Community Blog Jewish Is the Name of My Life

From the time I was a very little girl my Jewish heritage was very obvious in our home. I remember the blue box in our kitchen, watching my mother putting coins in it every day. I remember going to Sunday School at Kehillath Israel, and unfortunately remember watching my mother as the rock of her family running the many Shivas in our house.

My mother was involved with many of the Boston Jewish organizations, and often left early in the day to perform her philanthropic duties. Most often she would return home in time to make dinner with her hat still happily on her head. She was involved with Hadassah, Beth Israel Hospital, the old aged home, Brandeis, the Sisterhood at KI, and the Hebrew Teachers College in Brookline. She was heavily involved in so many organizations and I certainly was the recipient of all of her good work. And I was indulged as a life member of so many organizations that my mother was diligently raising money for.

When she became a member of the Hebrew Teachers College, now called Hebrew College, she was named Treasurer of the Women’s Division. For many years in the springtime, our dining room table was completely covered with all the papers that were a part of the Hebrew Teachers Colleges Dinner Dance. She knew everyone who was coming and knew how much they contributed. It was many weeks of planning and she always raised a lot of money. She was the chairman of this event for many years. By this time, I became very involved as well. And throughout the many years, I and my family have always contributed to the well being of Hebrew College.

Pictured above: A clipping from the local Palm Beach newspaper of Esther and her husband, Sumner, hosting a dinner for Hebrew College in their Florida home.