One Minute With Len Smollen
June 6, 2008

Name: Len Smollen

Occupation: Retired Furniture businessman

Address: The Ponds in Monroe Township

Age: 80

Family: Son Jay lives in Griffin, Ga., works for a bank, and is married to Patty, a childcare provider. Their son Jeremy works in retail and was married June 7. Daughter Lisa Thuro is divorced and works a school aide and lives in Poolesville, Md. with her three children: Jared, Corey, and Mia. Daughter Stacy lives in Ponte Bedra Beach Fla. where she manages a health food store and is married to Michael Gannon, who works for Aetna. They have two children: Joey and Regina. Sister Joyce is married to Arthur Koven  and live in the Bronx. Their son, Barry, lives in Brooklyn and daughter, Jill, lives in Yorkville, N.Y.

Community activities: Membership Chairman for Congregation Etz Chaim-Monroe Township Jewish Center.

Hobbies: Painting, going to the Robert Wood Johnson Health spa in Hamilton, and becoming involved with the seniors going places and doing things.

Self-portrait: "Curious. I'm finding my spirituality and finding what Judaism means to me and understanding it. That's why I had my second bar mitzvah, not as a kid having a party but really living it, experiencing it and having be a meaningful part of my life."

Greatest accomplishment: "Just learning who I am and I am still learning after a year of classes with Rabbi Benjamin Levy for my second bar mitzvah."

Favorite TV: "The History International Channel."

Favorite Food: "All Jewish Soul food -- Brisket, lox, bagels and all that good stuff."

Bad habits: "I procrastinate."

Best childhood memory: "Took a cross-country trip on Route 66 going west when I was 21 and back from service in WWII, where I was stationed for more than two years on a ship in the Mediterranean."

People don't know that I... "Am very serious about my painting. I paint in acrylics and I have been told my work resembles the work of Jackson Pollock."

Last book I read: "I don't read books. I listen to Books on Tape and CDs in the car. Rabbi Benjamin Levy gave me the tape of 'Night' by Eli Weisel."

The biggest asset in the local Jewish communities: "My congregation. It's meaningful for me. I've gone along a path of learning here."

The biggest problem in the local Jewish communities: "Getting together with other religious groups and having a meaningful dialogue with them."

If I had more time I would: "I would just become more involved with what I do."