Paths We Cross

For some people, retirement means plenty of time to relax and pursue leisurely activities. For others, using some of this time to make meaningful contributions to their community can yield extraordinary results and friendships. Before their paths crossed in retirement, Noam Eimer and Bruce Satalof spent a combined 113 years applying practical, social, and educational skills to careers, family, and friends in their diverse lives. In 2007, they embarked on a collaborative journey in a volunteer program in the Philadelphia area that would be both endearing and enduring beyond all expectations. Noam and Bruce came from different places and times: one from Israel in the early 1940's; the other from Philadelphia in the mid 1950's. Noam was an Israeli soldier in his teens; Bruce played street hockey until he was almost twenty and softball into his thirties. Along the way, they would experience many historical events (protests, wars, assassinations) through very disparate lenses, but the core values they did share - strong family bonds, keen work ethic, desire to help those less fortunate - would serve them greatly as a team. The Paths We Cross takes readers on a journey from the authors' modest beginnings to great accomplishment and may provide inspiration for those struggling with plans for "e;life after retirement."e;