Men Still at Work: Professionals Over Sixty and on the Job by Elizabeth F. Fideler Read Free Book Online

Protestants, and Buddhists who quickly became kindred spirits. He also met, while living at the farm, a young rabbi who rekindled Jim’s interest in his Jewish heritage—he’s descended from a long line of rabbis and cantors in Poland and Russia. The rabbi coached Jim in the oral tradition and taught him to lead religious services.
    Although Jim was not ordained, he became a “Sh’liach Tzibur” or “Messenger of the People,” the spiritual leader of synagogues in Athol, Massachusetts, and Brattleboro, Vermont, for the next twenty years. This was in addition to his government work and, beginning in 1994, a long stint teaching nutrition policy and planning at Tufts University. Dubbed the “Activist Academic” in a laudatory article in the spring 2007 magazine of Tufts’ Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Jim expanded the reach and effectiveness of the nutrition program by securing internships for students and introducing a PhD seminar. In the article a former student commented that he was known to teach more than international nutrition, monitoring, and evaluation; his true subjects, she said, were peace and goodwill.
    Jim expected to continue in the Sh’liach Tzibur role after retirement. However, when contract renewal time rolled around in 2009, Jim’s nonconformist attitude didn’t sit well with some members of the synagogue board. They objected to several things: the amount of time he spent on interfaith activities, such as organizing Jewish-Muslim interfaith services; his willingness to officiate at weddings and funerals and do pastoral counseling for people who were not paid members of the congregation; and his questioning of Israeli government policies.
    No longer leading a congregation, Jim continues to officiate at weddings with his wife, is actively involved in Brattleboro’s Interfaith Initiative, and participates in leading Jewish High Holiday services in Athol. He and Louise are members of a spiritual group of a few families that meets regularly for deep sharing. They plan to participate in a new, collaboratively designed interfaith evening service at the old Marlboro Meetinghouse (established 1776) just down the road from their house.
    Jim told me that the most satisfying aspect of his core work is seeing what his nutrition strategy efforts accomplish in countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, as he gets older he finds that his energy level isn’t what it used to be. Getting up early and staying up late to meet a writing deadline are taxing. Whenever he can afford to step back from the consulting work—right now he is paying for weddings and home improvements—he would like to concentrate on what most nourishes body and soul and sustains the richness and fullness of life. Family, friends, spirituality, and music head the list.
    Although Jim recently admitted failure in a valiant effort to learn ice skating, he has other projects up his sleeve and possibly a book or two in the years ahead. Additionally, he is committed to helping with his son’s project, Calcutta Kids, seeking to improve the health of mothers and young children in India’s slums. But Jim also is fascinated by a Hindu teaching about stages of life that has, as its penultimate stage, that of “forest dweller,” meaning a gradual withdrawal into nature and contemplation. He and Louise already have their dream house in the woods; they just need more time for the contemplation.

    Role models and mentors were also very important to oncologist Bruce Chabner, director of clinical research at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Cancer Center in Boston. Early career influences started with his dad, a physician, and continued in the laboratories of top cancer researchers. Today a highly respected leader in his field at seventy-two, he considers it part of his job to mentor younger staff members and share his excitement over breakthroughs in cancer research.

    Profile: Bruce A. Chabner
    Bruce’s roots run deep in