MAY 6 • 2021 | 21

shows Rachel Fox, our oldest 
honoree who will be 106 in 
June, displaying what is in 
them, followed by an interview 
with her.”

RESPECT, ADMIRATION
“We have a long-established 
tradition, now in our 19th year, 
of showing our respect and 
admiration for the Greatest 

Generation,” Alterman said. 
“The members of this revered 
club are the cornerstone of 
our community. Their ethics, 
traditions and values shaped 
generations to come. 
“We know from past years 
that the honorees regard this 
as a very significant event. It is 
evidenced by the fact that our 
honorees are frequently accom-

panied by generations of their 
family members and friends, 
some coming from long dis-
tances to honor them. Their 
sense of pride and enjoyment 
pervade the room.
”
Many honorees are return 
brunch guests, but it’s not too 
late for those new to the event 
to join the 93 individuals who 
are 95 or older, who have 
responded so far this year. Of 
that number, 65 are JSL resi-
dents and, amazingly, 15 are 
100 or older, including Milton 
Zussman of Longboat Key, Fla. 
“My father-in-law is a new 
member of the centenarian 
club with his 100th birthday in 
October,
” said brunch co-chair 
Julie Zussman of Huntington 
Woods, who has enjoyed the 
event with four generations of 
her family. “It has been such 
fun attending with him, Rick 
— his son who is my husband 
— along with a few grandchil-
dren and great-grands.

“It is so much fun to see 
honorees reconnecting each 
year, and we look forward to 
witnessing this again.
” 
For now, the hope is that see-
ing familiar faces on the video 
and knowing other honorees 
and guests are viewing it at the 
same time, sharing the same 
meal and enjoying the same 
gifts will create a fun memory. 
Although planning was 
altered and the venue certainly 
changed, the sentiment and 
objective of the event remain.
“This year our goal was to 
ensure everyone felt like they 
were celebrating the Oldest 
Jewish Americans Brunch 
together, with the same feel as 
in years past,
” Katz said. 
“Our virtual program pro-
vides the honorees with the 
music, program and classic 
brunch they’ve come to love. 
We’re honored to recognize 
the Greatest Generation in this 
way.
” 

Honoree, Bernard Jonas enjoys the 2019 brunch with Esther 
Morger, both of West Bloomfield. 

Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.

 
 
 
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