Estelle Klemer - a leader for four generations

Estelle and her two daughters, Lisa Schouler, left, and Carol Sacerdote, right. /ESTELLE KLEMER

There is a word in the Yiddish language that has become commonplace in the secular world – kvell. What does it mean? Kvell means to feel immense pride for something. For Estelle Klemer, her pride is in her family. Her children and grandchildren are all successful businesspeople, with higher education degrees. They are having huge impacts on the business and technology world. She has the blessing of knowing her two great-grandchildren. At 90 years old and a leader in the Rhode Island community, her family has something to kvell about as well.

Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, Klemer grew up in an Orthodox household. She watched as her mother would invite the very observant people who came around into her home, offer them a cup of tea, and then give them a donation. She remarked that her family was not the richest, but they always gave what they could.

“[My mother] felt that God was good to us, that we have to return in the same way.”

Klemer decided to emulate the philanthropic example that her mother modeled for her, and at 19 years old became secretary of New England Hadassah.

After she married and moved to Rhode Island, Klemer continued her philanthropic mission.

“Name every Jewish organization in this city, and I’ve been an officer at some point or another,” she said, only half-joking.

She quickly became involved with Providence’s Temple Emanu-El and became the first woman on the membership committee. She remarked that she was the only woman who the men on the committee would allow on board, because she ran her late husband’s hardware business by herself after he died.

Klemer also helped found the Jewish Seniors Agency and Tamarisk, and was chairwoman of the board of Shalom Apartments. She even became a life officer at The Miriam Hospital and a president of their Women’s Association.

“I always felt that we should all give something to the community,” she said.

After being active in many Jewish groups, Klemer decided to give additional time and effort to the Jewish Alliance (then the Jewish Federation). For at least 20 years, the Alliance has been able to count on Klemer to solicit community members.

“It’s not the easiest thing to do,” she said with a laugh. “I had reached a point when I called and I said ‘this is Estelle Klemer,’ and they would say ‘how much?’ ”

This did not bother Klemer, and even when her schedule became too full, she stayed with the Alliance.

“I always participated in the Annual Appeal … because the money has to come from somewhere, and we all know that,” she said.

Klemer, who lives in Pawtucket, feels strongly about the idea of community. She wants the Rhode Island Jewish community to stay strong and has many ideas about how to accomplish that.

“Invite them for a Shabbat dinner,” said Klemer. “How do you come into a community, and walk through a street and say, ‘Who are you?’ Nobody does that. But when you’re invited to somebody’s home, that’s a real connection.”

“You can understand why I’m a very happy lady. Because God has truly blessed me. So that’s the way life goes on,” Klemer remarked.

Estelle Klemer - role model, Jewish philanthropist, and a reason for her family to kvell.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of three articles about women who are longtime annual campaign volunteers.

HILLARY SCHULMAN is a development associate at the Jewish Alliance.