Learning, discourse going strong at Cohen Home

by By John McCurdy, Staff Writer: JMcCurdy@atljewishtimes.com

Thanks to resident Morton Zeman, Thursdays at the Cohen Home may never be the same. Under his leadership, the weekly current events discussion group has become a forum to address and educate on the major topics of today.

Connie Dodge, activities director, asked Zeman if he’d assist in conducting the discussions approximately six months ago. His Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago, past career as an economist and business developer for IBM and personal passion for news and knowledge all made him an excellent candidate.

What she got in return was even more than expected – Zeman prepares for each week like a top-notch college lecturer and engages a turnout that Dodge contends is the largest of any activity at the Home.

“Mort’s whole orientation is toward service of the people that he lives with and the people around him,” she said. “He provides the meat of the discussion, [and] when people have questions, he really researches them and then is able to express answers in terms that people can understand.”

Defying the stereotype for 89-year-olds, Zeman is quite computer literate and uses a variety of web resources as well as print publication The Economist to choose and flesh out each week’s subject matter. He remains humble about his ability to engage others, but the crowds – made up basically of every Cohen Home resident physically able to attend – prove his knack.

“When you hit the right topic, it can be interesting,” Zeman said with a smile. “I try to be knowledgeable about what’s going on – emphasis on the ‘t-r-y.’”

There is never a want for great debate at the group’s meetings, though a couple of examples stick out in Zeman’s mind as very successful conversation-starters.

One home-run was “women in the workforce,” which brought out the differing opinions of the varying age groups represented at the Home – from ages 90-plus to mid-50s. Zeman prints out handouts with fascinating statistics for every discussion, putting the results of his own hard work at the fingertips of the others so that they might too have full perspective.

“He’s just not interested in quitting using his mind to serve his community,” Dodge said with a smile. “What you need, Mort tries to find it.”

Zeman enjoys knowing he’s helped and deservedly receives much praise and appreciation from fellow residents for his efforts, but an additional motivation is the opportunity this role affords him – to “tune” his brain, as he said.

“You can play card games and be interested in it, but it’s limited,” he said, not downplaying another hobby but explaining personal preference. “I find that going into these things and trying to put it together in a sensible way is very interesting and occupies my mind.”

As well as the minds of all lucky enough to participate.