Aviva Helfand, a beloved member of the Long Beach, CA Jewish community known for her memorable meals and warm hospitality, passed away on Erev Shabbat, Parshat Vayera, 19 Cheshvan 5787. 74. Legendary for her warm hospitality and delicious food, Aviva ran the kitchen at Huntington Beach Hebrew Academy and Camp Silver Gan Israel. She nurtured and cared for generations of students, teachers, campers, and counselors with love and dedication. Her passion for cooking and serving the community knew no bounds. As one of the few kosher caterers south of Los Angeles at the time, she hosted beautiful events, cooked and baked for countless families and communities in Long Beach and Orange County. Their elegant cakes were often the centerpiece of simchas, famous for tasting as good as they looked. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Aviva’s early connection to Judaism took shape while living with her grandparents. His grandfather, Carl Urstein (formerly Orenshtein), was the distinguished cantor of Temple Sinai. Aviva loved listening to him pray in the amud with passion and grace. A free spirit with a colorful personality, Aviva embraced the hippie life and even lived briefly in a cave in the mountains of Big Sur. He later worked alongside his mother, Judy, in her famous clothing store on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. The boutique attracted celebrities and rock stars, from Janis Joplin to Barbra Streisand. Aviva’s journey took a turn in the ’80s when she sent her son, Josh, to Hebrew Academy (located in Long Beach at the time). Volunteering at her weekly Bingo fundraising events, Aviva became friends with Robin Greenspan, Sora Warhaftig and Angie Levin, friendships that would last a lifetime. Through those connections, Aviva gradually returned to her family’s roots and embraced a life of Torah, Mitzvot, and Chassidut (Aviva’s great-grandparents were Chassidim of the Frierdiker Rebbe in Eretz Yisroel). After moving to Crown Heights, Aviva met her husband, Mottie Helfand, at the Hershkowitz family Shabbat table. Mottie had also made her own journey from growing up on Broadway to becoming a chosid. Together they returned to Long Beach and built a home known for its warmth, generosity and hospitality. Aviva, a devoted mother, gave tirelessly to the community while caring for her daughter Mindy, who was born with special needs. She cared for Mindy with extraordinary love and dedication until her passing at age nine and a half in September 2000. Like Avraham Avinu’s tent, Aviva’s house was always open, a fitting connection to Parsha Vayera, the week of her passing. Their Shabbat and Yom Tov tables regularly received dozens of guests. She kept the china for 40 years, always ready for whoever walked through her door. Helfand’s home offered delicious meals and a place where everyone felt welcome, cared for, and part of the family. Shiva took place during the week of Parsha Jayei Sara, which chronicles the passing of Sarah Imeinu and the continuation of her legacy. Aviva also leaves a lasting legacy. The warmth, generosity and love that Aviva shared so freely lives on through her family and all those who were lucky enough to have known her. Aviva will always hold a cherished place in the annals of the Long Beach Chabad community. Her husband, Mottie Helfand, predeceased her in 5770; his daughter Mindy, in September 2000; and his son, Joshua Hofer, at 5785. He is survived by his children, Yosef Helfand and Esther Nolan, and their families, all of Long Beach, California; his sister, Nili Hudson, of Mar Vista, California; his grandchildren; and many others who were like family to her. Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
