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Alby Kass, 89, Klezmer Musician Who Built Northern California Jewish Community

JL;DR SUMMARY Alby Kass was a pivotal figure in Northern California's Jewish community, known for his contributions to the cultural and musical landscape until his death at 89 from COVID-19. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Fiddler On The RoofJewish CommunityCovid 19Social JusticeYiddish MusicKlezmerNorthern CaliforniaAlby KassRussian River Jewish CommunityJubilee Klezmer Ensemble

Places mentioned

Berkeley, California, United States
"(JTA) BERKELEY, Calif. (J. Weekly via JTA) Alby Kass, one of the founders of the Russian River Jewish Community some four decades ago, has died March 31 of complications from COVID-19."
San Leandro, California, United States
"After spending the past year battling a number of other illnesses, he succumbed in a San Leandro hospital bed without his family by his side."
Santa Rosa, California, United States
"According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Kass contracted a coronavirus infection at Gateway Care and Rehabilitation Center."
Hayward, California, United States
"Kass contracted a coronavirus infection at Gateway Care and Rehabilitation Center, a nursing home in Hayward where at least 66 patients and employees have been infected by the coronavirus."
Guerneville, California, United States
"When he and his wife, Wallie, moved to the area in the mid-70s, they took out an ad in the Guerneville paper looking for Jewish families with whom to celebrate Passover."
Bronx, California, United States
"Albert Irwin Kass was born Jan. 2, 1931 in the Bronx, New York, to an immigrant family."
Los Angeles, California, United States
"After his service, he moved to Los Angeles and got his teaching credential at L.A. City College."
Fairfield, California, United States
"Kass joined the Air Force and fell in love with California while stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield."
San Francisco, California, United States
"In addition to Larry, Alby Kass is survived by his wife, Wallie, of Santa Rosa, who is living in a memory care facility battling dementia, and son Jonathon Kass of San Francisco."
Oakland, California, United States
"Alix Wallis a freelance writer in Oakland, Calif. where she specializes in Jews, love and food."

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Retrieved 2025-10-04 05:31:47 UTC
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