“Barbara’s Bench”

Friends of the late anthropologist-author Barbara Myerhoff—whose Number Our Days, an account of the senior citizen community in Venice CA won wide acclaim—are raising funds to purchase a public bench in her memory for the beachfront site of the Israel Levin Senior Center. Myerhoff died in January, 1985.

Project developer Lauren W. Deutsch said the support of Los Angeles County and the Bay Cities Jewish Community Center, affiliated with the senior center which Myerhoff researched, was easily obtained.

“The bench is a symbol of the vitality of these seniors, their culture and is a durable legacy for the future,” she said. Myerhoff had commented on “bench behavior” in her book, noting its uses as a meeting place, a story-telling site, and a station from which the seniors could be part of the active community.

Tax-deductible contributions and information requests should be sent to BCJCC-Barbara’s Bench, 2601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90404.