NEW ROCHELLE, NY — United Hebrew of New Rochelle Board of Directors member Donald Duberstein, one of the longest-serving member of the board with almost four decades of service, assumed a new role as Chair of the Board effective October 29th, announced Rita Mabli, President and CEO of United Hebrew, today. Current Chair, Michael Rozen will serve as Senior Chair, succeeding Malcolm Lazarus, who will become Board Secretary.
“Donald, Malcolm and Michael have been stalwart supporters of United Hebrew for many years, and have played instrumental roles in helping us build an outstanding campus of comprehensive care to serve the region’s aging population,” Ms. Mabli said. “We look forward to their continued support as we continue to add vital services to our 7.5-acre campus, including Willow Gardens Assisted Living for people with Alzheimer’s and other memory issues, and Meadow Lane, which will provide affordable housing for seniors.”
Donald Duberstein
Mr. Duberstein, who joined the board in 1976, called his involvement with United Hebrew “extremely fulfilling” because of its commitment to residents and patients and its extraordinary standards of caregiving. “United Hebrew has one of the lowest rates of staff turnover in New York State,” he said. “We have many people who have been here for 20, 30, or 40 years. That says a lot about an organization.” In fact, he himself follows a long family tradition of service to United Hebrew. His father Wolfe Duberstein was Board Treasurer in the 1950s, and his brother-in-law, George Friedland, served as Board President in the 1970s. Mr. Duberstein also held the position of President from 1999 through 2001, and then served as Vice President until becoming Chairman Elect last year.
Mr. Duberstein is a successful entrepreneur and active private investor. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude in 1973 and New York University Law School in 1976. He is a resident of Purchase, New York.
Michael Rozen
Mr. Rozen, a retired real estate executive and resident of Scarsdale, New York, noted that since he joined the board in 2003 and became Board Chair in 2007, “The way of providing health care has changed tremendously, and we have moved with the times,” he said. “It’s not easily done. But we have a wonderful board, extraordinary people, and we try to keep abreast of all that’s important in the world of caregiving.”
During his time as Chairman, Mr. Rozen saw United Hebrew dramatically expand its services. It launched AZOR Licensed Home Health Care, a certified home health agency; Raven Care Associates, a private geriatric care management service; a secure floor catering to those with memory impairment and palliative and hospice care services. United Hebrew was rebranded; new landscaping and facility renovation created a more harmonious campus “that reflects the good work that United Hebrew does,” Mr. Rozen said.
Malcolm Lazarus
Malcolm Lazarus, a successful business owner who lives in Scarsdale, New York, said he devotes so much time to United Hebrew because, “We’re doing something that is worthwhile. You get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that you are helping people have a great quality of life in their later years, so they can enjoy life as much as possible.”
Mr. Lazarus joined the board in 1982 and has served five times as President, from 1993 through 2007, during which he also served as Chair. He became Senior Chairman in 2007. He is credited with planting the seeds for United Hebrew’s expansion when he formed a Strategic Planning Committee to strengthen the institution in the 1990s.
“Mal has played a role in many giant steps that we have taken,” said Ms. Mabli. “The idea of opening Willow Towers Assisted Living in 2003 sprang from the Strategic Planning Committee. Mal spearheaded the Capital Campaign to build the Skalet Pavilion and renovate the Kramer Pavilion for our long-term care program and short-term Burke Rehabilitation at United Hebrew.”