[SINGLE LIFE

Adviser Joel Ungar,

center, enjoys some light-
hearted rough housing
with his chapter
members.

a

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After work and leisure activities, many singles take
time out to volunteer for communal causes

JOYCE KLEIN

Special to The Jewish News

S

ingles are a strange
bunch. They work zillions
of hours at their jobs.
They spend countless
hours at aerobics, parties
and other recreational activities. Yet,
not all of their time is spent on per-
sonal projects. Many have looked in-
to their hearts to help out their fellow
man by volunteering for a variety of
Jewish and civic causes.
For the most part, singles
volunteer because it balances their
work lives and leisure time. But for
many, they want to give something
back to an organization that at one
time was helpful to them. One such
single volunteer is accountant Joel
Ungar.
A former B'nai B'rith Youth
Organization member, Ungar cur-
rently is the adviser for Chagall AZA,
a post he has held for three years.
Ungar said he felt that his member-
ship in BBYO helped prepare him for
adulthood. He decided to become an
adviser because "I wanted to give
back to the organization the fulfill-

ment and knowledge I had gained as
a youth!'
Arnie Weiner, executive director
of the Michigan Region BBYO, said
about two thirds of his 33 advisers are
single. "Singles get involved because
they know they will meet many peo-
ple,' he said, "both the youth with
whom they work and other advisers
similarly involved!' Usually, Weiner
finds it difficult to find male advisers,
but currently he is in need of more
women advisers. He said many of the
volunteer advisers are BBYO alumni
who had good experiences in the
organization in their youth or had an
adviser who was a good role model.
Cindy Viviano, adviser to, BBYO's
Machar BBG, gets personal satisfac-
tion by working with her chapter. "I
wanted more out of life than socializ-
ing and work. I wanted to provide a
role model, guidance and support for
the youth!' In her role- as adviser, Vi-
viano said she feels she is giving
direction to the chapter.
Jeff Metz, assistant executive
director of the Fresh Air Society who
runs Camp Tamarack, said he, too,
feels he is helping to give direction to
the youth group. A fourth-year ad-
viser to Jolson AZA, Metz spends

about four to six hours weekly on
chapter activities. He said he feels
that he provides the teens with a sup-
port system and a role model.

Often singles volunteer for
organizations because of the cause it
promotes. Ann Rubin, insurance
chairman for the Greater Detroit Sec-
tion, National Council of Jewish
Women, said she volunteers for
NCJW because "I find it fulfulling
that the organizaion helps a great
deal of people through its projects!'
She estimates she devotes about 30
hours per week to volunteer duties.
Karen Pollack, a member of the
NCJW Business and Professional
Branch, echoed Rubin. She said she
likes what the organization stands for
and the diversity of the group, in-
cluding the opportunity to meet new
people. In addition to Council, Pollack
is a member of the Anti-Defamation
League of B'nai B'rith, is on the
Jewish Community Center board and
program committee.
Older singles, particularly
women, have another reason for spen-
ding free time helping others. Accor-
ding to Dorie Shwedel, public rela-
tions director for the Jewish Voca-
tional Service, widowed women often

get involved in volunteer activities
because the loss of a spouse has left
them without a role. "Philanthropic
endeavors are a way to fill this void,"
she explained.
The Sinai Hospital Guild, com-
prised of women and men, has about
150 single volunteers, estimates Amy
Brown, director of volunteer services
for the guild. She said singles are
drawn to the organization for its
social aspect. In addition, volunteer-
ing for the guild affords singles "the
opportunity to be mentally
stimulated, challenged and to learn
something new!'
Alan Funk, executive director of
the Jewish Home for Aged, said he
felt singles volunteer for his agency
because it offers "a variety of
volunteer opportunities. it is a setting
where you an help people directly!'
Iris Mickel, director of community
services for the JHA, estimates about
150 singles volunteer their time to
help the elderly at the agency's
facilities.
Arnie Weiner believes singles
undertake volunteer projects because
they are compassionate and ap-
preciative. "They would like to do
something for the Jewish communi-
ty and people in general!' ❑