teens in action

by Josh Sider

learning from our elders

FJA juniors find common ground with 8/80 honorees through one-on-one interviews.

W
7- hen I was asked to be a
part of the 8/80 (Jewish
: Senior Life's Eight Over
80) program, I was initially reluctant.
I really did not think I had anything to
gain from interviewing an octogenar-
ian I had never met. Looking back, it
was a very good decision to participate
in such a meaningful experience.
The 8/80 program honors distin-
guished members of the community,
all older than 80, who have truly made
a positive difference in our community.
The luncheon was May 15 at Congre-
gation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.
I had the honor of interviewing
Austin Kanter, 83, of West Bloom-
field, a man whose life is an example
we should all try to live up to. When
we first met, I was unsure about how
the interview would work, but as soon
as we began talking, I realized Mr.
Kanter and I had more in common
than I expected.
In addition to his many interesting
qualities, Mr. Kanter is an avid sailor.

up the dream of peace. If tikvah
helped him fight on the front
lines, it will lead me to stand up
for my people.
After reaching this realiza-
tion, I heard applause; he was
done. He left quickly, and I will
always regret not shaking his
hand and thanking him for in-
spiring me.
Although he insisted that the
pleasure of speaking there was
his, it was truly an honor to be
in the presence of such a man. I
never met him face to face, but
I will never forget the vital les-
son he taught me — the lesson of
tikvah.

Danielle Rittman,

17, is a junior

at Berkley High

School.

Sailing is something

that I have enjoyed
since I learned how a
few summers ago. It
was very cool to find
something that we
had in common, and
it helped me realize
that even though he
is a "few" years older
than me, we could
still have things we
shared.
I interviewed him
the day after the col-
lege basketball na-
tional championship
game. I am a big bas-
ketball fan and love
playing, so it was fun
to be able to discuss Junior Max Vieder interviews 8/80 honoree Jack A. Robinson.
with him something
that I enjoy. Talking about basketball example to young people like me.
From one short and wonderful
helped us relate to each other, despite
conversation with Mr. Kanter, I went
our clear gap in age.
Throughout the course of our dis- from thinking that I had little to gain
cussion, Mr. Kanter related to me from interviewing an octogenarian

some of his philoso-
phies about life — things
I think we as Jews and
as people can all bene-
fit from. One lesson he
shared with me was an
observation about the
rich history Jews have
and the responsibility
we have to carry on the
legacy our ancestors
have passed down to
us. I thought this was a
very good way to look at our Judaism
and how we relate to our history.
Another thing he told me (some-
thing I think we often forget or don't
realize) is that we should make a con-
scious decision to live a fun, happy
life, and that we should go out and
experience the world and enjoy it.
One of the coolest things for me
about the whole experience was hear-
ing about Mr. Kanter's life. He told
me about his travels around the world
and how he has visited all seven conti-
nents. He saw tigers in Asia and mag-
nificent glaciers in Antarctica.
He has done so many great things
in his life and has so much to be
proud of. He is an inspiration and an

to realizing how much we can learn
from those who live full and vibrant
lives: We can make a difference. We
can go out and make something of
our lives.

Josh Sider, 16, is a junior

at Frankel Jewish Acad-

emy in West Bloomfield.

He was among eight FJA

Juniors who interviewed

8/80 honorees. The

students introduced them

at the brunch on May 15.

Left: Junior Polina Fradkin talks with honoree

Marvin Fleischman. Below: Honoree Austin

Kanter shares with junior Josh Sider.

teen2teen May 19.2011 TT3