The Zamir Chorale of Boston’s alumni team is delighted to show its appreciation and gratitude to Ronda Garber Jacobson, Zamir’s “first lady” and most devoted cheerleader. An alumna herself, Ronda is always ready to lend a hand (or two), provide support, and share the joy of Jewish music that Zamir has brought to countless audiences for 50 years.
Add your blessings or tribute to Ronda below.
Dear Ronda,
Whether as Zamirniks in the 70s or seeing you at various events, I always benefitted from your warmth, grace and humor. At one occasion, you treated me to a much-needed pair of earplugs!
Kol HaKavod on decades of song and service!
Linda Steiff
Rhonda: For me those early years were marked by our little soprano group in which we supported one another and made wonderful friendships. And in those early years, Zamir was as much a family as a Chorale, and you deserve a great deal of credit for that. Even after you stopped performing, you were the lynchpin. You absolutely deserve this recognition.
Marilyn Stern
Back in 1969 my dear friend Lou Garber fixed me up with a new soprano in Zamir, his cousin Ronda. Since then Ronda has been at my side and I by hers. While she no longer sings in Zamir, she has been the choir’s number one supporter. We are but one of many marriages that have come out of Zamir. I love you, Ronda!
Dear Ronda,
Your friendship and grace, your love of Zamir and everything Jewish, your devotion to your beloved Josh, your excellent work at the Synagogue Council (yes, I was educable :-), and our mutual connection with the Garbers will always be a blessing.
Love,
Tep & Suzanne
Dear Ronda,
I’m thankful for your friendship through so many of our shared journeys— our Zamir marriages, our health journeys with our dads and our complicated journeys to motherhood. I cherish the friendship and support you’ve given me along the way.
Thank you for all you do for Zamir and for the community that we love.
Francene
Dear Ronda,
Thank you for everything you’ve done for Zamir for all these years. When I first joined Zamir as a shy soprano back in 1973 (yes- a soprano for a few years) your warmth and support made me feel so welcome. You have always been there giving of yourself in so many ways.
Kol HaKavod!
Love,
Ruthie Birnbaum Pernick
Dear Ronda,
The perfect complement to the maestro, you have infused Zamir with a depth of involvement and warmth which are key to the group’s success and our pride in being part of it. While it has been a long time since I have sung with Zamir, the richness of the true friendship we share has only grown, and for that I am so very grateful.
With much gratiitude,
Herbie Birnbaum
1975-86
Ronda,
We, and Zamir, are so grateful to have you in our lives. I fondly remember our first meeting in September 1972 when Louie was eager to introduce us, and gain your approval – You have been a source of love, comfort and devotion ever since!
Mazel Tov on this well deserved honor.
The “Garber Girls” look forward to celebrating with you.
Love,
Rozzie
Ron, there are few people who excel in everything they do, but you are one among the few. Whether at Zamir, at the Boys and Gurls Club of Newton, at your synagogue,
hostessing in your home, it matters not for whatever you do your heart and soul go into it! The kids and I wish you the best of everything in the future, as you and Josh go forward!
Love, Cousin Barb
Dearest Ronda,
We know how much you have done for Zamir over the years and are thrilled that you are being honored. It is hard to imagine another woman who embodies the wide spectrum of your qualities. You are a loyal and devoted wife. You are a fiercely independent thinker. You are organized and focused. You are fun, lighthearted and mirthful (especially after you have inhaled). You are a loving mother and grandmother. You love Israel and would love to live there, at least part time. Finally (and here’s where self-interest creeps in), you are a loving friend. Your arms open up wide both literally and metaphorically. We are so lucky to call you friend. We send you hugs and love and look forward to to our always wonderful summer times together.
Jake and Linda
Dearest Ronda,
Much respect and love for what you have contributed to Zamir’s activities and your work other organizations. We fondly remember all the good times we’ve shared and look forward to many more in the future. You have been Josh’s right hand in many ventures having to do with the support of the chorus, raising the family and continuing your matchless devotion to your circle of friends and to Klal Israel.
With admiration for all that you do and have done,
Love,
Jess and Nook
Ronda, your sweet smile and constant encouragement are a blessing to me, and to the Zamir community. I am grateful for everything about you; your very presence is an inspiration. Thank you for all you do for Zamir, for the Jewish community, and for the world at large.
Dearest Ronda,
Knowing what you do and have always done behind the scenes for Zamir, we are certain that the tremendous success and professionalism of the chorale would not have been possible without your attention to detail and esthetics, not to mention the care and feeding of all the singers over the past 50 years. That’s a lot of tofu, to say the least!
Zamir is only one of the many organizations to have benefitted from your heart and soul. They and we have been and continue to be blessed by your kindness, compassion, sense of humor and can-do attitude toward life. We appreciate you every day.
Love,
Leora and Roy
Dear Ronda
Your visits are like a tornado coming from the west: there is always so much energy and things that just happen when you are here. Unlike tornadoes, once you arrive, the impression is like there is no other place you’d like to be. All your attention and energy is focused at the person you are currently talking to, and so much focus can force even mute fish to speak English.
We love you.
To Ronda, who makes all things possible. Thank you for your generosity and good spirit. Warmly, Sara and Bob Dickman
Dear Ronda,
While I never got to sing with you in Zamir, I know how hard you have worked behind the scenes for us over the years. As they always say, behind every man is a good woman! Thank you for everything you do for Zamir,
Phyllis Werlin
Dear Ronda,
Your talent, creativity, and enthusiasm make things happen in the best possible way! You and Josh are the perfect duo! Kol HaKavod and much love,
Naomi & Carl
Dearest Ronda,
Thank you for being so amazing all the time! We look up to you and Josh and are so lucky to have gotten to know you. Wishing you good health and strength to continue doing all that you do so well.
Love,
Ronit and Kfir
Dear Ronda,
Though Zamirniks come and go, you have been a constant loving support for Josh and Zamir for five decades. Your warmth and engaging smile have made and continue to make all associated with Zamir feel accepted and loved.
Mazal Tov.
Steve Thompson
Dear Ronda,
What would Zamir be without you?! You are part of its fabric and its spirit. Thank you for all of your hard work over the years. I look forward to celebrating and honoring you on June 2!
With gratitude,
Debbie
Dear, dear Ronda,
Mazal tov on this well-deserved honor for your contributions to Zamir! You are the maestro of infusing commitment and joy in all of your many good works. Thank you for your generosity, creativity and big heart, With our respect and love,
Eva and Mel Hoffman
Ronda,
We are so grateful to have your friendship and wisdom in our lives. You are an extraordinary human, full of grace and kindness. Thank you for all you’ve done to strengthen and inspire Zamir. We are lucky to have benefitted from your vision and grit. Mazal Tov on this well-deserved honor and we can’t wait to celebrate and sing with you.
Dear Ronda,
You are so remarkable in your capability, your style, your vision, and your passionate love and devotion to Zamir and to so very many Communities and circles of friends.
We have great respect for you and how very much you do, and how very well you do it.
And, we also so enjoy your wry sense of humor, your perspective, and your zest for life.
May you continue to go from strength to strength, for many more years, in good health.
Much love,
Anne and Moshe Waldoks
Dear Ronda —
Unlike most of your Zamir and shul friends, I only have known you for 6 years. However, we quickly became good friends and I appreciate ALL aspects of our friendship. Your enthusiasm and your devotion to your do deserving causes is an inspiration to others.
Congratulations on this honor!
Yours,
— Tibor
Dear Ronda,
Although my opportunities to converse with you were primarily at the 1986 Zimryia, occasionally at board meetings during my tenure, and more recently at alumni events, your grace and dedication call to mind Proverbs 31. I hope you will indulge my paraphrase of church historian Amy Oden’s interpretation of this text (which may also be the interpretation of scholars of Judaism of whom I am ignorant, so please forgive me if so). Dr. Oden notes that the woman presented in Proverbs 31 possesses a “virtue and worth” that a “a result of her own agency . . There is no hint that her industry is not her own.” All of us who have sung with Zamir know what your virtue, worth and industry have meant to the chorale . . . . .and we are forever grateful!
Dear Ronda,
Thank you for all your unique contributions to Zamir and to the Jewish community. You have been a Zamir co-inspirer (and co-conspirator) along with Josh, and your dedication, humor, and sagacity have helped the members of Zamir thrive and blossom as musicians and as compassionate fellow human beings.
Todah rabbah!
Mark
Dearest Ronda —
How very grateful I am to you for your years of support and generosity. And am particularly delighted to have built a friendship with you and Josh which Doug and I look forward to enjoying for years to come.
I am very disappointed that I will not be able to share your nachas when your accolades are “sung” at the luncheon. You are very much loved and appreciated by the entire Zamir family and I hope that message comes out loud and clear!
Dear Ronda,
Your dedication and effectiveness are legendary. We have especially appreciated your wisdom and practicality, and your support and encouragement when it was most needed.
And, the part Zamir played in our marriage!
Joni and Danny
Ronda,
I’m so sorry I could not attend your celebration on Sunday but hope you had a wonderful time and felt surrounded by love and appreciation. Your part in Zamir’s success is well-known and the whole chorus is grateful for all that you do.
Thank you – thank you – thank you and look forward to seeing you at the concert celebration!
Louise