Barbara L Lazar

Barbara “Bonnie” Lee Lazar was born in May 1948, ten days after the establishment of the state of Israel, to Dorothy and Sidney Simmons in Los Angeles, California. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley, attending Madison Junior High and Grant High School, before attending UC Santa Barbara and graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Anthropology. She then moved to Israel for ten years, earning a master’s degree from The Technion in Urban Planning. After returning to Los Angeles, she began her 30-year long career as a city planner for the City of Burbank. Everyone describes her as “the best mom.” She cherished her role as a mother to her three children, Oren, Donna, and Maya, and devoted her life to actively raising them with all the joy, love, creativity, and beauty this world can offer. Her loving care extended to her entire community, and she treated everyone she met with the gentleness, kindness, and compassion of a mother, touching the lives of everyone she met. Her boundless energy and inventiveness made everything brighter, more interesting, and more fun. She loved to explore nature, creating a growing sanctuary in her home garden full of roses, jasmine, and fruit trees. She loved to craft: clay, paper, puffy paints, napkin holders, and “love” spice shakers all came to life in her hands. She was a creative and adventurous kosher cook, making delicious meals filled with love. She loved to explore the world around her, interested in everything she saw and everyone she met. Passionate about Judaism and Israel, Barbara made her home a place of gathering and connection. Celebrating Friday night Shabbats with family, Sukkot in her elaborate sukkah, and large and inclusive Passover seders, she opened her home to everyone and truly loved to be surrounded by family and friends. She was a dedicated supporter of Israel, committing herself to AIPAC and its mission. After her retirement, Barbara intended to slow down a bit, but failed. She never stopped moving. Though she continued to freelance as a city planner, she committed her time to causes she that were important to her. She cared for her mother and father though their passing, helping them transition and move through the years with ease and grace. She leveraged her vast organizational abilities to serve on the board of Family Promise to aid in their goal to help families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. She lobbied with AIPAC both in Los Angeles and Washington, DC. She loved pottery, continuing her education and practice with friends. She had beautiful get-togethers to celebrate even the smallest occasions and threw elaborate parties to create beautiful memories for bigger ones. She enjoyed riding her bike along the beach with her friends. She traveled all over the world, learned to sail, and snuggled her cherished dogs. Barbara wanted to be remembered with joy, so she would like to encourage everyone who thinks of her to recall the fun memories and happy times she has shared.