STILL COMPETITNG AND MEDALING — Dr. Alan Poisner has had a big year. He turned 80, he married Sharon Lowenstein Shoham, and moved into a new age division in racing competitions. So far this year he has earned gold medals at the USATF National Masters Indoor Championships in North Carolina in March, the National Senior Games Association biannual meet in St. Paul, Minnesota, in July, and the USATF National Master Outdoor Championships in Jacksonville, Florida, just last week. Dr. Poisner broke the 25-year-old record in the 1,500-meter walk in St. Paul and was the second fastest of all time in the 5K for the 80-84 division at the same meet. In Jacksonville, he was the oldest competitor in the 10,000-meter race and “came in ahead of three younger walkers who finished and six elite walkers who were disqualified by rigorous judging. This was a true endurance race that took over 1 hour for most walkers.” This is the 30th year of Dr. Poisner’s race-walking career and his 20th as president of the Heartland Racewalkers.
GROUND BLESSING SCHEDULED — Mitzvah House, a Habitat for Humanity House being built by folks who are members of a variety of Jewish community organizations, is preparing to get started on its very first house. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}It has scheduled a ground blessing for 1 p.m. on Aug. 9. A group of dedicated volunteers, led by Barry Kaseff, has been raising money for quite some time to get this project “off the ground” so to speak. Stay tuned for more information soon about the effort and how you can volunteer. But if you can’t wait to read the article, or you would like to attend the Aug. 9 ceremony, contact Kaseff at .
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE TO ISSUE PAUL NEWMAN FOREVER STAMP — The U.S. Postal Service announced recently that award-winning actor and philanthropist Paul Newman will be honored on a Forever Stamp. The stamp will go on sale Sept. 18.
The stamp art features photographer Steve Schapiro’s 1980 photograph of Newman accompanied by text that reads “Actor/Philanthropist.” The photo credit is Paul Newman photo/© Steve Schapiro/Corbis. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.
With his blue eyes and on-screen charisma, Newman enthralled American moviegoers for six decades. Over the course of his decorated movie career, he received 10 Academy Award nominations, including eight for best actor. He won an Oscar for his role in the 1986 film “The Color of Money.” At the Oscars in 1994, Newman was presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Newman stayed active in the arts and also embraced his many passions, particularly auto racing, which he took up in his 40s. Each year the number on his race car was changed to match his age. The last car he raced was number 82. He also served as the president of the board of the famed Actors Studio, which he helped support financially.
More than just a film icon, Newman used his success as an actor, writer, producer and director to advance his philanthropic endeavors funding charitable causes in an effort to make the world a better place.
Newman’s SeriousFun Children’s Network has helped more than 600,000 children and families in the United States and beyond. Perhaps Newman’s boldest action on the philanthropic stage came in 1982, when he founded the Newman’s Own food company. Beginning simply with a single product of oil-and-vinegar salad dressing and a commitment to quality and charitable giving over profit, the company has since grown into an international business with more than 200 products. Along the way, Newman’s Own has donated more than $430 million to thousands of charities.
In 1998, Newman helped create the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, an organization composed of board chairs and CEOs of major corporations that focuses on corporate philanthropy and citizenship. In 2006, he co-founded the Safe Water Network, which provides market-based safe water solutions to people in the developing world.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Remembering Theodor Bikel — By now fans of Jewish theater have heard the news that Theodore Bikel, an actor and folk singer who was recognized in 1997 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture, died Tuesday, July 21, at 91. Bikel won fame playing Tevye in ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ doing more performances of the role than any other actor. He was here at the Jewish Arts Festival in 1999 and took the time to take this photo with Josh Goteiner (center) and Alex Bigus. Tevye was not Bikel’s only Jewish role. In 2007 he was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for outstanding solo performance in ‘Sholom Aleichem: Laughter Through Tears.’ And in 2014, Bikel produced and starred in the documentary ‘Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem.’ He died of natural cause according to the Hollywood Reporter.{/mprestriction}
