By Libby Barsky

Special to The Jewish State

Name: Norman Leder

Occupation: Retired New York City English teacher

Address: Clark

Family: Married for 54 years to Elaine, a retired teacher. They have two daughters: Carrie, a homemaker,is  married to Bernard Katz a bankruptcy accountant with JR Cohen & Company.  They live in Scotch Plains with daughters Stefanie and Tracey. Barbara, a homemaker, is married to Joel Seltzer, an attorney. They live in Edison with daughter Rachel, 14.  Sister Blanche is married to David Dodes. They have three children and live in Hamden, Conn. Brother Walter died at age 39.

Community Activities: President of B’nai B’rith. Former long-time member of Temple Beth O’r/ Beth Torah. Volunteer musician at Daughters of Israel and Lyons Medical Center for veterans. Recently joined musicians Russ Kelner and Arthur Cappola to form musical group “Cream Cheese” (‘We spread ourselves all over’), and in August, the group sang at Y’s Nursing Home, Springfield, and the Workman’s Circle Home.

Hobbies: Singing and meeting with friends for breakfast at Bagel Chateau.

Self portrait: “I like to help people and to be helpful. I find it fulfilling to talk to those who are in need– students, veterans, or seniors. I find it’s really helpful to them and it makes me feel valued. 

Motto: What he’d like to see on his tombstone: “ I wanted to help someone."

Greatest accomplishment: “Having an essay written about me by a student in another teacher’s class about how my efforts helped her to graduate high school. At my retirement, a fellow teacher gave me the essay, written 21 years before. But right now I am finding great fulfillment in singing and playing to those who are in residence nursing homes and senior centers, playing as part of the trio ‘Cream Cheese.’”

Bad habits: "I’m a little too trusting of people."

Favorite TV: “‘60 Minutes’ and old movies. I love older movies where people show tenderness and kindness. My favorite scene is from ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ when all the black people stood up when Scout’s father, the defense attorney, walked out of the courthouse after defending an innocent black man.”

Favorite food: “Matches Herring.”

Best childhood memory: “Being with a Zionist organization, Hashome Hatzamer, with my best friend. Many in the group made Aliyah to Israel later.”

People don’t know that I’m ….   “A veteran of the Korean War. I was stationed in Ft. Belmar in Virginia and ran an officers club. I ran it, I didn’t entertain.”

Last book I read: “I’m a student of the Civil War. I read a lot of Civil War history. Right now I’m reading Carl Sandburg’s biography of Abraham Lincoln.  We find out who the person is when we read about them in crisis.”

The biggest asset in the local Jewish communities: “The temple, which is a place of gathering for us. I’m not religious, but I it’s a place where we Jews can be together; that’s important to me. They provide a sense of community.”

The biggest problem in the local Jewish communities: “Giving too much importance to assimilation. When I was young and a Boy Scout, I was proud to be an American, but too much emphasis on Americanization may cause the loss of our Jewish individuality and loss to being part of the Jewish community.”

If I had more time: “I’d do more with music.”