100
Name: Attleboro Retirement Community
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Continued from Page 20
They’re both so proud of their family,
noting that several of them have gone on
to become doctors or business leaders.

A lot of support for their marriage
comes from their family, which Norman
said means a lot to him.

And after all these years, he said he and
Eleanor both have “complete faith with
each other.”
“Nothing comes between our love,
nothing at all. There are no bad moments,
no bad times.”
Centennial Celebrations
“All the incidents that have happened in
my life and her life — the children, grand-
children, their growth and development,
and the development of business ventures
— all in all, it was a great trip down
memory lane,” Norman recalled.

As for their upcoming birthdays, they
hope for just a quiet evening at home, not
making a big deal of it because it can
become overwhelming with so many
family members chatting and schmoozing
in tight corners.

“I know what’s going to happen. Each
one of the children and grandchildren will
come separately or only with their family,”
Norman predicted.

Name: Margaret Morse Tours, Inc.

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Looking Beyond 100 Years
After nearly 100 years, what does Norman
hope for the future?
“Just to get up in the morning,” he joked.

Humor aside, Norman did have some
advice for the younger generation about
getting older.

“Have patience with each other. If
anything is wrong, talk about it and forget
about the arguments” — and do what’s
right, he added.

“My whole life has really been wrapped
around family. We’re so proud of our
family — three doctors in the family,
another going to dental school, the others
in business ventures. The whole family has
done well, which gives me a great amount
of satisfaction because I’ve found that now
that I’m pretty well set in life, I’m at peace
with myself.”
He continued that they’re not too
concerned for their family in the future
because they know they are going to do
great things.

“Love, understanding, patience — what
else is in life? I guess we’re pretty lucky.” l
Contact: rkurland@jewishexponent.com;
215-832-0737 22
DECEMBER 15, 2016
THE GOOD LIFE
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



JON MARKS | JE STAFF
While old soldiers may just fade
away, old rabbis are finding
retirement is merely the start of the
next chapter in their busy lives.

Now that they no longer have to worry on a regular basis
about what words of wisdom they need to inspire their
former congregants, especially during times of crisis,
they’ve discovered a different world.

It’s a world where, in many cases, their everyday lives —
due to the commitment it takes that goes well beyond the
bimah — have often had to take a back seat to until now.

But no longer.

Now they can read that book they never quite had
time to finish. Or write that short story that’s been in the
back of their minds. Or teach. Or attend the theater. Or
learn to cook. Or do nonprofit work for a public service
agency. Or simply get away somewhere and relax, an
option seldom available when so many depend on you.

The main thing retired rabbis universally say is that it
helps to have some kind of plan.

“I’ve read a number of books about retiring clergy,
which I found helpful,” said Gary Gans, rabbi emeritus of
Congregation Beth Tikvah in Marlton, N.J., who, among
other things, is spending the holidays as the rabbi on a
cruise ship. “They all spoke about being creative and
finding positive outlets.

“I am doing exactly that. I’m a licensed family
therapist with a doctorate. So I’ll be doing some
of that. I’m also on the board at Crescent
Memorial Park cemetery and a chaplain in
the Evesham Township Police Department.

I’m going to lectures I couldn’t make before
and auditing a class in social work at
Rutgers-Camden. “And I’m also a genealogist. I was able
to attend a conference last year in Seattle
and previously in Jerusalem.”
GARY GANS
Gans’ hectic life is typical of his col-
leagues, who’ve discovered new passions
once they stepped away from the pulpit.

See Rabbis, Page 24