Founding Shalom
Shalom Residences Inc. was started by a group of parents who all had children with a developmental disablity. This group of parents did not want their children to grow up and live in an institution. It was Ernie and Thelma Bronstein who, after a visit to the Reena Foundation Group Home, had the vision to start a Judaic oriented communal home. Shalom incorporated in 1978 and opened their first residence in October, 1980.
Founding Families
Shalom was founded by six couples. Ernie & Thelma Bronstein, Frank & Sybil Steele, Rick & Min Fromkin, Larry & Roberta Hurtig, Zivey & Dolly Chudnow, and Bobby & Elaine Paul.
The Shalom Homes
As stated above Shalom opened their first home October, 1980, this was home to eight residents. Two years later, Faye-Parks Micay generously donated her family home as Shalom Residences' second home. In 1988, Shalom opened their third home and in 1997, their fourth. Also in 1997 an original resident from the first home moved out into his own apartment, thus started Shalom's Supported Independent Living Program. In 1998, Shalom opened a fifth house. The most recent activity has been the opening of our sixth house in 2005.
-Harriet Cipilinski