For more than 60 years, The Legacy Senior Communities has provided exceptional services for Jewish seniors and their families, and the nonprofit organization is dedicated to recognizing others who make it their life’s mission to do the same. The Legacy Senior Communities pays tribute to remarkable individuals who positively impact the community through its Carmen Miller Michael Legacy Senior Communities Award.
This year, at the Yes! Event fundraiser on May 5th, The Legacy Senior Communities will present the award to Buddy Rosenthal, a resident of The Legacy Willow Bend and an individual with a lifelong commitment to helping Jewish seniors. Rosenthal, like Carmen Miller Michael, works to address the needs of Texans dealing with aging, mental health and/or cognitive challenges. Rosenthal was selected by a committee chaired by Madeline Unterberg and including Adlene Harrison, Shirley Tobolowsky, Julie Lowenberg and Hanne Klein.
“I believe that Buddy has been a help to so many,” said Harrison. “He has always taken an active role within The Legacy Senior Communities, and is a very selfless man who is willing to help anyone. There’s no one else I know quite like Buddy Rosenthal, he is the kind of person you can really depend on. Carmen was one of my greatest friends, and in many ways I can see the qualities that made her so wonderful in Buddy. I am absolutely thrilled that he is receiving the award and I know Carmen would have been just as excited.”
“We wanted to acknowledge someone who is a visionary with a pioneering spirit,” said Unterberg. “Buddy embodies all of the criteria for the award and has a truly unshakable sense of justice and compassion for others.”
Rosenthal served as chair for the Dallas Home for the Jewish Aged, Golden Acres, from 1988-1990, and, in fact, Buddy is still an active board member for The Legacy Senior Communities. Rosenthal has been serving the Legacy Senior Communities in some capacity since the age of 25, when he held the title of junior board member. In addition, Rosenthal previously served as the president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and president of Temple Emanu-el Dallas. Rosenthal was also a founding director of CHAI, Community Home for Adults.
“When they first asked me if I would accept the award I said I was too old,” said Rosenthal. “At 85, I thought it might be a little silly for me to still be accepting awards, but when they told me the award was in honor of Carmen there was no way that I could refuse. I had the privilege to know Carmen and to see all of the wonderful things she did and was involved in, and to be recognized as having similar qualities is an honor.”
The Carmen Miller Michael Legacy Senior Communities Award was created to pay tribute to special qualities Michael possessed: a pioneering spirit and an unshakeable sense of justice and compassion. Michael was a visionary who helped and gave hope to individuals facing difficult challenges. She was a major force for advancing an improved quality of life for people dealing with aging, mental illness and cognitive challenges.
“Buddy is a true example of an individual who cares for seniors and strives to make a difference in their lives,” said Andrea Statman, director of development for The Legacy Senior Communities. “We are proud to name him as the recipient of the Carmen Miller Michael Legacy Senior Communities Award. Just like Dr. Michael, Buddy strives to find solutions and improve the lives of those in need. He inspires all of us who dedicate ourselves to bettering the lives of seniors in North Texas.”
“Receiving this award is truly an honor for me and my family,” said Rosenthal. “My wife Rita has always been beside me and has encouraged me in all of my endeavors. I am truly blessed by her and our family. It means so much knowing that I am able to represent Carmen and all that she stood for, and I know that she would be proud to see her legacy carried on.”
Rosenthal will receive the award at the Yes! Event fundraising luncheon with special guest speaker Lesley Stahl at the Omni Dallas Hotel on May 5th, at 12 p.m. This year’s event will benefit The Legacy Senior Communities Resident Financial Assistance Fund, which provides charitable support for residents who rely on The Legacy Senior Communities for the cost of their daily care and for the extra services that enrich their lives.
A single ticket for the event is $200. Various sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about the Yes! Event brunch and sponsorship opportunities, visit The Legacy Senior Communities Yes! Event page: http://www.theyesevent.com/
Members of the public can also contact Shelley Hill, Associate Director of Development, at 972-468-6162 with specific questions, or email her at shill@TheLegacySC.org.