Theda Firschein
April 30, 1932-May 18, 2025
Palo Alto, California
Theda Firschein, gifted writer, librarian, wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted keeper of Yiddish and Jewish literary tradition, passed away on May 18, 2025, at the age of 93. An immensely kind and intelligent woman of quick wit, she loved her husband and best friend, Oscar; revered her grandchildren, Jenny, Ava, and Ariel; and found great strength in her children Joseph and Ben, and daughters-in-law Rachel and Virginia.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1932 to Jewish immigrant parents, Theda often spoke of listening to her parents read aloud from the Forward in Yiddish, passing their reading glasses back and forth—an experience that gave her a love for storytelling. Theda’s mother, a warm and vibrant figure, sang Yiddish songs and recited German poetry—a source of inspiration in Theda’s later writing.
Theda’s love for literature flourished as she attended Brooklyn College, where she majored in English. It was during these years that she began writing poetry and stories. Her work often reflected the humor, struggles, and rich traditions of Jewish life in America, blending personal memories with themes of identity and belonging.
Theda met her husband, Oscar, on a bicycle trip through Cape Cod—a chance encounter that would change both of their lives. Oscar, an engineer with a passion for books, quickly became enchanted by Theda’s intellectual energy and lively spirit. Their love blossomed through long conversations about literature and shared values. One of her early poems, written for Oscar, captured their partnership—his quiet, scholarly nature and her exuberant, artistic spirit.
After marrying (an event quietly facilitated by their respective mothers), Theda and Oscar moved to Southern California. Theda earned a Masters in Library Science from the University of Southern California and embarked upon a lifelong career as a librarian.
Theda and Oscar relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area just as the countercultural movement emerged in the 1960s. Theda and Oscar’s art-and-music-filled home near the Stanford University campus became a gathering place for intellectuals, poets, writers, and Silicon Valley’s emerging leaders. The house was eclectically filled with colorful oil paintings and wood-block prints, electronic sculptures, Yiddish records, and a one-ton printing press hauled from New York from Oscar’s father’s former print shop. Theda’s writer’s desk—filled with her writings—was a proud and prominent feature in the living room.
A significant moment in Theda’s literary journey came when she began corresponding with renowned author Isaac Bashevis Singer. After recognizing familiar Yiddish folktales in his work, Theda reached out to Singer, wondering if his stories had roots in the same folklore her parents had shared with her as a child. Singer’s response confirmed her intuition: many of his stories had first appeared in Yiddish in the Forward.
Theda’s short stories captured the humor and absurdity of everyday life, and she had an eye for a good story – commenting in real time that something unfolding in front of her eyes was too good not to capture in a short story. She passed on to Ben and Joseph this ability to recognize a great story while it was happening and to capture it in writing.
During her early years as a children’s and reference librarian, Theda worked on a traveling bookmobile, bringing literature to isolated communities. She cherished this work, particularly the opportunity to introduce writers like Singer to readers who might not have otherwise encountered their stories. One of the more unique encounters during this time was with Ken Kesey, author of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest." Kesey, living nearby, frequently visited the bookmobile.
In later years, Theda performed Yiddish songs and poetry and gave lectures on Yiddish heritage. Theda and Oscar were fixtures of the local Jewish community, including Kol Emeth and Beth Am synagogues. They participated in decades-long book clubs with lifelong friends, and led retreats to study poetry and Great Books. Towards the end of her life, she participated in an oral history for the Yiddish Book Center.
Theda’s devotion to family was a cornerstone of her life. She and Oscar raised their two sons Joseph and Ben in a home filled with books, music, and culture. Although much of her family remained in New York, she stayed close to her siblings, cousins, extended family, and friends from her youth (often reverting to a Brooklyn accent when she was on the phone with them). She tirelessly worked for causes including the Parent Teacher Association of her sons’ public schools, where she edited newsletters. She energetically supported her children’s pursuits of violin, tennis, and computer programing, driving them to countless lessons and events.
Theda took great care to ensure that her children and grandchildren were steeped in the traditions her parents had passed down to her. Theda and Oscar hosted legendary Passover Seders, where family and friends gathered for evenings of storytelling, songs, and lively conversation. A talented cook, she recreated recipes passed down from her mother, including matzoh brie, chicken soup, stuffed cabbage, and kugel.
Theda also demonstrated a talent for design, working with local architects to contribute ideas to the design and construction of their home in the woods and later to the construction of a home on a neighboring lot. Both homes featured large windows with views of the towering live oak trees and wrap-around decks to enjoy the nature that was so different from what she experienced growing up in Brooklyn.
Theda’s role as a grandmother brought her immense joy. She nurtured her grandchildren with the same love, wisdom, and humor she had shared with her own children, ensuring that they too understood the importance of family, learning, and heritage. Her mentorship extended beyond her immediate family, as she guided many young people as a children’s and reference librarian. Her generosity with her time, her knowledge, and her support left a lasting impact on the countless people she mentored throughout her life.
In her later years, Theda and Oscar made a pilgrimage to her family’s ancestral village in Ukraine. Standing where her parents had once lived, she felt a deep connection to her roots. The trip reaffirmed her commitment to preserving the stories of her family.
Theda’s life was a testament to the power of stories, family, and culture. Her work as a writer and librarian, along with her role as a mentor, touched countless lives.
Theda is survived by her two sons, daughters-in-law, and beloved grandchildren, who will continue to carry forward her legacy of learning, love, and cultural preservation. Her memory will live on in the stories she told, the lives she touched, and the family she cherished.
In her own words: "I love them so much, and I’m so glad that they love me. I hope they’ll remember their grandma, even when I float away."
May her memory be a blessing. Donations in Theda’s memory may be made to the Yiddish Book Center and Congregation Kol Emeth.
