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Name: Melanie Shapiro

Occupation: Social worker for Holy Redeemer Home Care, Elizabeth

Address: Bound Brook

Family: Married for 27 years to Joel Shapiro an attorney. They have four children: Samuel, who is studying auto mechanics; twins Henry, finishing freshman year at Binghamton University, N.Y. and Trudianne, a student at New York Institute of Technology in West Islip, N.Y.; and Rebecca, a sophomore at Bound Brook High School. Brother, Jody Goldsmith, is a retired Army officer living with his family in Washington, D.C. Sister Laurie Goldsmith Heitner is married to Saul Heitner, an attorney. They live in Westfield. Sister-in-law Linda Engelhardt, widow of brother Michael. They have three children. Mother Marianne Goldsmith of Bedminster, widow of Karl Goldsmith, whose life as a German refugee fighting against the Nazis in WWII is the subject of the film "About Face: The Story of the Jewish Refugee Soldiers of World War II" being shown May 15 at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield.

Community activities: On the board of trustees of Congregation B'nai Israel for two terms. Former Sisterhood president for Congregation B'nai Israel, Basking Ridge. Boy Scout leader and Girl Scout leader. Active member of Bound Brook High School Booster Club (Athletics).

Hobbies: "Exercising, reading. I love to read but I don't get much time to do that. Going to the theater and I love handiwork -- knitting scarves and crocheted my daughter's yarmulkes for her bat mitzvah. And I love gardening, swimming, skiing, and other outdoor sports."

Self-portrait: "Outgoing, enthusiastic, hard working."

Motto: "Work hard; love life; have fun."

Greatest accomplishment: "My children."

Bad habits: "I don't use my time more wisely, so I could read more."

Favorite TV show: "I love all the sitcoms. My favorites are 'Parenthood' and 'The United States of Tara.'"

Favorite food: "Ice cream."

Best childhood memory: "I had my appendix out when I was 6. It was the first time in the hospital and got lots of attention. Also I remember at 10 taking the bus to the Metropolitan Opera with my grandmother and brother Michael to see my first opera -- that was 'Carmen.' That was the first of many operas I went to. I once wrote a letter to Rudolf Bing, the general manager of the Met, asking when the opera 'Cinderella' would be on. Bing wrote back that they weren't putting on 'Cinderella' but that I should come and see the production of 'Hansel and Gretel.' I went with my grandmother to see 'Hansel and Gretel' and afterwards went backstage to get the autographs where I met Theresa Stratas. I had long red hair then and Stratas looked at me, saying, 'You'd make a better Gretel than me.'"

People don't know that I... "Failed basic sailing in a Girl Scout camp. I failed because I couldn't get the little boat in."

Last book I read: " 'Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters,' by Captain Chesley Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow."

The biggest asset in the local Jewish community: "The feeling of being a part of a community and feeling of others caring about each other."

The biggest problem in the local Jewish community: "I think the issues is the Jewish identity of the youth -- to have a strong feeling of pride in their Judaism. I don't know how much is there. Instead of saying the biggest problem we should name it 'the biggest priority' for all of us."

If I had more time, I would: "Volunteer more and read more."