerton, CA 92832.

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Evelyn Brockman died May 3 at 88. She is survived by her daughters, Kimm (Richard) Parker, Gail and Linda; and two grandchildren. Groman

Rand Feinstein died July 22 at 48. He is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Elliot and Isabel; brothers Barry (Marty) and Scott (Jill); and many friends.

Leonard Greiner died May 3 at 85. He is survived by his wife, Rosalind; sons, Seth, Wilee, Russell and Miles; and five grandchildren. Groman

Rachel Deborah Grohman died May 7 at 75. She is survived by her daughters, Estee (Amir) Bienstock, Judy (Brian) Friedman, Helen (Bob) Grohman-Collins and Brenda; six grandchildren; and sister, Gladys (Irving) Rubin. Groman

Edith Levine died July 13 at 93. She is survived by her husband, Stanley; daughters, Betsy Devore and Joanne (Donna) Gilman; son, Roger; and five grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Shirley Leibowitz died June 20 at 84. She is survived by her husband, Harry; children, Ellen (Bob) Goodside and Karen (Georgie) Serota; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Eden

Cesia Licht died July 13 at 86. She is survived by her son, Mark (Michele); and grandchildren, Diane and Rebecca. Mount Sinai

Gertrude “Trudy” Licht died July 16 at 80. She is survived by her husband, Bob; sons, Alan (Phyllis) and Mark (Barbara); daughter, Lisa Light; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Herb (Judie) Schwartz. Mount Sinai

Sylvia Obrowski died May 4 at 84. She is survived by her daughter, Ruth Yaker (Larry). Groman

Martha Philipson died May 7 at 95. She is survived by her daughters, Carole (Richard) Hoffman, Ronda (Leon) Gottlieb; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Daniel (Bea) Gross . Groman

Miriam Rifkin died July 12 at 95. She is survived by her sons, Saul and Arnold; daughter, Ronnie Bell; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Hillside

Gloria Rubin died July 13 at 79. She is survived by her daughter, Felicia (Dean) Langwiser; and son, David (Lori). Mount Sinai

Jack Schimmel died on May 4 at 79. He is survived by his wife, Natalie; sons, Eugene and Alan; daughter, Lisa Waller; three grandchildren; and brother, Arnold. Groman

Dorothy Springer died May 4 at 91. She is survived by her son, Arthur; daughter, Sheila (Arthur) Goodman; and five grandchildren. Groman