Class Correspondent

60th Reunion
June 5-7, 2015

Elaine Ostroff, P’80, G’13, has begun her second year as coordinator of the Berkeley Prize Teaching Fellowship. The program supports more inclusive design as an integral part of undergraduate architectural education. Elaine works with a small group of architecture faculty from India, Serbia and Hong Kong who have been selected as fellows. The photography of Arthur Sharenow, P’85, P’89, was featured in an exhibition, “Southeast Asia: Impressions of a Tourist,” at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, Mass., his hometown. Herb Lewis, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, published a book, “In Defense of Anthropology: An Investigation of the Critique of Anthropology.” Evelyn Sheffres writes, “I was recently given a commission to create and enamel a Megillah case for a family, which will be presented to their temple (in Little Rock, Ark.) in memory of their parents. Just when I was ready to close up shop, this exciting project arrived and made my creative juices flow once again.” Manfred Wolf reports that “Survival in Paradise,” a memoir of his childhood and adolescence, is available in both print and electronic versions. The last chapter is subtitled “From Curaçao to Brandeis.” Charlotte Langone McElroy writes, “Having just turned 80, I feel fortunate to have lived long enough to see our three children and six grandchildren prosper and develop into wonderful men and women. I recently returned from a two-week tour of Israel with Evi Sheffres. I have not retired yet and am dreading doing so. I look forward to seeing you all in June at Reunion.” Sherwood “Sherry” Gorbach writes, “On the threshold of my 80th birthday, I reflect on my current situation and how I got here. I have now retired three times — once from Tufts Medical School, where I still teach intermittently as emeritus professor, and twice from pharmaceutical companies, most recently in September. However, I still work as a consultant to a biotech firm and as editor of a biweekly medical journal for infectious-disease specialists. In addition, we have produced a new version of the probiotic I developed some years ago, which will be commercialized in Europe and China. I did give up my medical practice six months ago. After nearly 50 years of taking care of patients, the change was right for me. Now I spend more time singing in a community chorus and learning some basic harmony. Judy ’58 and I are comfortable in the Berkshires in the summer; La Jolla, Calif., in the winter; and Weston, Mass., in between. Our children and grandchildren are all well. Overall, it is a satisfying life of partial work and retirement. Fond memories of Brandeis and our classmates have provided support and inspiration all these years.” Carolyn Altschul Feigenbaum published a children’s picture book, “A Bench in London: The Story of an American Soldier,” which she shares with students in the Maryland-Washington, D.C., area and promotes at book fairs and bookstores, and during her travels. She frequently visits her children and grandchildren in Seattle, Boston and New York (fortunately, one daughter lives nearby). She writes, “Every May at the awards assembly at the local high school, I present the Brandeis Book Award to a deserving member of the junior class. I’m proud to share information about Brandeis at the event.” To honor Naima (Wallenrod) Prevots’ contributions to American University, a fund to support guest artists at the school was created in her name. Naima taught at American for 36 years and helped establish the dance program and the performing arts department. After living in Toledo, Ohio, for 30 years, Marilyn Perlmutter moved to Bloomington, Ind. She writes, “I’m involved. I’m active. I’ve made new friends. And the city is beautiful and hilly. Life is good.” She reports she’s found many fascinating ethnic restaurants, and scads of musical events (many of them free) and intellectual opportunities. She edits a newsletter, hosts international students, and travels to operas and recorder workshops around the world. Ira Holzsager writes, “I recently retired after completing 50 gratifying years as track coach at Clarke High School in Westbury, N.Y. I keep seeking knowledge by enrolling in American politics courses at a local university. Although I no longer compete in marathons or triathlons, I still maintain a regular personal-fitness program.”

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