“Silver Linings,” a feature about life after retirement. If you are a retiree with an interesting story about your new life or know of someone who fits the bill, email your suggestion to editorial@cjn.org and include “Silver Linings” in the subject line or tweet us at @CleveJN.
After leading a full working life, Patti Rogat knew exactly what she wanted to do in her retirement – volunteer.
For Bob Young, volunteering isn’t only a part of retirement. It’s part of life and what keeps him involved.
Margie Moskovitz’s working life was just as dynamic as her retirement. Holding various positions in different states, Moskovitz knew she had to continue keeping herself on her toes through retirement.
Donna Kramer didn’t start volunteering because she retired. She was always involved in the community, but in retirement, she viewed this as an opportunity to get involved in new ways.
Inspired by her lifelong experience with children, family and food, Leslie Kleinman spends her retirement channeling it all.
From organizing the Yom Hashoah program in Lorain to speaking at various Lorain County schools and churches about the Holocaust and disseminating copies of Elie Wiesel’s book “Night,” Arnie Milner spends a lot of time during his retirement educating others.
Working as a litigation lawyer for over 30 years, Barbara Friedman Yaksic never had time for much else besides raising her children.
Looking at Renee Siegel’s volunteering resume, one might assume she was a Holocaust survivor. All her activities, be it with the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage or Congregation Shaarey Tikvah’s Face to Face program, both in Beachwood, center around the Holocaust.
When Alan Silverman operated his business, Silverman’s Discount Department Stores, he had a location in East Cleveland. Spending so much time in that environment, he noticed many families struggled to provide their children with clothing, shoes and school uniforms.
Volunteering is a big part of Orry Jacobs’ life.
When asked what motivates her to volunteer, Marilyn Bilsky – as she baked challah – said everything revolves around food.
Bonnie Marks has been retired for only 1½ years, but she hasn’t wasted any time getting involved with her community. Though she volunteered while employed, Marks now has the time to be involved with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Bellefaire JCB and True2You.
Sandra and Bill Arndt volunteer so much that they have little time for anything else, except for their love of travel. The Solon couple volunteers at Menorah Park, but also have their hands in other community organizations like Case Western Reserve University’s Siegal Lifelong Learning program.
When Myra Stone retired in 2013, she knew she wanted to give back to the community. Her parents volunteered since she was a little girl and the concept of service was something she was acutely aware.
When Helen S. Marks came to the United States from Belgium in 1947, following the Holocaust, her whole life was flipped upside down. But what she found here was a career and family, and she discovered she could help others by telling her story.
Though Iris Greene describes herself as “shy” and “very introverted,” her love for the arts and her community inspires her to give back and be involved.
When she retired and her husband died, Agnes “Shosh” Ault found she had a lot of free time. Ask anyone now and they would say “free time” and “Shosh” don’t go together. Ault fills her days with volunteering at organizations like the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, Fairview Hosp…
Russell Benghiat has worked for most of his life, but that never stopped him from becoming involved with his community.
Natalie Barr has never let her busy life get the best of her. No matter how many projects she’s taking on, whether it is volunteering or helping a loved one cook for an event, Barr always finds the time.
A member of the Cleveland Jewish News 18 Difference Makers class of 2016, Tom Adler’s reputation precedes him – especially when it comes to volunteering.
