OUR COMMUNITY

J

ewish Senior Life (JSL) of 
Metropolitan Detroit nom-
inated Rose Cooper, 95, of 
West Bloomfield as Volunteer of 
the Week for her years of dedica-
tion to the nonprofit. 
“Rose has been a longtime 
volunteer for JSL in Sharon’s 
Boutique (located at the 
Fleischman Residence on the 
JCC campus) and takes respon-
sibility for purchasing, market-
ing within the shop, sales and 
pricing the merchandise, too. 
She is a dedicated volunteer, and 
we love her energy and style,” 
said Jo Strausz Rosen, execu-
tive director of development at 
Jewish Senior Life.
Cooper used to sit on the 
board as vice president for 
Jewish Home for Aged before it 
was renamed Jewish Senior Life 
in 2009. She continues to stay 
involved with Sharon’s Boutique, 
where all proceeds benefit resi-
dent programs and services.
“I started my volunteer work 
right away after I closed my 
shop,” Cooper explained. 
Cooper owned a Hallmark 
shop in Walled Lake for eight 
years and closed it in 1987. 
“Once retiring from retail, I 
did miss it. Coming to Fleishman 
Residence, I ran into a friend 
named Gail Mandel, who imme-
diately told me I was going to 
work (volunteer) with her.”
Thinking back over her years 
of volunteering, Cooper has 
seen the boutique go through 
many changes. 
“When the boutique changed 
management in 1996, Gale and 
I volunteered to meet the new 
management, customers and 
find volunteers.”
Cooper says while she’s not as 
active as she used to be with JSL, 
she enjoys volunteering her time 
at the boutique.
“I find volunteering is reward-
ing. Not only do you feel you 
are doing your part helping an 

organization, I am also helping to 
fund social activities, entertain-
ment, birthday parties, exercise, 
bingo and many games available 
at each facility,” Cooper explains. 
Cooper volunteers her time at 
the boutique weekly while she 
lives at Hechtman Apartments. 
When she’s not volunteering, 
Cooper enjoys spending time 
with her friends and family.
“
At the age of 95, I still have a 
good life and feeling very fortu-
nate to be able to give back. My 
thoughts always go back to the 
gift shop. It has always been part 
of my life, and when I can be 
there to help under any circum-
stances, I am there.” 

To learn more about JSL, visit jslmi.org. To 

nominate someone to be the next volun-

teer of the week, send a short paragraph 

telling us who and why to rsweet@ 

thejewishnews.com.

Volunteer Rose Cooper is a 
familiar presence at Sharon’s 
Boutique in the Fleischman 
Residence.

A ‘Gift’ to 
the JSL 
Community

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

24 | SEPTEMBER 15 • 2022 

VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK

Rose Cooper on her 95th 
birthday on July 4

Rose Cooper 
attended My Fair 
Lady at the Lincoln 
Center Theater 
(July 2022).

