Eleanor Dickman
Cupertino, California
How is your Hero working to make the world a better place?
Federation's "We are One" is not just a slogan for Eleanor, she lives it. She believes firmly in the power of unified community,that nurtures and values each individual and opens wide the doors of welcome. She lives out this belief by wholeheartedly giving of her care and talents to a spectrum of Jewish organizations in the community including, Yavneh Day School, Hillel, the Addison Penzak Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services, Sharone Hadassah, the Community Mikvah, her synagogue, Congregation Beth David, The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and particularly its PJ Library program, for which she does marketing and is, appropriately, Outreach Coordinator. A reader of this "blurb" might think that those are a lot of volunteer efforts over the years, but those are Eleanor's efforts in real time, today. What is phenomenal is that she achieves whatever is asked both professionally and lovingly, asking when each task is done, what's next? What can I do? If you have ever seen a local Jewish organization's newsletter or flyer, a press release or Facebook listing, chances are, Eleanor had something to do with it, either in contributing ideas or articles or creating the entire thing. She does this while taking grandchildren to dance, walking her dog, Keffie, in the park and sharing good times and Shabbat dinner with her husband, Lloyd and beloved friends. Eleanor lives Mitzvah. Her hope is to help build and maintain a Jewish community in which people love to be involved and seek to experience more fully.
How has your Hero impacted your life and inspired you?
I am a Rabbi and Federation Professional, committed to Jewish life and community. However, as a longtime "Jewish professional," I forget what it was like as a caring volunteer. Eleanor reminds me how much Judaism matters, not because "Jewish" is her job, but because she cares deeply about the Jewish present and future. She is thirsty for Jewish learning and life. Her enthusiasm renews my fervor. Eleanor also reminds me that people can be passionately Jewish in very different ways. I am grateful for her openness, dedication and optimism. I am the Rabbi, but I learn from her.