Periodically, we will spotlight one of our beloved Regency residents, who continually inspires us all to reach higher, do better and never take our residents for granted.
Today, we’d like to profile long time resident at Regency Jewish Heritage, Marion Pianko!
Marion was born during the depression to parents who had recently immigrated to America. Her father, Jack Burstein, came to America on his own from Poland, and her mother, Anna Gelman Burstein, came to America with her family from the Ukraine. Marion was the oldest of four children, two brothers and a sister. The family spoke Yiddish and Marion did not learn English until she entered Kindergarten. Nonetheless, by elementary school, Marion handled paperwork for her family. Her father became disabled from a heart attack when Marion was in High School, and from then on, Marion’s mother supported the family by taking in boarders. Marion was devoted to her parents throughout their lives.
Although there were many Jews in the area of the Bronx where the family lived, Marion’s family was one of the few that remained Orthodox despite economic and social pressures to assimilate. The family valued Jewish education for both boys and girls. So in addition to public school, Marion attended Hebrew school through high school. She graduated from both City College and a Hebrew Teachers College, with degrees in education. She also earned a Masters degree in education from Trenton State College. Although Marion was certified to teach in New York City public schools, she chose to serve in religious schools.
At 21, Marion married Rabbi Jack Pianko and took on the role of Rebitzen. Their marriage was a true partnership, working together in the synagogue and Hebrew school. They lived and worked in Allentown, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Staten Island. Around 25 years ago, Marion and her husband moved to Edison, NJ to be near their daughter. At that time, Marion was teaching at Neve Shalom in Metuchen. She retired from that position about 10 years ago, shortly before her husband passed away. Marion has four children, Arlene, Lenny, David and Judy, 18 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.
We love you Marion and wish you many more years of health and happiness.
