jews d in the continued from page 34 MEL DRYMAN Raised in Detroit, Experienced in Arizona Your Professional & Dedicated ARIZONA REALTOR THE HISTORY Mobile: (480) 239-8686 mel.dryman@azmoves.com Each Office Independently Owned and Operated 2117430 Home for Sale - Huntington Woods English Tudor built in 1925. Approximately 2900 sq. ft . .25 acre lot. 4 Bedrooms. 4-1/2 baths. 2-car attached garage. Chef ’s kitchen. Heated driveway. Heated gutters/downspouts. Whole house generator. 2nd fl oor laundry. Sprinklers. Beautifully landscaped. Berkley schools. Phone 248-547-7025, please leave a message. No brokers or agents. Lifelong learning programs for retirees, sponsored by colleges and universities, were nothing new when WSU mounted its own, according to SOAR board mem- ber Martin Herman, Ph.D. The retired WSU humanities professor explores opera for SOAR. In 2003, he said, WSU approved a faculty- led proposal to devise a “coherent Martin Herman and meaningful out- reach program that addressed the needs of community retirees.” One of SOAR’s prominent founders was the late Norma Goldman, who taught Latin at WSU from 1945-91. She recruited members to the original SOAR steering committee. Members were current or recently retired WSU faculty and staff members, as well as representatives from local community organizations, including the Area Agency on Aging. Others important to SOAR’s suc- cess were Sharon O’Brien, who is still prominent; Bill Slater and Fred Marblestone. In recent years, 875 was the peak of enrollment for a single SOAR term. THE INSTRUCTORS ASSISTED LIVING I MEMORY CARE OPENING FALL 2017 IN OAKLAND COUNTY! Welcome to the lifestyle you seek, the care and security you need and the dignity you deserve. Our communities include The Village Square, 3 on-site restaurants with Chef-prepared meals, a Concierge approach to care and more. This is where life happens! NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS! SOAR’s instructors contribute their services because they enjoy sharing their knowledge and want to benefit the community. One popular instructor is Mel Chudnof, Ph.D., who retired from Oakland Community College after a 43-year career as professor of psy- chology and social work. A former Mel Chudnof student working for SOAR introduced him to the program. Chudnof has taught five different class topics in his specialty, including “Mentally Healthy Aging.” He also pre- sented on his genealogy research trip to Ukraine. SOAR students are “an enthusiastic and verbal group of 60- to 90-year- olds, who have had a fascinating variety of professional and life experi- ences,” Chudnof said. “I get a lot of participation and discussion.” Michael Beltzman, a SOAR board mem- ber retired from sales and marketing, has many returnees for his film discus- sion classes. Beltzman became an instructor Michael Beltzman because, like his students, he loves watching good films. Other Jewish instructors and their subjects include Paula Finkelstein, literature; Fred Pearson, political sci- ence; Robert Sedler, constitutional law; and Arnold Collens, combining photography with history. THE STUDENTS After retirement, Dr. Larry Abramson sought things that would “keep me entertained, increase my knowledge or appreciation of addi- Dr. Larry tional subjects and Abramson offer opportunities to meet like-minded individuals.” Conversations with friends and family led him to SOAR. He regularly signs up for “Great Decisions,” a focused group discussion on foreign policy. “It provides a historical basis and then explores significant issues impacting the U.S.,” Abramson said. His passion for cinema has grown, thanks to classes with Beltzman and Elliott Wilhelm, curator for the DIA’s Detroit Film Theatre. Abramson cred- its SOAR field trips for giving him “an increased appreciation of my com- munity.” Spreitzer-Berent, a retired gerontol- ogist, studies art, architecture, health, law, music, politics, religion and sci- ence — “whatever happens to pique my interest at the time.” SOAR often fills a need for retirees who miss their circle of friends at work. “Along with the teaching, which I enjoy, I have had the pleasure of meet- ing some terrific people, both in the classroom and throughout the faculty,” Beltzman said. “Many of these people have become good friends.” • 855-543-2636 WWW.FIRSTANDMAIN.US 3051 E WALTON BOULEVARD, AUBURN HILLS, MI 48326 100 W SQUARE LAKE ROAD, BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI 48302 2500 MARTIN PARKWAY, COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI 48390 36 August 24 • 2017 jn SOAR REGISTRATION Sign up for the fall term, starting Sept. 8, at soarexplore.com. Attendees can also register and pay by check at WSU-Oakland Center, 33737 W. 12 Mile, Farmington Hills. Two free pre-term classes, open to non-current SOAR members only, will be held at 1 p.m. at Birmingham Temple in Farmington Hills. “The 1967 Detroit Riots” is Sept. 6, and “Artificial Intelligence,” Sept. 7. For information: soarcontact@gmail.com or (248) 489-0005.