Mentor Spotlight: Dale Singer

Take a minute to get to know WLI mentor, Dale Singer by reading the Q&A below!

Please share a few of your favorite things you have learned in the class sessions?

The active engagement of presenters, mentees and mentor around the core issues discussed in the class sessions expands my appreciation for the value of being a life time learner for continued growth. Differing perspectives on “not yet” and failures inherent in risk taking, often highlighted by personal narratives, continue to help me develop a broader definition of listening. The curriculum remains consistent with our heritage and it has been fun to witness how young women leaders are maximizing their effectiveness within the greater Jewish community through diverse, meaningful projects.

How have you stayed involved with WLI since your year ended?

Elana has invited me to participate in a variety of ways, including the opportunity to be a mentor in three cohorts, encouragement to participate as a team member and as a solo presenter, and the joy of helping to “cater” the Alumni Retreats.

What is your occupation and have you been able to apply what you learned in WLI to your job?

In reverse chronological order, I established and implemented the End of Life Program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, was a Pediatric Oncologist with a special interest in solid and rare malignancies, Chairperson of the Bioethics Committees at Children’s and Good Samaritan Hospitals, and a general pediatrician caring for chronically ill children and their siblings. The formal curriculums for each aspect of my professional life taught me the value of learning from those wise enough to teach others the skills needed for the tasks at hand. Retirement is as exciting as my professional years with opportunities to participate in a variety of classes and to explore a different concept of time.

Please tell us more about yourself, your family and/or your involvement in the Jewish community.

At our middle granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah, her father [our son] answered a colleague who asked, “How long has your daughter been preparing for her Bat Mitzvah?’ truthfully by saying, “for generations.” My husband, Alan, and I have two grown sons, two daughter-in-laws, five grandchildren. We had the good fortune of being in a lay led equalitarian congregation for sixteen years in Michigan from which we and our sons emerged with the skills and commitment to continue our involvement in our Jewish communities. Alan has been a mohel for 45 years and continues in this role post COVID vaccinations. All three of my men have, or are serving on boards of their synagogues. The grandchildren are active members of their communities, participating, teaching, and enjoying their roles. And, for many years, we have celebrated Seders in our sons’ homes where the grandchildren and I assist as they make the matzo and prepare the meals. We delight in a daughter-in-law’s leading of the Seder.

In your spare time what are some hobbies or activities you like to do? (and/or share some fun facts about yourself)

My passion is my family: nuclear and extended. In retirement, I have enjoyed the flexibility of being available without the constraints of a call schedule. We love hosting and visiting with our sons and their families, including ten years of Camp Savta/Saba in Phoenix, our siblings and spouses, nieces, nephews, cousins. Fortunately, many of our friends, and their children and families, also visit Chez Singer. I love to cook, bake, exercise daily alone or with “walking friends,” read and participate in a reading group, travel, do needlepoint, play Scrabble and Canasta, study Hebrew [for over ten years with Harriet Rosen as partner] and now classical Hebrew grammar, and just stare at the desert horizon appreciating how fortunate I am.