Esther Adler, a gifted educator, is far from finishing the work that has been a lifelong passion. At 96, she has important lessons to share, and for this, we are truly grateful. When she was in her late 80s, Esther … Continued
LAST YEAR, I SHARED THIS POST TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST ESTHER COOPER JACKSON. THIS WEEK, AS WE COMMEMORATE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, ITS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO AGAIN HONOR MS. COOPER JACKSON. Esther Cooper … Continued
Zecil Gravitz thinks often about future generations. She does so with good reason. She recently welcomed her fifth great-grandchild. As she discusses the recent birth of the newest family member, she underscores the wonder of continuity. “My son just … Continued
Deborah Davidson’s life trajectory has been a circuitous route. Either by desire or necessity, she has explored directions that are uncharted and unplanned. She stays for a while, and when a destination is no longer interesting or workable, she … Continued
When Henny Wenkart was ten years old, her life was endangered. Like all Viennese Jews in 1939, Henny was no longer welcome in her native city. Nazi Germany had annexed Austria and was implementing plans to eradicate the Jewish community. … Continued
Who says we can’t continue to grow at any age? When Barbara Samuel was nearly 80, she discovered her ability to take charge. “I realized how strong I was. I hadn’t known my real strength.” It’s not that in earlier … Continued
May 19, 1947 was a night Dottie will always remember. Along with her husband Arthur, their young son, and her parents, Dottie was seated around the table in her Syracuse, NY kitchen. The group listened intently to the live radio … Continued
The daylight that floods into Betsy Cady’s living room highlights her ruddy cheeks and vibrant blue eyes. She has just returned from a vacation in the Azores with a group of friends. The suitcase in the hallway is the only … Continued
When people hear Frances Budd’s life story, they marvel at how she managed. Frances is not comfortable with the praise. It seems unwarranted. “I did what I had to do… what anyone would have done. I was suddenly a widow … Continued
As I highlighted in my earlier blog post, Esther Cooper Jackson 101, Esther Cooper Jackson is an impressive woman who was on the front lines in the throes of the civil rights movement. She spearheaded the … Continued
Esther Cooper Jackson is a petit powerhouse. Her one-bedroom in the nursing home is small, and still she barely takes up any space. She sits in a … Continued
“I was sad that I never saw the peach tree reach fruition.” At age 20, Trudy Schwarz left Stuttgart, Germany. It was 1939 and, as a Jew, it had become increasingly difficult to remain in her native city. She … Continued
Rubylee Shuman keeps a funeral file. The file is something she has been maintaining for 25 years or so. She was motivated to start it around the time her mother died. … Continued
“I still feel very alive!” Natalie Kaplan is 91, and she’s finding this to be an interesting time of life. She lives in an airy condo north of Boston that is decorated in gentle, soothing colors. Her apartment and the … Continued
“I’m alive and still kicking … although not so sure about the kicking because at 92, I can’t walk without a walker.” Eight years ago, when Ruth Whitman was 84, she … Continued
“I’ve seen a lot of changes during my lifetime. For many years, the only way to keep our food cold was to wait for the iceman to fill the icebox. Now look at me! I’m … Continued
“Prepare as much as possible for the future. But live for today.” This is the sage advice that Marcia Rowe offers to anyone wondering how to navigate in later years. It’s a sentiment that she wholeheartedly embraces, especially the … Continued
From left to right: Esther Adler, Uri Radbil and Sherryl Radbil It all started with an article in The Jewish Advocate. The four of us gathered around Esther Adler’s dining room table appeared to be intently working on … Continued
