“UNRETIREMENT” — THAT’S THE LATEST BUZZWORD
to describe a trend among older adults, particularly baby boomers,
who reject conventional notions of retirement.

Maybe they start a second career. Maybe they join the Peace
Corps. Maybe they devote themselves to learning new skills or trans-
forming their communities. For Jewish older adults, the lure of vol-
unteerism may be especially strong, as the concept of tikkun olam,
and giving back, is central to the Jewish value system.

Wyndmoor resident Glenna Shire, 68, has been retired for five
years but finds she can’t help getting involved in projects if it’s some-
thing she feels strongly about.

A teacher for the deaf for 30 years, Shire recently had the oppor-
tunity to share her knowledge about deaf culture with a group of
West Philadelphia girls, ages 9 to 14. The girls are in a Salvation
Army program called Be Your Best, which provides lessons on every-
thing from setting a table to mastering a strong handshake.

It’s an eclectic curriculum, thanks to program leader Collette
McBratney, who brought Shire into the class after meeting her at a
Glenna Shire (fourth from left) stands with
the Be Your Best Crew she taught to sign.

20 MAY 12, 2016
THE GOOD LIFE
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



hair salon and hearing about her career.

“Those young ladies in West Philadelphia need to understand
differences and not be afraid,” said McBratney, 67, who also works
fulltime for Independence Blue Cross. “With Glenna, there’s a lot
of animation and energy because she’s a straight shooter. There’s au-
thenticity along with her expertise.”
Shire talked to the girls about what deaf people are like, and bust-
ed the myths that persist about deaf culture. She also taught them
some American Sign Language (ASL).

“My particular thrust was to show that there are differences [be-
tween people] but that it doesn’t have to be a bad thing,” Shire said.

“It can be a valuable thing.”
By explaining the various ways that deaf people process infor-
mation, she said, “it shows there are all different kinds of listening.

Not every deaf person signs. I showed them how difficult it can be
to lip read, how tiring it can be. We talked about the accommoda-
tions that deaf people have to have to level the playing the field.

They got to see that everyone does things in a different way, but it
doesn’t have to be weird or bad. Respect was an important value.”
The girls tried some sign language for themselves and seemed
to enjoy it.

“ASL is done on the hands, and it’s a very expressive language,”
Shire said. “It’s a nice way to show you can express your feelings in
a different manner, rather than lashing out.”
McBratney believed Spire’s visit made a big difference.

“I think what they thought a deaf person was like changed —
they appreciated that a deaf person wants to dance, too,” she said.

“[Now, after Glenna’s visit], they wouldn’t let fear prevent them from
making a friend.”
McBratney also thought that Shire’s age was an advantage,
prompting the girls to think about their own future plans.

“Here’s Glenna — was she always a doctor? How did she do it?
I think [it’s good] seeing a person who has come through a career
but also balanced that with children or grandchildren and has retired
to do something good.”
Older adults, McBratney said, suggest to kids that “there’s a cit-
izenship — there’s a giving back to other people.”
Major Philip Ferreira, director of operations for the Salvation
Army of Philadelphia, agrees.

“We consider volunteers very valuable to us. Older people bring
a lot to the table,” he said. “Senior volunteers — regardless of
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