Among all the wonderful words in Yiddish, “b’shert” has a very special meaning. We use it when a couple is destined to meet, when they complement each other in personality or demeanor. When you hear the story of Hilda Namm and her husband Manfred, the word b’shert seems most fitting. 
Hilda was born in Berlin. Not long after Kristallnacht, she fled with her family to Shanghai, escaping Nazi-occupied Europe. They travelled on a Japanese boat out of Naples. They took very little with them and had almost nothing living in Shangahi. Fortunately, Hilda’s father, who was born in Poland and fought in WWI, had been able to smuggle some money out of Germany. He also spoke a bit of Russian. Since he could communicate with other Russians there, he was able to open a store in partnership with Hilda’s uncle. But when war with Japan broke out in 1941, the Japanese took over all of Shanghai, and forced the Jewish refugees into a ghetto.
By contrast, Manfred Namm did not leave Europe until 1940. At that time, boats were no longer available for the trip so he travelled across Siberia by train and ultimately landed in Shanghai as well.
But Hilda and Manfred did not meet in Shanghai. Hilda travelled by herself to San Francisco and with the help of the Jewish Agency, she took a room in a hotel on Post Street. Soon after, she went to see Oklahoma with a friend who introduced her to Manfred, in the lobby of the Curran Theater. Manfred had come to the US in 1947; in 1949, Hilda and Manfred were married.
Manfred spent most of his career in the food business and early on worked for a dairy, in charge of the butter department. Then Manfred and Hilda established their own businesses, gradually making their way and raising their son and daughter. For many years, they had a sandwich business where Hilda made the deliveries and her in-laws helped out. Hilda’s mother lent a hand, making her special meatloaf. Ultimately, they took over a convenience store on Bush Street, and they often catered events as well.
By the time Hilda and Manfred moved to San Rafael, their children were already grown. They became active in Rodef Sholom life, often attending services and participating in numerous activities. After Manfred passed away in 1995, Hilda remained involved. She continues to belong to the Women of Rodef Sholom, attends services and Shabbat dinners, and brings meals to the homeless shelter on Mill Street.
Hilda feels strongly that we must support Israel and she belongs to many Jewish organizations. She says that even in Germany, many years ago, her family supported the Jewish National Fund. Clearly the importance of support for Jewish causes was instilled at an early age.
Hilda has made a generous gift to Rodef Sholom so it can continue to be a vibrant spiritual community. Hilda, along with 19 other congregant families, is part of the Keter Circle. The Keter Circle honors congregant families who make annual gift commitments of $10,000 and more to Rodef Sholom.
To learn more about the Keter Circle, please contact Jane Friedman at 415.479.3441 or jane@rodefsholom.org
are committed to ensuring our synagogue’s future for the next one.
Through the efforts of our Kulanu/ Inclusion of Those with Disabilities Committee, Rodef Sholom has been acknowleded as an accessible congregation by the National Organization on Disability. 