Anita Berkowitz was born September 12, 1907 in St. Joseph, Missouri.She attended college at the University of Illinois where she received her bachelor's degree and master's degree in Spanish and Education.It was during her time at the University of Illinois that Hillel, the Jewish organization for college-aged students, got started on campus (1928). Anita became an active member, and through this organization, she met her husband, Abraham Berkowitz.She and her husband lived in Mattoon, IL for 29 years where he was a purveyor of bananas for the United Fruit Company.There she gave birth to two sons, Nathaniel and Edward, both of whom are residents of California. Nathaniel graduated from Harvard University and the London School of Economics and has traveled all over the world.He is currently a business consultant and realtor.Edward graduated from Dartmouth College and received a doctorate in theoretical nuclear physics.He is now an attorney specializing in patent law. After liquidating their banana business in 1954, Anita and her husband moved to Kansas City to be closer to Anita's mother (1958).Anita taught high school Spanish for 21 years at Southwest High School and Southeast High School, retiring in 1979.After her husband passed away in 1961, she also occupied her time by volunteering at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art where she worked in the Office of Information for 21 years. Anita is the proud grandmother of four very successful grandchildren.Besides working, her grandson, Zachary, is the current world champion sailor of 14-foot boats.He will attempt to defend his championship this fall in Japan.Her grandson, Ethan, followed in his father's footsteps and graduated from Harvard University. He became a criminal lawyer and is currently the minority leader of the House of Alaskan Legislature.Her granddaughter, Ruth, attended the University of California at Berkeley and received a law degree from the University of California at Irvine.Her fourth grandchild, Michael, received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Clara and is currently working on his PhD in Maine.Anita is also the loving great-grandmother of four. Anita has spent much of her time traveling and has visited every continent except for Antarctica.Some of her more momentous trips were her travels to Russia, China, the Philippines, Spain, New Guinea, Israel, an African Safari, Mexico, and England.She was also fortunate enough to witness the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, while visiting her son Nathaniel at the London School of Economics. During her time at the University of Illinois, Anita had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Dr. Abram Sachar, first as her professor and later on as a friend. ... Anita has been a dedicated supporter of the college, serving as a benefactor to the library there, as well as spending a large amount of time obtaining books for the college.She is currently preparing for the 37th annual Brandeis book sale.Besides being active with Brandeis, Anita has been a long time member of Temple B'nai Jehudah and was active in the AAUW, the American Association of University Women. Anita moved to Village Shalom almost two years ago where she now resides in the Villas.Living in the Villas provides independent living with minimal assistance, but the knowledge that should a resident ever need it, assistance is close at hand.Living in the Villas enables her to be a member of the community, and should she choose, there are numerous programs, as well as meals, available at Village Shalom.One of the programs Anita chooses to participate in is exercise classes at the ElderSpa.