Both Barbara and Lewis Leeson grew up in homes where parents were committed to the Jewish values of tzedakah and tikkun olam and set an example of charitable giving and volunteer service that have guided them throughout their lives.

The Leesons, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year, have been giving to UJA for about 40 years – to MetroWest UJA for the last 31 years.

"Giving financially and volunteering are just part of the fruit of our lives," said Barbara Leeson. "We both come from homes where parents established the values of tzedaka and tikkun olam. As young children, we both enjoyed the regular appearance of a Yiddish-speaking collector for charity, with the traditional long black coat, hat, beard, and peyes. My parents volunteered for a variety of organizations, in both the Jewish and secular communities. My father was a founder of the synagogue I grew up in and especially active in veterans' organizations – the JWV [Jewish War Veterans] and American Legion. My mother, to her dying day at 92, was an officer of her Hadassah chapter and of her synagogue's Sisterhood."

She noted that Lew's mother was also an active volunteer into her old age. And Lew, when he was a young boy, during World War II, accompanied his father, a volunteer plane spotter, to Garrett Mountain to watch for enemy aircraft. As a young adult, he too became an active member of JWV. In college, he led a drive to collect funds for a minority student in need of critical health care.

Barbara, a social worker, and Lew, a pharmaceutical chemist, have always given part of their income to a variety of charities and engaged in direct service volunteerism. She has been especially active with National Council of Jewish Women and tutoring programs. Describing themselves as modest givers, who are now semi-retired, Barbara said that giving and volunteering have always been "part of our life, like buying food or paying rent." They are transmitting their values to their three adult children and grandchild.

"As teenagers our children volunteered regularly for the JCC teen hot line, SCEEP [Suburban Cultural Educational Enrichment Program], and Daughters of Israel," said Barbara. "Throughout their lives, they have always advocated and contributed to causes valuable to us and to our people."

Together, Barbara and Lew have participated in demonstrations in Washington, D.C., worked on a project for the homeless, and aided in the resettlement of Asian and Russian immigrants, in programs sponsored by United Jewish Federation of MetroWest (now United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ) and an interfaith network.

About ten years ago, the Leesons started a new Hanukkah tradition in their family. On Thanksgiving, when they're all together, they have a grab bag of gifts, with a dollar limit of $25. The major part of their holiday giving is a family donation to a charity. Each person writes down a charity they'd like to give to and then one is drawn for the gift.

In November, Barbara and Lew were surprised and delighted when their son, who recently relocated, dedicated a brick for his parents at the synagogue with which he is affiliated.
 
For the Leeson family, the traditions of tzedakah and tikkun olam are indeed being passed on from generation to generation.

If you, like Barbara and Lewis Leeson, have given to UJA for 25 years or more, the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest would like to recognize you as a Ner Tamid Achiever, with a listing on the Ner Tamid honor roll and invitations to special events. If you are already a Ner Tamid Achiever, JCF encourages you to share your thoughts and feelings about UJA at .