Memories of the Ruth and Alex Sherman reside deep within my childhood. I understand from pictures on Naomi's memorial that they attended NS dance camp in 1967, when our family first attended, as it was in our home town. My parents Bep and Bert visited New York as a couple around 1970 and brought us kids the next year.
The video shows a few vignettes of Ruth and Alex dancing at Crystal Cliffs and some of us walking in New York.
Ruth had a light touch with children, making gentle jokes. " Tommy, this is an elephant repelling candle." Really? "Yeah, have you seen any elephants around here? It works!"
We stayed at the Sherman's house when visiting, I remember barbequed hamburgers so thick that my jaw hinge hurt trying to get a bite. Cartoons starting very early in the morning. A great view that Ruth pointed out to me which was somewhat obscured by summer haze as New York was warmer, more humid than home. It was a lively house, with both parents able to hold their own opinions and express them volubly.
We visited again in 1976 when David helped me buy my hearts desire at the time, a unicycle. Thank-you David. It was a source of great fun for years. I only learned to ride it properly after watching Jimmy Bish ride his in Kitchener a couple of weeks later. The trick turned out to be turn it with each pedal down stroke rather than try to go straight.
I last saw Ruthie and Alex at their condo on the Hudson River in 1998. It had a great view too. I was on a business trip, and felt compelled to visit the Lashers and the Shermans, being close by.
All in all, Ruth lived a life to proud of, with a great family, many friends, and enjoyment in her acitivities and relationships. The pleasure was all ours.

When I first met Ruth 35 years ago at ECRS, she quickly won me over with her kind eyes and warm smile. Soon after, I discovered we had much in common.Just like my mother, Ruth fled Vienna from Nazi terror at a young age.We also both valued left-wing politics, loved folk dancing and folk music, and identified as progressive Jews.

Early on, Ruth encouraged me to join the ECRS Board, saying “They need someone like you, and you’d be good for it.”I demurred because I didn’t feel ready for it and thought it wouldn’t be a good fit for my interests and strengths. I felt honored, though, that Ruth thought so highly of me at a time that my self-confidence was a bit shaky.

Over the years my admiration for Ruth grew, as I observed her leadership administering events and teaching classes, such as folkdance, singing, and informal dramatics. Particularly, I noticed her ability to combine competence, sensitivity and fun, and I remembered saying to myself, “That’s the kind of leader I want to be.”

Fortunately, the opportunity to become that kind of leader eventually came, and Ruth initiated it.She requested in Echoes (ECRS newsletter) that anyone wanting to teach creative writing should contact her.I jumped at the chance, remembering my dormant passion for writing, and soon called her.

For several years afterward, at various free-time slots and an eventual trial class, I offered writing experiences.All the while, Ruth gave me valuable, supportive feedback, helping me to develop the skills and confidence that led up to teaching my first four-day class at Summer School.All this preparation more than paid off when the class participants gave me rave reviews.

Bolstered by my success made possible by Ruth, I went on to teach a long string of classes for the next 15 years with topics ranging from memory and creativity to diversity and the Beatles.In addition, the personal and professional development facilitated by Ruth, allowed me to evolve from teaching young children to a more fulfilling career teaching English to immigrants at a Community College.

Given my high regard for Ruth, she became my choice for helping to celebrate my wedding. Before the event, Alex and Ruth gave Donna (my wife) and me invaluable suggestions to enhance both our ceremony and celebration.During the festivities, Ruth led our guests in spirited folk dancing which created a feeling of connection and enjoyment rarely experienced at these occasions.

A number of years after the wedding, when ECRS faced some difficult challenges, I stepped up to co-lead (with Donna) a major reform project known as the Future Planning Committee.Ruth rejoiced when she learned of my new position, reminding me that she always wanted me to take on a leadership role in ECRS, and now if finally happened!With enthusiasm, she joined the committee, and we worked side-by-side for several years to design an exciting new plan for change.

As Ruth aged, I was glad to visit her several times at a Westchester assisted living facility, glad to have written and performed a tribute song at one of her milestone occasions, and glad to have written a letter of appreciation several weeks before her passing.



Although I’ll miss her dearly, I’ll always remember how much Ruth meant to me.I’ll remember how she enabled me to realize my potential because she believed in me and supported my striving toward growth. I’ll remember her wise, compassionate and joyful leadership, presenting me with a role-model toward which I continue to aspire. And, perhaps most of all, I’ll remember a very special human being whose friendship I was fortunate to have.

Ruth was in my life for more than 50 years, first as my school psychology mentor, then a colleague. co-groupie in a support group and as an enduring loving friend. Ruth taught me more than I can articulate. Her intelligence, worldliness, generosity and loving kindness defined her. She was a loyal friend. Her love for Alex, David and Ed was palpable. I miss you Ruth but will always hold you in my heart and memories. Forever, Clare Rose 

Ruth Sherman had such an impact on my life. I am a better human for knowing her. Thank you Ruth, for all your wisdom, your songs, your dances, and your love. 

Not really a story, but...
When I think of Ruth, I immediately feel warmth.  Always ready to listen intensely, laugh readily, love quickly.  She was full of curiosity and loved life to it's fullest.

I remember fondly our times at NS dance camp, and trips to Hillie's in Maine, and our family trip to New York(1972 I believe?).  the last time I saw Alex and Ruth was in September of 2010 , and I am so glad I made that trip with my parents.Any time spent with the Sherman's was always entertaining. beautiful!.

I enjoyed Ruth's enthusiasm for everything!

Many many  years ago I  worked as an art director at JCC camp in Maine. I was  one of  only a few  non Jews there  but was sincerely interested in  learning about the culture that was so important to this camp.  I was pretty good at learning the  prayers ( totally phonetically ) in Hebrew  and  I tried my best at  dancing- but always seemed to trip over myself and  became totally embarrassed when I  confounded everyone else with my ineptitude   I  did,  however, become quite enamored of  Shabbat candle lighting -and at the end of the summer the  counselors who I grew to call my friends,  presented me with a  menorah. It   wasn't lost   on me that each of the candles was held by a person dancing .
A few summers later, I was introduced to  ECRS and  met Ruth and Alex. I was drawn to their warmth and  they were  very kind in mentoring my leadership  but I was  scared to death of dancing  -remembering how I caused others to trip over themselves with my   two left feet.
But event after event,  Ruth would pass me in the circle with an extended hand to join in a dance and gradually I got up the nerve to try.  She would consistently  invite me to the circle or ask me  to be her partner and slowly I  rose to the dance floor .I  eventually learned to love dancing  and even got so  I could teach  a simple dance or two . 
Today  as I looked at pictures of  Ruth in her new digs in  Maine,  I gasped and shed a tear to see that the menorah,which  I  had  passed on to Ruth,  had made its way back to Maine  and   was among  one of the treasured possession she brought with her. Thank you Ruth------ Truly Because of you- I DANCE!

I've known Ruth every since I can remember (60+ years).  She was a part of my childhood and every phase of my life since.  When she was studying to be a school psychologist, she had to practice giving IQ tests to children and my Mom volunteered me. I knew my Mom really wanted me to do well so I was a bit nervous when she delivered me to Ruth's kitchen table to be tested all alone and Ruth start acting "official".  One of the first questions on the test was to say what the word "orange' meant.  I totally froze. What was the right answer? The fruit?  The color?  I was sure it was a trick question.  Ruth sensed my stress right away and calmed me down.  Of course it wasn't a trick question.  Ruth didn't ask trick questions.  Not ever. When you talked to Ruth she always made you feel special. I will miss talking to her and seeing her smile and the sparkle in her eyes.  And I treasure the decades of memories of the many big and small events we shared.  

Having Ruth as my mother-in-law is a gift.  In the 20+ years that I've known her, and well before she legally became my mother-in-law, I have only felt totally accepted and loved. 
She never expected that her son would marry a former Catholic priest, but she more than took it in stride!  We shared a deep love of classical music and travel.  We had many wonderful trips together; Ruth was such a good traveler.  I became part of the ECRS family, of which she was such a leader; even getting me to enjoy folk dance.  
I am forever grateful for being part of the Sherman family.  Thank you, Ruth.