Jewish Family Service’s volunteer of the month

Lilliane Birch is lauded

PROVIDENCE – As Lilliane Birch spoke to a group of spellbound seniors at the Kosher Café at Temple Am David about her parents’ experiences during the Holocaust, she told of the longstanding tradition of the act of tzedakah (giving back to the community) that she learned from her family.

Lilliane, of Pawtucket, exemplifies this tradition: She not only volunteers for the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of Providence, but she also contributes her time and energy to Families First – as a mentor for new moms. She also delivers kosher Meals-on-Wheels to homebound Jewish seniors in Providence.

After retiring four years ago from teaching, Lilliane found she had more time to contribute. She immersed herself in volunteering with agencies that she had been involved with previously, in addition to finding other organizations that needed volunteers.

Humbled by being named Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island’s volunteer of the month, Lilliane said,  “I’m sure there are others more deserving than me.” Those words demonstrate that Lilliane’s volunteering comes from the heart.

We are honored to name Lilliane Birch as Jewish Family Service’s volunteer of the month for September 2013.

Patricia Harwood, LICSW, (patty@jfsri.org) is director of older adult resources at Jewish Family Service in Rhode Island.