Bella Ostrow

The daughter of Harry and Sonia Meschures, Bella ("Bel") was born in Brooklyn in 1924 and moved as a young child to Los Angeles. She grew up in Boyle Heights and graduated from Roosevelt High School. She completed her education with a BA from UCLA and a Masters Degree from USC. Bel married her husband of more than 50 years, Jack Ostrow (of blessed memory), in 1947 and together they had three children and six grandchildren. Bel and Jack were long-time members of Temple Beth Am. and were well known and respected for their charitable work in the local and national Jewish community. They were instrumental in the expansion of the University of Judaism (now the American Jewish University) including the development and relocation to the present Mulholland campus. Bel was one of the founders and a past president of the University Women, and was thrilled to be present at the dedication of the Bel and Jack M. Ostrow Library at the University (an endeavor dear to the couple's heart). Bel was also active in other civic organizations and as past president of her children's local elementary school, Hancock Park, brought the first library to that school. Bel is survived by her brother Vi...[more]

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r (Suki) Meschures, her children, Eliot Ostrow, Laurie (Meir) Gabbai, and Janet Ostrow, and her grandchildren, Estee (Craig) Bergmann, Arik Gabbai, Mia Gabbai, Joel Ostrow, Andrew Ostrow, and Evan Ostrow. The funeral will be held Wednesday December 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Sinai (Hollywood Hills) Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, CA, The Bel and Jack M. Ostrow Library at the American Jewish University, Los Angeles, CA, or the Jewish National Fund