HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, APRIL 20, 2012, PAGE 3A
Harry Migdal and Lil Berkowitz
By Michelle Schwartz
JCC
The Roth Jewish Com-
munity Center of Greater
Orlando's 39ers group (in a
nod to Jack Benny's Forever
39 character) has long kept
local Jewish seniors busy with
everything from Game Day to
Sunday Movie to Book Club.
but sometimes in the midst
of all this activity, a special
relationship develops.
"I joined the JCC actually
looking for a buddy," recalls
Burt Lieberman, 86, of AI-
tamonte Springs. "I wasn't
really looking for more than
that when I met Gloria at a
therapeutic swim class."
Having gotten away from
her Jewish roots for many
years, Gloria Irwin, 80, also
of Altamonte Springs, was
intrigued when Burt men-
tioned the JCC Seniors. He
wasthrilted wJ'~en she showed
up a few weeks later and
joined right away. "Neither of
us was looking for more than
a friendship, but we quickly
realized how nice it is to spend
time with someone. I've gone
with her to her granddaugh-
ter's birthday, parties and the
family gave me a thumbs-up,"
laughs Burt.
Roy Singer, 88, of Maitland
had to work a little harder
after he took a liking to Claire
Rosenberg, 81, of Casselberry.
"He asked me out several
times, and I kept turning him
down." Claire remembers.
"Finally one day he brought
me flowers when I saw him at
the ]CC. I was friendly with
his wife when she was alive. I
knew he was such a nice man
and we enjoy spending time
together."
Roy adds. "She cooks bet-
ter than I do. so it works out
great for me!'"
For some couples, it seems
like fate had them aligned with
each other. Billie Goldhar, 87,
of Longwood had been wid-
owed for several years when
she suggested a few friends
go to a movie one weekend.
"When you are alone, the week
can be busy but the weekends
can be very lonely."
Mutual friends introduced
her to Gerry Stein, also of
Longwood butwhen he asked
if she'd like to go to dinner,.
she ~anicked. "I called my
daughter and said, 'I have a
date! What will I say? What
should I do?'" After her
daughter calmed her nerves
for her first date in 65 years,
she completely enjoyed her-
self and the couple has been
together for six yearsnow.
"We realized shortly after
that this was all meant to be.
His grandson was coinciden-
tally living in my daughter's
old house in Tusk.awilla and
even stranger, our respective
spouses had been cared for in
the same hospice when they
Roy Singer and Claire Rosenberg
Gloria Irwin and Burr Lieberr~an
were sick, actually in the
same room."
For some couples like Lil-
lian Berkowitz, 84, and Harry
Migdal, 91, of Longwood, love
came quickly and easily. "It's
been two years now," Lillian
says, "and we're together all
the time. We got together
on May 12, 2010 and for the
first year, he gave me a gift
on the 12th of every month.
We don't have any interest
in actually getting married.
but we consider ourselves
married."
As president of the 39ers.
Lillian, accompanied by
Harry, can be found with the
JCC Seniors five to six days a
week. Some days, it's Trivia
Day, some it's Bridge and oth-
ers it's the monthly Thursday
night"Seniors Nite Club" to a
local ethnic restaurant.
The group certainJy agrees
on one thing. The secret to
staying young and vibrant:
activity and socializing.
When his wife of 55 years
died suddenly, A1 Sarnoff,
87, of Oviedo, had a decision
to make. "After a while, I
Yvette Blum and A1Sarnoff
Billie Goldhar and Gerry Stein
thought. 'I can sit here and
stare at the four walls, or I
can get out and get busy.'"
He met Yvette Blum. 80,
of Orlando, soon after com-
ing back to the JCC Seniors,
where he had been active with
his late wife. The pair often
joined a large group going
to dinner on Monday nights
after their day's activities
at the J. It made for an easy
transition from "singles" to
"Couple" and they've been
together for five years now.
"When [ met his daughter,
she introduced me as 'my
future-stepmother, I hope',"
laughs Yvette. "We have no
plans of getting married.
but we do enjoy each other's
company. We have a lot in
common and it feels nice to
have someone to keep you
from getting lonely."
While individually, they
were all blessed with Iong,
successful marriages, some
of 50-plus years, none of
them ever conceived of find-
ing someone special later in
life after losing a spouse. "I
never even thought about it.'"
says Burr, "but it's so nice to
stay active andhave someone
to sp~,ad time with." And for
many, the JCC Seniors has
provided both.
Internationally renowned
genealogist Megan Lewis will
be speaker of the month at the
next meeting of the Jewish Ge-
nealogical Society of Greater
Orlando. She will present
"Resources for Genealogists
at the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum and How
to Use Them" via the Internet.
The meeting and programwill
be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24
at Southwest Orlando Jewish
Congregation.
Ever .wonder what exactly
the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum in Wash-
ington, D.C., has (and what
they don't have?) This talk
will present an overview of
the broad variety of sources
available to Jewish genealo-
gists at the museum, such as
books, archival collections,
oral. histories and the Inter-
national Tracing Services
records and show how they
relate to one another. The
talk will then demonstrate
how to find sources relevant
to your own research using
Museum databases. Finally,
the talk will discuss how
United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum
Megan Lewis
to do research either at the
museum inWashington, D.C.,
or remotely.
Lewis, MLS, has worked
at the USHMM since 1998.
Currently a reference librar-
ian in the museum's library
and archives reading room.
she previously spent 12 years
working for the museum's
Holocaust Survivors and
Victims Resource Center. the
division of the museum that
specialized in researching the
fates of specific individuals.
Lewis has talked about the
Museum and its resources
to genealogical conferences,
gatherings of Holocaustsurvi-
vors and the American Library
Association.
She currently is working
on a private research project
about genealogists' use of
testimonial sources which
she presented at the Future
of Holocaust Testimonies II
conference in March 2012.
A JGSGO Maven's Corner
will be available starting at
6:30 p.m. prior to the sched-
uled program, by reservation
only. Those interested in meet-
ing with a maven to discuss a
genealogy, problem should
bring a c6ncise description
of their genealogical question
and relevant background data.
Please email your question
and-background information
and to reserve an appointment
to jgsgo.maven@gmail.com.
For more information:
Marlis Humphrey at 321-727-
3832 or jgsgo.programs@
gmail.com.
Inspirational seniors
Is there an inspirational senior citizen in your life?
• Someone whose life story influencedyou to accomplish something you never thought
you could do. Someone whose encouragement got you over a hurdle that was in your
way. Someone you admired and who made you a better person.
Heritage Florida Jewish News would like to share those stories in its Savvy Seniors
edition May 4. The deadline for the tributes is April 25. Please write Savvy Seniors
in the subject field and keep the articles under 600 words.
Nominate a mensch for the Heritage Human
Service Award
Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2012 Heritage
Human Service Award, which will be presented on Aug. 19 at the annual meeting of
the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando.
~For more than 25 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contribu-
tions of their talent, time, energy, and effort to the Central Florida community have
been honored with the selection and presentation of this award," said Jeff Gaeser,
editor and publisher of. the Heritage.
According to Gaeser, "Each recipient chose their own path, but made considerable
and long lasting contributions to the Jewish community. Nominees for the 2012 award
are individuals who do not look for recognition but perform tikkun olam--repairing
the world out of internal motivation."
Nominations should be e-mailed or typed on 8 1/2x 11-inch paper and sent by mail.
Included should be the name and phone number of the nominee, a documented list of
his or her accomplishments, and the name and phone number of the nominator(s).
Submit the information to Heritage Florida Jewish News Human Service Award,
207 O'Brien Road, Suite 101, Fern Park, FL 32730 or email news@orlandoheritage,
corn (in subject line add "Human Service Award").
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