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 “Shoshâ€? Ault found she had a lot of free time. Ask anyone now and they would say “free timeâ€? and “Shoshâ€? 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.

Dating to first grade, Erika Gold remembered always feeling the need to give back. At age 11 during the Holocaust, she lived in a building only for Jews. As they weren’t usually allowed outside, she organized a performance group  and collected money for struggling families in the building.

Though Wendy Cooley was raised Orthodox and her husband Ralph converted to Judaism before they married, the Cooleys said tikkun olam, or repairing the world, had been important to them before even meeting. 

When Rhoda Seifert was growing up, she heard stories about her family’s experiences in the Holocaust.

Holocaust survivor Roman Frayman said volunteering has been part of his life for a long time. After retiring more than 10 years ago, Frayman noted he has many memories of his volunteer life at organizations like Citizens Academy Charter School, Chagrin Highlands Rotary Club and the Ohio Coun…

When he reminisces about life, Ivan Gelfand said he thinks about his many volunteer endeavors. He remembers the first time he volunteered while in high school at the old Jewish Community Center in Cleveland Heights, where he volunteered on Friday afternoons after school. 

Jackie Wiesenthal said she always has considered herself a behind-the-scenes-type of person with a passion for helping others. The Lyndhurst resident and Congregation Shaarey Tikvah member’s volunteer efforts revolve around history as a special education instructor or her synagogue.

For Lee Apple, finding herself two years since she retired isn’t really a change from when she was working. She said volunteering is something she’s always done – her retirement was just an avenue for her to become further involved.

Alice Schubach said when she retired, she didn’t exactly know what was going to happen. She had volunteered with PTA, but volunteering was never something that completely interested her. As she grew older and then retired, she felt a resurgence within herself to help others.