Typist, Now 100, Honored By Freehold Township On Birthday

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Freehold Township resident Dorothy Sourifman, now age 100, has lived through many technological advances, and the former typist played her part in one of them, say the managers of the Jewish Home here.

Sourifman, a resident of The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation & Nursing, was the first employee at Western Electric, a Bell System company, to use an electric typewriter, they say.

Sourifman worked as a secretary for 15 years at Western Electric, and during that time, she went to night school, learning shorthand and typing.

The life-long New Jerseyan celebrated her 100th birthday this month, with family and staff of the Freehold skilled nursing facility. Committee Member Lester Preston presented Sourifman with a Freehold Township proclamation.

“What fun to celebrate with Dorothy and her family!” said Randi Rae Treibitz, the facility’s director of life enrichment. “We are so glad Dorothy is with us here at the Jewish Home. She is a special part of our community.”

Born at home in 1922 in Linden to parents who emigrated from Russia, Sourifman is one of six brothers and sisters within their close-knit family. She married William Sourifman, nicknamed “Babe” after Babe Ruth because of his love of the game.

The couple raised three children – Steven, Howard and Marcy – in Roselle and Linden, and Sourifman is now a grandmother to two granddaughters, Skylar and Ashley.

The centenarian is known for her smarts and work ethic and was a quick study from her earliest days, graduating high school at age 16 and speaking numerous languages, representatives of the Jewish Home said. After high school, she first worked as a cookie baker for Burry Biscuit in North Elizabeth, the home said.

Sourifman’s "passion for life, learning - and fun - is evident in all she has accomplished," the Jewish Home said.

The Jewish Home, located at 1151 W. Main St., provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. The 150-bed skilled nursing facility also includes a synagogue on premises, provides focused Jewish programming and offers OU certified Glatt Kosher cuisine.