I am not alone in recalling a friendly, smiling, outwardly shy young girl, who shed her reticence when she stood on the bimah – I always admired the confidence she showed, when not yet a bat mitzvah, while leading Friday night services – or sat at a table to discuss Talmud. She was quietly intense, highly imaginative, and always present. She was unafraid to be who she was. Our condolences go to Esther’s siblings, Solomon, Davida, Jonathan and Benjamin, and, above all, to her mother, Katy, whose own great spirit and fortitude, and commitment to Jewish life, learning and community, allowed Esther to shine.
--David Engelmann
A lovely human being with a great will for service to others; she led a great Birkat Hamazon. Truly, she will be remembered by many for a long time to come.
--Ira K. Glasser
My daughter was in Esther's bat mitzvah study classes, and she was definitely a great Jew, and person. She will be dearly missed.
--Chaya Roberts
A radiant smile and a kind word for everyone, a generosity of spirit, and great humility; a love of children and all living beings, and most of all an all-encompassing love of Judaism. Such a promising life, cut much too short. Some things are just beyond our grasp. Esther will always live in the hearts of all who knew her.
--Flori Green
Esther, always smiling, always hugging, always carrying small children around, mine included. Always helping, always really wanting to know how you are. Always digging through Torah, always asking hard questions. May she be always at peace.
--Sharon Bleviss
We remember Esther as a very cheerful person and always smiling. She was someone that was opened to conversation and a very easy person to speak with, too.
--Leorah Dang & family
Esther was truly a very special person. . . loving, generous, focused, graceful, peaceful. . . I loved her. . .
--Terry Rose
I remember Esther most for her joy of Judaism, and her organizing Sisterhood Shabbat for two years. She started planning for Sisterhood Shabbat the summer before and in spite of several glitches, she remained calm and poised.
--Bonnie Lindauer
My memory of Esther is as a young girl sitting in the back of the shul with Mel Semi. Mel is telling jokes and Esther is laughing. Esther's smile is etched in my memory, as is her love and devotion to Judaism. She is not here with me now but will always live on in my loving memories of her.
--Beth Berenson
Esther was a light Angel in her short life. She did a lot of good things, helped people, lead Hebrew class. When she sang Prayers and Blessings, it seemed we heard her soul singing.
--Irma Brik
I remember Esther as a very special teenager, and later, as a young adult, with a deep love for everything Jewish. I recall her spontaneity, her enthusiasm, her joy when talking about Israel; her love for Eretz Yisrael and the Hebrew language; how much she loved Torah; how she davened and read Torah every Shabbat; how much joy she brought to others at the Jewish Home on Shabbat once a month! Her life is for a blessing. Shalom Chaver.
--David Goldstein
My fondest memories of Esther stem mostly from her leading Birkat HaMazon at our wonderful monthly potlucks. She could be shy when speaking individually, but when it came time to lead several dozen people in prayer, her voice was strong and unwavering. I also always think of her whenever I hear "Tum Balalaika" -- I remember how she always requested it when it was time for zmirot, and Ted would jokingly try to get her to choose something else. It never worked -- she was tenacious, that young lady! Her passing diminishes us all, and our love goes out to the wonderful Safer family.
--Christine and Adam Tachner
We were always impressed with her dedication to Judaism, at an age when most young adults turn away from our tradition. She was always so kind and friendly. We will miss her. May the Safer family feel G-d's presence during their time of sorrow, and may their time with Esther be seen as a blessing.
--Cindy, Roger, Rayna, and Nathan Levinson
When I moved to San Francisco, Esther was the first observant Jew that I met that was close to my age. I was always impressed with her passion for Judaism and I sorely wish that I had intimated that to her while I had the opportunity to do so. She made me want to become a better Jew. May her memory always live on in the minds and hearts of her friends and at Congregation B'nai Emunah.
--Ken Mitchell
