Shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, Schulman enlisted in the U.S. Army. Before World War II ended, six Schulman brothers were serving their country in the war.
‘‘We felt it was our duty to get involved,” the 84-year-old said. “I was physically able and did what I could do.’’
Schulman was honored for his service during ceremony in November at the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-9th District. He was presented with several medals he earned during his military service.
‘‘When we came home, we agreed on one thing: It was the greatest thing we ever did to prove democracy was worth fighting for,” he said. “I wish more people would realize that.’’
The day after Schulman returned from the war, he began working at the family business, Schulman’s store on 11th Avenue.
In 1946, he joined the Altoona Chapter of the American Business Clubs and became a life member in 1963. Schulman held numerous offices with Ambucs, including terms as president in 1961-62 and 1996-97. He took the post in 1996 when the current president moved away.
‘‘We were left without someone to pick up the slack,’’ said Robert Reffner, Ambucs secretary. ‘‘Someone said, ‘let’s ask Yale.’ He took over the presidency when he didn’t have to do so; that showed his dedication.’’
Schulman also served as publicity committee chairman for two terms and district governor from 1963-64.
‘‘Yale is the classic servant leader,” said Paul Dick, Ambucs treasurer. “He serves Ambucs’ mission and what it stands for. He has provided leadership in many ways to the organization.’’
Schulman said he has attended about 30 national and about 30 regional Ambucs conventions.
It was through his work with Ambucs that Schulman became a member of the board of directors at Easter Seals.
‘‘Easter Seals does a lot of good,” he said. “At Ambucs, we contribute a lot of money to them every year. We set up scholarships for students going into the field of therapy work. That makes it worthwhile. To be part of that makes you feel very good, something to be proud of.”
The Jaffa Shrine also is important to Schulman, who has been a Shrine volunteer for more than 50 years.
‘‘We have 22 hospitals in the country which help children at no cost to the families,” he said. “The Shrine makes all things worthwhile. I am particularly proud of Shrine.
“I became a member of the Legion of Honor Drill Team, which was the drill team for the Shrine for 27 years.”
Schulman is a deeply religious man and very involved at Agudath Achim Congregation, where he has been on the board of directors since 1946 and served as chairman of the spiritual committee.
He also served on the regional and national boards of the United Synagogue of America.
‘‘He has been very forceful and active, always concerned about the betterment of the operation of the synagogue,’’ said Henry Weinberg, retired owner of The Colony Shop on 11th Avenue. ‘‘He has been a very key, active individual.’’
When the synagogue was in debt in the 1970s, Schulman spearheaded a campaign to raise money to pay off the mortgage and started the Agudath Achim Trust Fund.
‘‘If you needed someone to jump in and get something done, he would do it,’’ said congregation member Clark Adelman, who had Schulman as a Sunday school teacher. ‘‘He was instrumental in establishing the Agudath Achim Trust Fund to ensure the future of the synagogue. He was very passionate about the trust fund.’’
Schulman was involved with numerous other organizations over the years. He remains active with Call for Action, where he has volunteered for about 20 years. He also served as president of the Gallitzin Lions Club and served on the Altoona Planning Commission and State Crime Commission.
Schulman credits his parents, Anna and Morris, and Rabbi Henry Goldberger as being the greatest influences in his life.
‘‘I considered myself very lucky,” he said. “My parents were born in Russia and came here in 1910. They stressed responsibility and involvement in the community. They gave me a good background.
“At Sunday school and Hebrew school, Rabbi Goldberger cracked the whip to make sure we took care of our responsibilities.’’
Community service came natural to Schulman.
‘‘I just do the things that should be done because that is the way I was taught,’’ Schulman said. ‘‘I didn’t do much. It was the way I was brought up.’’
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
