Obituaries

Nelly Rosenfeld, Oneg Shabbat Queen, Dies at 97

Nelly Rosenfeld died in her home on April 2 at 97 — just prior to Pesach. Nelly organized the oneg Shabbat for Temple Israel of Hollywood for 18 years, never missing a week.

Her history is an extraordinary one that mirrors the experience of the Jewish people in the 20th century. It took her from the country of her birth, Czechoslovakia, to Paris and then to the small village of Le Brueil, France, where she, her husband, Roger (z”l), and daughter, Monique (z”l), were hidden by the LaRoche family in their barn from 1943 to 1945. Nelly continued to enjoy a close friendship with the descendants of the LaRoche family over the past 62 years.

Upon the liberation of France by the Americans in 1945, the family returned to Paris, eventually immigrating through Kansas City to Hollywood. Some of her family immigrated to Israel in the early part of the 20th century and were among the pioneer founders of the Jewish state.

Nelly is a beloved icon of our community and will be sorely missed by everyone on staff, in sisterhood, among our children and in our community at large.

She is survived by her grandchildren, Ben (Chris) and Sasa (Edward); and great-grandson, Jacob.

Zichronah livrachah. May the memory of the righteous be a blessing.

— Rabbi John Rosove

Burt Topper, ‘War Is Hell’ Director, Dies at 78

Burt Topper, 78, was born July 31, 1928, in Coney Island, N.Y. He moved to Los Angeles when he was 8. He served in the Navy during World War II. After the Navy, Burt pursued a career in movie directing and production, with such films as “War Is Hell” in 1963.

He sold “War Is Hell” to Sam Arkoff’s company, American International Pictures (AIP), and then was hired as head of production. He wrote, produced and directed more than 26 films for AIP, as well as fundraising pictures, such as “Touch of a Child.” He was also involved with Variety Clubs of America, giving years of his time and talent.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; sister, Muriel Kreeger; and nieces Patricia Wakefield and Rhonda Kreeger.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Rose Alper died March 13 at 95. She is survived by her sons, Philip and Richard; three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Helen Altman died March 12 at 90. She is survived by her children, Judith (Jerry) Behney and Susan Ford; stepson, Jay; five grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Peter, Kenna and Keith; and one great-grandchild. Mount Sinai

Lee Aronson died March 9 at 86. She is survived by her son, Garry (Marie); daughter, Nina (Ron) Shipp; and five grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Sara Bernstein died March 13 at 94. She is survived by her sister, Regina Aichler (Joseph).
Marc Cohen died Feb. 28 at 88. He is survived by his wife, Natalie; daughters, Mindy (Charles) Armstrong and Karen (Zevi) Kahn; and granddaughter, Rachel Kahn.

Ruth Harriette Comarr died March 11 at 89. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Berchan. Groman

Lewis Geiger died March 13 at 86. He is survived by his sons, Warren (Olivia) and Larry (Leanna); four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Goldstein; and brother, Arthur. Mount Sinai

Edith Geisinger died March 11 at 91. She is survived by her son, Don (Sandra). Malinow and Silverman

Mickey (Mildred) Gilbert died at 82, She is survived by her daughters, Pamela (Gary) Glick and Andrea (Eddie) Klapova; five grandchildren; and companion, Ned Kass (Jerry).

Joseph Glotzer died March 11 at 92. He is survived by her friends. Sholom Chapels

Leona Goldring died March 12 at 99. She is survived by her daughter, Roberta Weintraub; stepson, Irwin; and nephew, Steve. Malinow and Silverman

Leonard Goodman died March 11 at 75. He is survived by his wife, Madeline; daughter, Heather; son, Gary (Alison Hatter) Bachman; three grandchildren; and brother, Peter (Joan). Mount Sinai

Irene Kraus died March 11 at 91. She is survived by her son, David; and one grandchild. Groman

Louis Klein died March 13 at 84.He is survived by his sister, Sylvia Roth; brother, Joseph; and nephew, Joel Roth. Malinow and Silverman

Norma Silnutzer Libby died March 8 at 92. She is survived by her son, Allan (Sheila); and brother, Cecil Sills. Malinow and Silverman

Robert Loew died March 12 at 83. He is survived by his wife, Rita; daughter; son; and grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman

Florence Elaine Mann died March 15 at 89. She is survived by her son, Darrell (Christine) Mann; two grandsons; and four great-grandchildren. Malinow and Silverman

Ethel Moskowitz died March 8 at 99. She is survived by her granddaughters, Susan Hendel and Ronni Giller. Malinow and Silverman

Edith Etelka Mottow died March 9 at 88. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Linda S.M. Lippa. Malinow and Silverman

Henry Orenstein died March 12 at 85. He is survived by his wife, Rhoda; sons, Mark (Jane) and Craig (Renee); daughter D. Max Anne (Ken) Masukawa; five grandchildren; and sister, Edith Freedman. Mount Sinai

Elliot Peikoff died March 15. He is survived by his wife, Corinne; sons, Howard, Richard and Michael (Suzanne);daughter Lori; and grandchildren, Lauren and Natalie.

George Ross died March 12 at 79. He is survived by his companion, Frances J. Apland; children, Stephanie (Lincoln Conti) and Ivan (Phyllis); son-in-law, Burt (Kathy) Brooks; 11 grandchildren; sister, Gloria (Nat) Lebowitz; relative Doris Brenner; and former spouse, Elinore. Mount Sinai

Victoria Rousso died March 10 at 91. She is survived by her sons, Martin, Ronny and Sam; daughter, Rochelle Goldman; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Groman

Norma Rubenstein died March 10 at 81. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Thomas. Sholom Chapels