Doing His Part: A Soviet Emigre Now Helps Others

Beverly Hills resident Sam Lippman immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1920, so he knows what it feels like to be a stranger in a strange land. He managed to settle in and worked 40 years in the furniture manufacturing business. But he didn’t do it alone. “People helped me, they helped my family when we came here,” he said.

“Now, I want to do what I can to help others who are newcomers, just like we were then,” Lippman said. And he’s doing just that.

Lippman, now retired, is in charge of the furniture division of the Assn. of Soviet Emigres. He gathers new and used furniture and distributes it free to newly arrived immigrants, many of whom come to the United States with almost nothing. In the last year, he has streamlined and refined the distribution program, bought a truck from Los Angeles city surplus and rented a storefront warehouse to gather donated furniture.

With the assistance of a bilingual manager, three full-time staff members and several volunteers, Lippman manages the furniture division and works about 25 hours per week. In one five-month period of operation, 367 families received furniture from the project.

“I’ve made it sort of a job and it’s working out great,” he said. “And, it’s been a very gratifying experience that I can give (the emigres) a start in this country.”

Lippman’s project is funded with a grant from the county and private donations, but he says that more furniture and donations are needed to keep the project running. Furniture pickup can be arranged by calling (213) 878-0995.

Donald Skinner, professor and chairman of urology at the USC School of Medicine and its Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer and Research Institute, has been named the 1991 winner of the Barringer Medal by the American Assn. of Genito-Urinary Surgeons.

The award, established in 1952, recognizes Skinner’s achievements in continent urinary diversion and renal surgery.

Skinner is a resident of Santa Monica.

Marcia Antopol has been appointed director of project development for the Jewish Community Foundation in Los Angeles. Her new duties will include initiating systems to link community needs and planning techniques with endowment development.

Antopol, former senior associate director of the planning and allocations department of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, is a Culver City resident.

Attorney Stephen Kramer has been elected president of the board of trustees of the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble.

He will be responsible for improving the caliber of theater performances as well as developing new services for the community.