To wrap up Volunteer Month, we're excited to highlight Shoshana Bederman, a DOROT Westchester volunteer!
Shoshana is a volunteer for multiple programs at our DOROT Westchester office who has always had a special place in her heart for older adults: “I am in awe of what [older people] have come through, what they have accomplished.”
A retired attorney who spent many years as a prosecutor for child abuse and neglect cases in the family courts of NYC, in addition to teaching religious classes at one of the Westchester synagogues (WRT), Shoshana says connecting with older people through DOROT has been a family affair. She first watched her mother making visits and helping older people in their community in Israel, and was taught by her that “it’s a mitzvah to engage and listen and help those in their later years, especially when they may be feeling invisible.” Shoshana has passed on this belief along to her children, both who have been engaged with DOROT as volunteers, particularly as part of their B’Mitzvahs.
Since her college days in New York, Shoshana has been a part of DOROT, volunteering for Package Delivery and long-term Friendly Visiting matches. This year, she began volunteering as a host for DOROT Westchester’s game playing program, Tables & Tea. She loves watching the participants interact with one another—telling stories, learning from one another, and sharing their skills: “The icing on the cake is when the young people come [for intergenerational game day].”
Shoshana also volunteers for Aging Alone Together, DOROT's flagship program for solo agers. She says, “the [program] title gripped me and opened my eyes to a whole new community.” She has always known that not everyone has family to help them as they age, and she was excited to be part of something that empowers those older adults as they lean into learning and helping one another.
Whenever she is asked why she volunteers or what she gets out of it, Shoshana says she always shares the same comment with people. “I always get more back than what I give. It opens your mind and restores your faith in people.”