Spotlight on Doing Good

You might know her as the friendly woman who introduced you to others at Hazak and got you a bagel for lunch. You might know her as the helpful usher who led you to your High Holiday seat. Maybe she handed you the microphone at the College of Jewish Studies so you could ask a question. However you have come to know Louise Spitzer, one thing is for sure… she is amazing! As we celebrate her 90th birthday, we’d like to take this opportunity to salute her and all the good she’s done for VBS and the community.

Louise came to California from Cleveland, Ohio as a baby and spent most of her formative years in Boyle Heights. As one of ten children, there were many hard times. She was often chased home from school by kids shouting anti Jewish epithets. Louise and most of her siblings had to go to work to help support the family and didn’t have the opportunity for higher education. She vowed that her children would know and appreciate what it meant to be Jewish - and succeeded spectacularly! One of her first steps into community activism was when she convinced her small synagogue in Montebello to start a Jewish nursery school. At that time, preschool was really only for the wealthy, but she managed to help create a wonderful school for people from all walks of life.

In 1975, she moved to the San Fernando Valley and joined VBS because there were so many activities for teenagers. She started attending programs herself and Judie Cotton helped get her involved. Rabbi Schulweis enlisted her to make recordings of his lectures and to help sell them. She received requests for the recordings from around the world. This was the real start of her deep involvement, with Rabbi Schulweis becoming a true friend and mentor. Louise adds, “and learning from Rabbi Ed Feinstein is a privilege beyond words!”

Louise worked in the medical field for many years starting as a switchboard operator and working her way up to executive and management positions. She uses the same skills that helped her thrive professionally to guide her as a volunteer. She prioritizes and uses time management. This has led to her giving thousands of hours in volunteer time to the synagogue over the years. Louise has been a tireless volunteer for Hazak, our adult education programs and the Havurah program. She has served as an usher and greeter at a myriad of programs and services, and most recently during the pandemic, created and manages our "War on Isolation" (see Spotlight on Doing Good: War on Isolation) peer-to-peer outreach program to isolated seniors. Without her inspiration, drive and organization, VBS wouldn’t be able to do all of the good work that we do.

Elana Zimmerman, VBS Program Director, puts it best when she says, “Louise is omnipresent! She helps at every program, takes care of everything and knows everyone, always making sure they are nurtured, thriving and safe. She is the face of VBS wherever she goes and is regularly approached by members and non-members alike who want information about what’s going on at VBS. She has a heart of gold. There is a saying in Judaism, ‘Until 120’ which is a blessing of hope that one will live to 120 just like Moses, but some people say, ‘Until 120 like 20’ meaning you should still act and feel 20 years old when you are 120. Louise truly exemplifies this. She has the energy, enthusiasm and passion of a 20 year old. We’re lucky to have her!”

Louise exercises regularly and walks miles each week. She doesn’t stand still much, even walking around when on the phone or watching television. She loves to study Judaism and had her Bat Mitzvah at age 77. She says that the best part of that experience was spending time and studying with Yossi Dresner. She is a true people person, active in her Havurah, going to the theater and spending precious time with her beloved family - 3 sons, her daughters-in-law, 10 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

When asked what inspires her to do so much good, Louise replies, “I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve worked very hard and raised 3 wonderful sons who have been successful beyond our wildest dreams and I’m so happy to give back. I’m very, very grateful.”

Rabbi Ed Feinstein sums it up beautifully when he says, “Louise Spitzer is a blessing to us all. She gives and gives and gives. Her love, her caring, her kindness, her energy, bring so much soul to our community at VBS. May God bless her with years and years of health, strength, and joy.”

Article written by Susan Rubin.