JOYCE FREEDMAN has been seen as a Greeter at PPJC. She grew up in West New York,
New Jersey and graduated from Memorial High School in West New York in 1946 and attended Panzer College for one year majoring in physical education. She went to work in her father’s embroidery shop as a shuttler and watcher until she married Arnie in 1949.
They had their first child in 1950 while living in New Jersey. Their daughter was born in 1952
and their youngest child was born in 1958. The children grew up in an extended family because they had both sets of grandparents living under one roof in a two family house in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Arnie and Joyce were very active in Temple Israel, with Arnie serving as president for quite a while.
Joyce says that her first real job was at Ellen Tracy’s as an assistant trimmings buyer.
Eventually, she wound up at Pyramid Belts, located in the garment district in New York City where she became the purchasing agent. Pyramid Belts was one of the largest belt manufacturing companies in the United States. She worked there until she retired in February, 1986.
The Freedmans moved to Century Village in Pembroke Pines, Florida and immediately joined the Village Reform Congregation. At that time, services were being held in the Charter School on Pembroke Road before moving into Century Village.
After moving into Century Village, they played tennis at least three times a week and met some very friendly people. Joyce became president of the Tennis Club in 1990 and ran a women’s travel team. They were very involved with other social activities and went on several cruises with friends and family. They felt very fortunate to have two of their three children living nearby and could spend much time with their grandchildren.
Years ago, one of Joyce’s sons-in-law belonged to Congregation Samuel Or Olom in South Dade where Rabbi David Schonblum was the Rabbi. Rabbi Schonblum named two of her great-grandchildren at their Brises.
Joyce says, “It’s a small world.” She is currently active in one of the social clubs in Century Village and is on