Did you hear about the factory that makes products which are just “okay”? It’s called the “Satisfactory”. ?
Congratulations to master joke teller Ilene Levine on being selected as Fair Lawn Sunrise Rotarian of the Month! ?
Ilene’s life in Fair Lawn began in June 1965, shortly after she graduated from NYU with a degree in education and married the love of her life, Ira J. Levine. Ilene accepted the position of Spanish Teacher at Fair Lawn High School, where she taught for two years before taking time off to raise her family. Her three sons are Aaron (a chiropractor); Joshua (a lawyer); and Michael (an AP Biology teacher at Glen Rock HS). In 1982, Ilene returned to teaching. In 1985, Ilene earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis in Human Sexuality, from Montclair State University. Ilene retired from teaching in 2006 after 26 years of service to the Fair Lawn School system. Ilene is proud of her family’s strong ties to Fair Lawn. Her husband and son practice law together at the Levine Law Firm in Fair Lawn, and Ira also previously served as borough prosecutor for nearly twenty years. Ilene has seven grandchildren.
For inspiration, Ilene credits her mother Rosalie G. Rose, and her grandmother, Sarah F. Garber. “Both of these strong women were very important role models in my life,” Ilene reflected, “and they were actively involved with many service organizations that required them to put Service Above Self. Sarah was active in her Synagogue and Hadassah. My mom was President of B’nai B’rith and later Chair of Fundraising for the Passaic Chapter of Rotary.”
Ilene joined Fair Lawn Sunrise Rotary in 2013. She’s held a number of offices, including Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretary, and finally President (2016-2017). Asked about her experience in Rotary, Ilene explained, “It means a lot to me to be involved with these extraordinary people who all work together to make a difference in the lives of people who are not as fortunate as we are. We have supported each other also with positive attitudes and with humor as well. Come to a meeting – and maybe hear a joke or two!”