EXTRAordinary People lets you inside the world of the people you may see everyday, but those who have let their light shine onto the world because of their unique talents, contributions, and STORIES. In their own words, each discusses the hardships which they have encountered and what it took for them to rise above the obstacles and make a difference. Join Shirley Wachtel and be inspired by these EXTRAordinary people!
BILL SCHRIMMER was born on November 20, 1923, in Dresden, Germany. He was born to a Jewish family who produced lubricants and leather polish for the German military. As a boy, Bill witnessed the loss of friends and many of the horrors committed under the Nazi regime. As he continued his education in a private school, participated in various youth groups, and learned to speak five languages, he saw his father imprisoned in Buchenwald. He then fled with his family. They found temporary refuge in England before embarking on a ship to the United States where he worked and participated in many organizations. Bill served as a certified referee for the US Soccer Federation for two decades. He married his wife, Thea, in 1949; they shared two children, six grandchildren, and ultimately, seven great grandchildren. He currently lives in Monroe, New Jersey where he is an active participant in many clubs where he addresses groups, telling his life story. Bill will turn 103 this November.
6 Jul 2026
Understanding The Past for a Better Future
Jeff Lejfer is the child of Holocaust survivors and was the leader of several Jewish organizations. Upon retirement, after a very successful 50-year career in insurance, as the creator of New Day Underwriting Managers, an award-winning insurance agency, he became a renowned speaker, visiting several civic and school groups. Jeff loves enlightening young people especially about the Holocaust and his life growing up. He has been married for over 50 years and is the proud parent of two sons and grandparent of four. He proudly shares that he grew up on a chicken farm and makes homemade gefilte fish from his mother’s and grandmother’s recipe.
6 Apr 2026
Ann Vipamaneerut
Ann Vipamaneerut is the owner of Rice Factory, a restaurant in Milltown, New Jersey featuring Thai foods. Her given name is Vilailuck Vipamaneerut, but all of the patrons and friends affectionately know her as Ann. Ann, who is 54 years old, has lived in the United States for over 27 years, and earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Saginaw Valley University in Michigan in 1996. After returning to Thailand, she came back to the United States in 2000 where she and her husband Paul worked as servers in a restaurant. On November 4th, 2014, they decided to start their own business and opened the Rice Factory. They have been serving customers with their unique dishes ever since.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
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Quality
10
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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