Mervyn and Marlene Hollander will be honored by B'nai B'rith as the 2009 "Guardians of the Menorah" at a Tribute Banquet at 6:30 p.m. today at Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way, Youngstown. The Guardian of the Menorah Tribute is presented to outstanding members of the community who have demonstrated, through service and commitment, their devotion to the causes of youth and the Jewish and general community.
Mervyn and Marlene are both graduates of Youngstown State University and married in 1964 in Pittsburgh.
While he worked in the family business, Marlene taught at E.J. Blott Elementary School and the Jewish Community Center Pre-School.
In 1987, the couple left the area to learn the window business in Toledo, after which they returned to Youngstown and opened a new family business, WeatherTite Windows.
Years ago, after touring Tods Children's Hospital and seeing the work being done there, they immediately began raising money for the hospital. They also are strong supporters of the Rich Center for Autism, sponsoring an annual picnic each July and a holiday party in December. The Hollanders also are supporters of the Children's Center for Science & Technology (formerly the Children's Museum) and numerous other causes.
Living past recipients of the Guardian of the Menorah are Aaron Grossman, former state Sen. Harry Meshel, Atty. James L. Pazol, Samuel A. Roth, Bert Tamarkin, Florence Harshman, Dr. William Lippy, Terry Roth, Sam D. Roth, Paul Schwebel, Bruce Sherman, Gerald Peskin, Louis R. Epstein, William Vegh, Irving Lev, Dr. Saul Friedman, Sam Kooperman, Myra Benedikt, Susan Sokolov, Bruce Lev, Anita Shapiro, Dr. Richard Shapiro and Suzyn Schwebel Epstein.
The Hollanders have three children, Eric, Adam and Robyn, and five grandchildren.