Popeye’s dog made Selma Waldman inspired to become an artist and devote her life to art. Actually, it wasn’t the dog itself, but the man who created the dog, Selma’s uncle Myron Waldman, a renowned cartoonist who died just over a year ago.
Selma herself died of cancer on April 17. She was 77.
Waldman grew up in Texas, but moved to Seattle in 1957. Apart from a Fulbright scholarship in Berlin in 1959-60, she spent the rest of her life here.
Early on, her work hung in galleries alongside Georgia O’Keefe and Edward Hopper, but as her sympathies with the Civil Rights movement grew, she began to reflect her desire for justice in her art.
“She really believed in doing things in a way that she felt had integrity,” said Waldman’s son, Rainer Waldman Adkins. “She was very unswerving in her dedication to the artwork she was doing and to her activism for a better world.”
Phillip Levine, a local artist and longtime friend of Waldman’s, said that in addition to her excellent technical skills as a draftsperson and painter, particularly in her depiction of the human form, the themes of her work were also important.
“The content was intellectual and emotional and rational, and had to do with what the world is about,” Levine said. “It wasn’t decorative in a contemporary sense, in that you didn’t put it on your wall to enhance your environment, you put it on your wall to enhance your ‘view’ of the world.”
Waldman’s activism manifested itself in her Jewish identity, Adkins said.
“She believed that the experience Jews had had in the world gave a very powerful link to work for tikkun olam, for social justice and peace, and fighting oppression,” he said.
Though she considered herself a secular humanist and never belonged to a synagogue, “she had a very strong network in the grassroots of the Jewish community and really believed in the power and beauty of Jewish culture and experience,” Adkins said.
Waldman had considered making aliyah in the 1960s, but “that ended after the 1967 war and her growing awareness of the contradictions of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza at the time,” Adkins said.
Her sympathy for the Palestinians made her some enemies within the Jewish community at the time, but it also helped to create circles of friends in the art and activist worlds that otherwise would never have connected. It also inspired her to create series of works against apartheid in South Africa, and she traveled to the country as a result.
“There [are] some of us, Selma particularly, that spoke out against the kinds of things that needed to be spoken out against,” Levine said. “She was good at this for several reasons: She was an extremely intelligent woman, well-read, and she was a superb writer.”
Waldman published eight books of drawings and documentation of abuses in Africa. Her Naked Aggression series, which has been exhibited in various galleries around the city, focused on that subject, as well as on the abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. She was also proud to be the only American artist to have works in the Jewish Museum in Berlin’s Holocaust collection; the pieces are several life-sized drawings of figures falling through space, from her Falling Man series.
Waldman was working until about two-and-a-half weeks before her death. Her son and family plan to start a foundation in her name to continue to bring recognition to her work. Selma Waldman is survived by her son, Rainer Waldman Adkins and his wife, Deb Figen; grandson Sam Adkins; and her sister Maryon Spotswood. A public memorial will be held June 1 at 5 p.m. at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center.

Leah Zallman and Nadav Tanners are engaged to be married Sunday, August 31 in the Washington, D.C. area. 
Leah is the daughter of Marcy Bernbaum of Washington, D.C. and the late Eric Zallman. She is the granddaughter of Sara Zallman of Haverford, Pa.
Nadav is the son of Dina Tanners of Seattle and Paul Tanners of Spokane. He is the grandson of Jeanette RK Nelson of Seattle and the late Sid Nelson.
Both Leah and Nadav graduated from Swarthmore College. Leah received her medical degree in May, 2007 from New York University and Nadav received his Masters in Environmental Management from Yale University. After the wedding, the couple will reside in Boston, Mass.

Jonathan will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on May 3, 2008 at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation.
Jonathan is the son of Patricia Blount and Ilan Zawadzki of Mercer Island and the brother of Miriam and Benjamin. He is the grandson of Judge Clarence Blount and Augusta Arnold Blount of Georgia and Reuben Zawadzki and Debora Anski Zawadzki of New York.
Jonathan is in the 7th grade at Islander Middle School. He enjoys basketball, snow skiing and reading mystery and science fiction books. For his mitzvah project, Jonathan is participating in the Darfur backpack project sponsored by Jewish World Watch, which provides backpacks containing books, toiletries, shoes and other items to school-age children who are refugees from the Darfur genocide and residents in the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in Chad. 

Benjamin will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on May 3, 2008 at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation.
Benjamin is the son of Patricia Blount and Ilan Zawadzki of Mercer Island and the brother of Miriam and Jonathan. He is the grandson of Judge Clarence Blount and Augusta Arnold Blount of Georgia and Reuben Zawadzki and Debora Anski Zawadzki of New York.
Benjamin is in the 7th grade at Islander Middle School. He enjoys basketball, snow skiing and reading fantasy novels, particularly the Harry Potter books. For his mitzvah project, Benjamin is participating in the Darfur backpack project sponsored by the Jewish World Watch, which provides backpacks containing books, toiletries, shoes and other items to school-age children who are refugees from the Darfur genocide and residents in the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in Chad. 

Emory and Matthew are engaged to be married in October 2008 in Seattle. Emory’s aunt, Rabbi Elka Abrahamson of Columbus, Ohio, will officiate the ceremony.
Emory is the daughter of Ron and Cherie Klein of Issaquah and the granddaughter of Marlene Zinkow and Sandy Zimet of Los Angeles Calif., and Sue and Saul Simon of Los Angeles.
Emory is a graduate of Issaquah High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. She works as a customer service representative at Gene Juarez.
Matthew is the son of Charles and Ellen Rubin of Bellevue and the grandson of the late Charles and Rita Degginger and the late Sam and Fannie Rubin. He is a graduate of Newport High School and has a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University. He currently works as an insurance agent for Allstate Insurance.

Ansara will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on May 24, 2008 at Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue.
Ansara is the daughter of Chuck and Debbie Miller of Whidbey Island and the sister of Bridget Wernau and Christine Miller. She is the granddaughter of the late Lou and Helen Miller-Huston and the late 
Dale and Phyllis Casto.
Ansara is in the 7th grade at Whidbey Island Waldorf School. Her hobbies include snowboarding, music, dancing, water sports, taking care of her pets, and cooking for her friends and family. For her mitzvah project, Ansara raised money for the Whidbey Animal Improvement Fund to make funds available for people to adopt pets from the shelter entirely free of charge.

Robyn and Barry Klarman announce the birth of their son Alexander Levi on February 29, 2008 at Providence Everett Medical Center. Alexander weighed 6 lbs., 8 oz. and measured 19 inches.
Alexander is the grandson of Joanne and Jerry Klarman of Whitestone, N.Y. and Nancy and Millard Habegger of Boulder, Colo.
Alexander is named in honor of his maternal great-grandfather. His middle name is in honor of his paternal great-grandmother.

Stacey Leyton and Pierre Barolette announce the arrival of their son Asher who was born March 8, 2008 at UCSF Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. He was 8 lbs., 13 oz. and 21 inches long.
Asher is the brother of Hayden Ethan and the grandson of Carol and Dr. Bryan Leyton of Bellevue, Pierre J. Barolette of Orlando, Fla. and Thermilie Delicein of Leawood, Kan. Asher is named for his great grandmother Aspasie Bel Nadel.

Joshua will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on April 12, 2008 at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue.
Joshua is the son of Jayne Carlin and Wallace Reid of Mercer Island and the brother of Anna and Daniel. His grandparents are Harold Carlin of Falmouth, Me. and the late Beatrice Carlin and Millicent Michalski of Port Orange, Fla. and the late Wallace Reid, Sr.
Joshua is in the 7th grade at Islander Middle School. His interests include baseball, basketball, bicycling and music.

Steve and Randi Kaplan of New York welcomed the arrival of their son Bailey on March 12, 2008.
Bailey is the brother of Kyle and the grandson of Ken and Lois Glickman of Seattle and Harriet Rothstein of New York.

Olla and Jacques will be married in August in New York.
Olla is the daughter of Rita and Boris Solomyak of Seattle and the granddaughter of Tamara and Michail Solomyak of Rehovot, Israel and Esther Gandelsman of Haifa, Israel.
She is a graduate of Northwest Yeshiva High School and received her B.A. in Psychology, Philosophy and Mathematics from Brandeis University. She currently works as a neurolinguistics research assistant at New York University.
Jacques is the son of Meryl and Carlos Alcabes of Seattle and the grandson of Edith and Reuben Solonsky of Eugene, Ore. and the late Rosa and Jacques Alcabes. 
Jacques also attended Northwest Yeshiva High School and received his B.A. from Brandeis University. He works as an Economic Analyst for NERA.
Both the bride and groom plan to attend graduate school in the fall. 

David will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on April 12, 2008 at Congregation Beth Shalom.
David is the son of Jason Kintzer and Jane Becker and the brother of Raphael, Yoni, Maya, Avi and Yoel. His grandparents are Jolanda Kintzer of Long Beach, N.Y. and the late David Kintzer, and Edward Becker from New York, N.Y. and the late Mildred Becker.
David is in the 7th grade at the Jewish Day School. His hobbies include spending time with his siblings, playing basketball, soccer, baseball and tennis, hanging out with his friends, listening to music, and traveling, especially visiting his cousins in Israel.
David’s mitzvah projects included working at food banks, writing letters to political leaders on behalf of children all over the world, and reaching out to others in need.

Ruty Sorrell Daniels and Will Daniels announce the birth of their son Theo on February 2, 2008 at Swedish Hospital. He weighed 6 lbs., 3 oz. and was 18 inches long.
Theo is the grandson of Barbara and Ted Daniels of Seattle and the late Fortune Sorrell. His great-grandparents are Carolyn and William Danz of Seattle.
Theo is named for his paternal grandfather.

Tawni celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on February 23, 2008 at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue.
She is the daughter of David and Lisa Halfon of Renton and the sister of Aaron. Her grandparents are Lionel Rivers of Simi Valley, Calif. and the late Louise Rivers, and the late Isaac and Sultana Halfon.
Tawni attends Dimmitt Middle School and enjoys music.

Karl will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on March 22, 2008 at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue.
Karl is the son of Denise Joffe and Paul Manner of Mercer Island and the brother of Matthew Manner and Jessica. His grandparents are Phyllis Manner of New Rochelle, N.Y. and the late George Manner and the late Gloria and Theodore Joffe.
Karl is a student at Islander Middle School. His hobbies include playing the clarinet, skiing, basketball and baseball.

Tracy and Daniel were married on September 9, 2007 at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Cantor Fran Lawson officiated the ceremony.
Tracy is the daughter of Janet and Dan Garretson of Bellevue. She is a graduate of Interlake High School and received both her undergraduate degree and her master’s from the University of Washington. She is now a CPA at KPMG.
Daniel is the son of Steve and Debbie Lawson of Bellevue. His grandparents are Shirley Kulman and the late Arthur Kulman and the late Esther and Label Lawson. He holds a B.A. from the University of Washington and currently works as a manager for Ampco Parking.
The couple resides in Seattle.

Rachel and Brian are engaged to be married on October 19, 2008 at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Bellevue. Rabbi Daniel Weiner will officiate the ceremony.
Rachel is the daughter of Lawrence and Marilyn Zommick of Issaquah and the granddaughter of the late Dora and Joe Levine and the late Rhoda and Herman Zommick. She is a graduate of Issaquah High School and holds a degree in Business and Communications from Western Washington University. She currently works as a project manager at T-Mobile in Bellevue.
Brian is the son of Edmund and Diane Lowinger of Pueblo, Colo. His grandparents are Nonie Stonehouse of Pueblo and the late Joe Stonehouse. Brian is a graduate of Kent Ridge High School and has a degree in Economics and English from the University of Montana. He works as a license entitlement analyst at Attachmate in Seattle.
The couple resides in Bothell.

Adina will be celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on March 8, 2008 at Congregation Beth Shalom in Seattle.
Adina is the daughter of Lynn and Steve Katz and the sister of Ryan. Her grandparents are Harriet Katz and the late Archie Katz, and the late Tauba and Joseph Fainsilber.  Adina is in the 7th grade at University Preparatory Academy. She loves soccer, acting, traveling, and hanging out with her family and friends. 

Michele Yanow and Adam Shapiro announce the birth of their daughter Suzanna on February 1, 2008 at Swedish Hospital. Suzanna weighed 9 lbs. and measured 20-1/2 inches.
Suzanna is the sister of Jordan. Her grandparents are Marilyn and Gibson Rome of Eccles-by-Kelso, Scotland, Lenore Shapiro of Westfield, NJ, the late Stephen L. Yanow and the late Eugene P. Shapiro.
Suzanna is named after Michele’s father, Stephen Yanow, and her grandfather, Bernard “Ben” Yanow.

Michael will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on February 23, 2008 at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation.
Michael is the son of Jeri Bernstein and Aaron Shaw and the brother of Rachel Shaw. He is the grandson of Anne and David Bernstein of Greensburg, Pa., Philetta Lobo of Medford Leas, N.J. and the late Bernard Shaw. 
Michael is a straight-A student in the 7th grade at Maywood Middle School. He participates in soccer, wrestling, and baseball. Michael also enjoys geography, hiking, playing sports, playing the violin, listening to music, and talking with his family and friends. He is an avid Mariners baseball and Seattle Seahawks fan.
Michael is excited to share this special occasion with his good friend and sister, Rachel. 

Felice and Colman plan to be married in the spring of 2008 in Seattle.
Felice is the daughter of Leatrice and Jim Keller of Mercer Island. Her grandparents are Frances and Howard Keller of Seattle, and the late Regina and Isaac Soriano.
She is a graduate of Mercer Island High School and holds a B.A. from the University of Arizona as well as an MBA from the University of Washington. A former writer for the Jewish Transcript, Felice is now a music reporter for XM Radio.
Colman is the son of Nettie Becker of Los Angeles, Calif. and the late Howard Becker.
He holds a B.S. in finance from California State University-Northridge, and is currently working in real estate.
The couple currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jessica Wirth and Zach Duitch are pleased to announce their wedding, which took place on Sunday, October 14, 2007 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Seattle. Cantor Bradlee Kurland and Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum of Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation officiated.
Jessica is the daughter of Marcie and Terry Wirth and the granddaughter of Lily Wirth of Bellevue and the late Irwin Wirth, and the late Clare and Gerald Lancaster. Jessica graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree and is an assistant buyer at Macy’s Northwest. 
Zach is the son of Esther and Marty Duitch and the grandson of the late Ray and Joe Sapoznick and the late Zelsey and Sydney Duitch. Zach graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree and is the Youth and Recreation Director at the Stroum Jewish Community Center. After honeymooning in Playa del Carmen, the newlyweds now reside in Seattle.

Rachel will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on March 1, 2008 at Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation.
Rachel is the daughter of Gillian and David Witus of Mercer Island, and the sister of Sam.
Rachel is in the 7th grade at the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle. She is a student of ballet and also enjoys reading, drawing, painting, writing, crocheting and jewelry making. For her mitzvah project, Rachel is volunteering with Teen Feed.

Zoë will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on March 1, 2008 at Temple Beth Am.
Zoë is the daughter of Allison Tregor of Seattle. Her grandparents are Liz and Steve Dokken of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Norm Tregor of Los Angeles, Calif.
Zoë is in the 7th grade at Eckstein Middle School. Her hobbies include skiing, soccer, track, cooking and having fun with her friends. For her Mitzvah project, Zoe raised money for heifer.org, a charity that seeks to end hunger and to care for the earth.

Samantha will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on March 1, 2008 at Temple Beth Am in Seattle.
Samantha is the daughter of Robert and Delila Simon of Seattle. Her grandparents are Gladys Simon of Seattle and the late Lou Simon and Frieda Soury of Seattle and the late Aaron Soury.
Samantha is in the 7th grade at the Bush School. Her hobbies include tap dance, soccer and volunteering. For her mitzvah project, Samantha has worked to organize a teen feed night every month for the last four years.