by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth

October 7, 2008

Ruth Hyman will receive the Philanthropist of the Year award from Generations ElderCare Charity. The Long Branch resident is a supporter of the organization, which was founded in June and plans to provide senior citizens with medical equipment denied under their health insurance.

The award will be presented on Monday, Nov. 10, at C.J. Montana’s Pub and Grille in Tinton Falls.

“Ruth’s generous donation will help us fulfill our mission,” said Meryl Markowitz of Wayside, vice president of the Ocean Township-based Generations ElderCare Charity. “We want to assist senior citizens who are coping with the financial impact of coming home from a hospital, inpatient rehabilitation center, or nursing home and are faced with the cost of expensive medical equipment.

“Ruth understands our purpose and responded to our appeal.”

The organization is establishing an outreach process to hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities to advise them of their services and also has begun to collect donated items that will make their way to senior citizens who need the equipment.

‘It reflects the pride I feel in being a member of the Jewish community.’

The eldercare project, which will help members of the Jewish and general communities, was the brainstorm of Markowitz’s daughter, Sara, 13, who wanted to perform some type of community service. It was Sara’s involvement that drew Hyman’s interest.

“The very fact that a 13-year-old child has developed a passion to pursue a significant project like this was why I added this to my list of mitzvos,” said Hyman. “She understands the meaning of tikun olam, and that’s why I have added this organization to the many worthwhile causes to which I have chosen to make contributions.”

Hyman, who is active in a wide array of local and national Jewish causes, was named in August mentor emeritus of the newly merged Deal/Shore/Long Branch chapter of Hadassah. She has been president of the Long Branch chapter for the past 36 years.

In June, she received the Kesser Shem Tov (Crown of a Good Name) award from the Chabad House at Rutgers University. Four hundred people, including Gov. Jon Corzine, attended the event at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.

Parental inspiration

Another source of pride for Hyman is the JCC of Greater Monmouth County in Deal — the building bears her name.

“It reflects the pride I feel in being a member of the Jewish community,” she said of the naming.

Hyman also has made numerous visits to Israel to visit family members who live in various parts of the country, and she is a major donor to Israel’s Hadassah Hospital.

The concepts of tzedaka and tikun olam are the driving forces of her philosophy, Hyman said. She credits her parents, David and Ida Hyman, for teaching her about the value of the Jewish tradition of making the world a better place.

“Every day, they taught me about the teachings of the Torah and the importance of tzedaka and tikun olam,” said Hyman. “They inspired me from day one, and their teachings and wisdom have guided me throughout my life.”

They also taught her about the value of friendship, and Hyman made many friends during the 30 years she worked at Fort Monmouth in a variety of supervisory capacities, and during the five decades she owned and operated Ruth Hyman Fashions, a women’s specialty shop in Long Branch and Ocean Township, from which she retired in 1998.

“My customers became my near and dear friends,” Hyman said. “Throughout my life, I’ve cultivated friends wherever I go. My parents taught me that joy and happiness come from friendship, kindness, and generosity, and they were right.”

And to those friends and others members of the community, Hyman sends a New Year message: “As we approach the year 5769, I pray for good health for our families, for peace in our country, for the people of Israel and all over the world. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Shana Tova, a happy New Year.”

Information about Generations ElderCare is available at www.geneldercare.com.

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