Giving Back
Part of our Family DNA
(L-R) Michael and Shari Perlmuter; Eileen and Bob (z”l) Sill; Lexi Perlmuter, Brittany Perlmuter; and Scott Sill
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hari Perlmuter remembers her parents Eileen and Bob (z”l) Sill coming home and telling her and her brother Scott stories about their Jewish community involvement. Whether it was an international trip with World ORT where they met with presidents and other world leaders, or an evening event in Cleveland, they would always look forward to their parents sharing with them what they learned. Shari recalls, “My parents never instructed us about tzedakah. It was more just a part of our family life. We would ask them questions, and they would answer.” Scott’s memories of charitable giving as a kid were positive and fun – their family would host an annual summer carnival in their backyard to raise money for muscular dystrophy, and he also
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remembers giving money to Keren Ami at Fairmount Temple and buying trees to be planted in Israel to make the desert green. Eileen and Bob were also involved at Menorah Park, Israel Bonds, American Jewish Committee, ORT, Fairmont Temple and many other charities. Shari explained, “We were raised in a household where the most important thing was to help others that are less fortunate. As kids we saw our parents doing this all the time. Giving back was part of our family DNA.” Eileen raised her children in the same way she grew up. She remembers her parents were also philanthropic and active volunteers at Menorah Park and ORT. She recalls going to Jewish Welfare dinners as a child. And once she married Bob, tzedakah and
