A LIFE OF WISDOM, WIT, AND WONDER
From the Women of TIOH
On June 13, 2025, the Women of TIOH and Temple Israel of Hollywood gathered in community to honor Ruth Rose — a teacher, musician, mentor, and dear friend to generations of TIOH families. This tribute page is a lasting space to reflect on Ruth’s remarkable life, share words of gratitude, and celebrate the joy and meaning she brings to all who know her.
Ruth Rose Fun Facts
Celebration Shabbat Resources
KINDLING THE SHABBAT CANDLES
Light the Shabbat candles on Friday night, then recite the blessing.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam
Asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’zivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat
Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of time and space.
You hallow us with Your mitzvot and command us to kindle the lights of Shabbat.
SHABBAT KIDDUSH
Blessing over the wine and sanctification of the day for Shabbat.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֺתָיו וְרָֽצָה בָֽנוּ,
וְשַׁבַּת קׇדְשׁוֹ
בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָֽנוּ,
זִכָּרוֹן לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית.
כִּי הוּא יוֹם תְּחִלָּה לְמִקְרָֽאֵי קֹֽדֶשׁ,
זֵֽכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָֽיִם.
כִּי בָֽנוּ בָחַֽרְתָּ, וְאוֹתָֽנוּ קִדַּֽשְׁתָּ
מִכׇּל הָעַמִּים.
וְשַׁבַּת קׇדְשְׁךָ
בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’ratzah vanu, v’Shabbat kodsho b’ahavah uv’ratzon hinchilanu, zikaron l’maaseih v’reishit. Ki hu yom t’chilah l’mikra-ei kodesh, zecher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta, v’otanu kidashta, mikol haamim. V’Shabbat kodsh’cha b’ahavah uv’ratzon hinchaltanu. Baruch atah, Adonai, m’kadeish haShabbat.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who finding favor with us, sanctified us with mitzvot. In love and favor, You made the holy Shabbat our heritage as a reminder of the work of Creation. As first among our sacred days, it recalls the Exodus from Egypt. You chose us and set us apart from the peoples. In love and favor You have given us Your holy Shabbat as an inheritance. Blessed are You, Adonai, who sanctifies Shabbat.
HAMOTZI
Say this blessing before eating bread (challah) at the beginning of a meal on Shabbat.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.
Baruch atah, Adonai
Eloheinu melech haolam,
hamotzi lechem min haaretz.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who brings forth bread from the earth.
Songs for dinner honoring Ruth Rose:
Kol Netivoteinu Shalom (The Road We’re On)
Words and music by Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom
When I’m alone, or with my sisters,
Sometimes I ask myself where I’m goin’
There are no answers, but there’s a story
That leads us down the road we’re on
For many years, I tell my sisters,
Hundreds of years we have come and gone,
No-one has noticed and no-one’s reported
The truth about the road we’re on
The road we’re on, the road we’re on,
The truth about the road we’re on,
The road we’re on, the road we’re on
Vechol netivoteinu shalom
Back when our people were slaves in Egypt
The midwives wouldn’t kill our newborn sons,
Moses was rescued by Pharoah’s daughter,
They put us on the road we’re on
Old Sarah’s laugh and Deborah’s bravery,
Yael’s deception and Miriam’s song,
Ruth and Naomi who loved each other
They kept us on the road we’re on
The road we’re on, the road we’re on,
They kept us on the road we’re on,
The road we’re on, the road we’re on,
Vechol netivoteinu shalom
The scholar Bruriah who taught the Talmud
And Channah Senesch who gave her life
Golda Meir who was leader of Israel
They led on the road we’re on
When we’re alone, or with our sisters,
We often ask ourselves where we’re goin’
Our many answers are in the stories
That lead us down the road we’re on
The road we’re on, the road we’re on,
That lead us down the road we’re on
The road we’re on, the road we’re on,
Vechol netivoteinu shalom
.
Ki kol darkeinu hein darchei noam,
Vechol netivoteinu shalom!
(All our roads are roads of pleasantness,
and all our pathways lead to wholeness!)
Bruchot Habaot, by Debbie Friedman
Bruchot habaot, tachat kanfei haShechinah
Bruchim habaim, tachat kanfei haShechinah
May you be blessed beneath the wings of Shechinah,
Be blessed with love, be blessed with peace
Tributes & Memories for Ruth W. Rose
Collected in Celebration of Ruth as our 2025 SHEro
Karen Gilman (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
Fun Fact: During her tenure as Religious School principal, Ruth initiated the practice of offering childcare during TIOH high holiday services!
Phyllis Rosenthal (Friend and Fan of Ruth)
Ruth and I are two of the three Presidents of Brandeis National Committee. I was going to write a history of our time with Brandeis.
But just to sum it up….Ruth keeps us from getting “crazy”.
Linda Goldberg (Friend)
I’m a co-President with Ruth of the LA Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee. I’m so impressed by her knowledge, enthusiasm, energy and her dedication to the organization. She’s also a great friend.
Karen Gilman (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
A fun memory of our wonderful honoree: Ruth gave me a gift of a “melon baller” cooking utensil, commemorating years of Women of TIOH hospitality efforts together!
Jeffrey Sobel (Friend and Former student)
In honoring my dear friend Ruth, I’m prompted to quote from the Proverb of the Woman of Valor (“A-shet Cha-yeil”):
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue…Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time come.”
These excellent qualities have shone forth throughout all the years I have had the pleasure of knowing her: in fact, since I was a 10-year-old student in her 5th-grade class at TIOH day school!
Blessed are the teachers who can impart their special knowledge with kindness and understanding, who can command respect, not by imposing their given authority but by their intellect, insight, humanity and sense of humor.
My own mother of blessed memory was herself a Woman of Valor and an instinctive, if not professional teacher. She accounted it among the greatest mitzvot to teach a child a prayer. Indeed, it was Ruth who taught me the prayerful song, “”Shavuah Tov” in the sweet voice she still possesses today.
As for the quality of strength, the years provide the true test — of sheer physical endurance, yes, but certainly measured in character, intellectual curiosity, the spirit of adventure and joie de vivre, and the privilege to contemplate the future in her 9th decade with a smile prompted from within!
Thank you, Ruth, for being a cherished presence in our lives!
With much love,
Jeffrey
Jo Ann Lesser (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
May 17, 2008, Ruth Rose and I and four other women were called to the Torah for an adult B’not Mitzvah. Ruth had studied with all of us for two years. Both Ruth and I had lived at a time when women (girls), age 13 did not have a Bat Mitzvah. Ruth has always studied and she and I have attended Torah study on Saturdays for many years.
I am delighted that the Women of Temple Israel of Hollywood chose to honor Ruth Rose this evening.
Ellen Aprill (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
It is always such a delight to hear Ruth’s words of wisdom at Saturday morning Torah study. She is for both of us a role model of how to stay active and engaged as we grow older.
Ellen Aprill and Sandy Holo
Renee Mochkatel (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member and Fan of Ruth)
I met Ruth when I joined TIOH with my family. She was someone who, when she spoke, I listened. When she smiled at me I smiled back. Ruth is a constant. When I think of TIOH I think of Ruth. Ruth I wish you continued good health and love. Renee Mochkatel
Debra Linesch (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
I love and admire Ruth’s spirit and her enthusiasm for life in general and for Judaism in particular. Always with a twinkle in her eye, she approaches every event or program with an open heart and open mind.
Such a joy!
Debra Linesch
Janis Barquist (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member and Friend)
Ruth, I send you my heartfelt congratulations, along with my deep respect and admiration for all that you have done, and continues to do, on behalf of the TIOH community.
I remember first meeting you during our trip to Cuba. I was delighted to get to know you, even though an unfortunate fall limited your enjoyment of the journey. I’ve been grateful ever since for that introduction.
May you continue from strength to strength.
All the best,
Janis
Anna Paikow
A wonderful memory of sitting with Ruth at a screening of Above and Beyond, an excellent documentary by Roberta Grossman about the volunteer efforts to help Israel build an air force in 1948. We had a great shmooze afterward. Best of all, Ruth invited me to join her at other film screenings—and insisted on driving us both.
Dear Ruth, you are truly a beautiful, kindhearted, and generous soul!
Shelly Fox (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
The very first time I met Ruth was at a Women of TIOH Rosh Chodesh Event. It may have been 2010 or so. We split into pairs to talk and I was fortunate to be paired with Ruth. She was so delightful to be with. She was open to listening and to sharing her wisdom. I just remember that first meeting so fondly. I went on to serve as Cantorial Soloist and Ruth continues to be such a consistent, warm and welcome presence at Friday night services. Seeing her always makes me smile. Ruth, you’re the Best!
Fun Fact: I love the twinkle in her eye when she’s being mischievous! I love her sense of humor!
Geri Mund (FriendFellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member and Fan of Ruth)
I have known Ruth since I was born. Her mother and my mother were both presidents of Sisterhood – I think one right after the other. Ruth and I have sung together in the volunteer choir since the days of Lillian Klass. We have studied together, been at each other’s special events and parties, and generally shared life experiences. Though her sister Sheri and I are closer in age, Ruth and I are closer in temperament. She is an amazing person, who broke barriers but still came home to TIOH.
Fun Fact: photo – in Cuba with TIOH – 2012
Michelle Missaghieh (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
Ruth is always in the first row during Friday night services, ready to sing and pray with the community. She is an inspiration to all.
Sharon Lippman (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
Ruth is the only TIOH member who has a connection with every member of my family.
She was my brother Wayne’s religious school teacher. My mother, Trudi, volunteered alongside her in Sisterhood for four decades. She knew my parents from their regular Shabbat attendance.
I’ve had the joy of being involved in Sisterhood with Ruth for the past 20 years. My nephew Jake was a vendor at the Hanukkah Marketplace. Ruth and I were also in the same B’not Mitzvah class in 2008.
She even knows my husband, Alex.
Ruth and Geri Mund are truly the historians of TIOH.
Betty/Howard Green (Friend)
Ruth is a very self motivated, organized and an extremely kind woman. She has more energy than women half her age.
Betty/Howard Green (Friend)
Ruth is a very self motivated, organized and an extremely kind woman. She has more energy than women half her age.
Paulinda Schimmel (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
It’s truly an honor to know Ruth. I’ve always appreciated her warm, friendly smile and her genuine kindness.
Ruth is one of those rare people who really listens and cares—she makes you feel that what’s going on in your life truly matters.
– Paulinda
Donna Spruijt-Metz (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member)
Dear Ruth,
You are not only always there, but you are always pleasant and always present, aware of others and their lives. You are quite amazing.
Aliza Lesser (Fellow TIOH/Women of TIOH member and Fan of Ruth)
I appreciate Ruth’s steadfast commitment to Women of TIOH and to our Temple community. She shows up, offers sage guidance, and models what it means to lead with wisdom and a wink. Ruth is a serious person who never takes herself too seriouslly, and we are all the better for it
From the Women of TIOH:
Ruth Rose reminds us what it means to lead with heart, wisdom, and quiet grace. Her presence continues to shape our TIOH family in profound and lasting ways. Thank you, Ruth, for the love you’ve given — and for the example you continue to set for us all.