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Jane Schwartz, chair of San Jose's Senior Citizens Commission, said her biggest political challenge is sheltering tenants living on retirement income from landlords eager to raise their rents.

"We need love, mercy and the pursuit of justice," Schwartz said. "Seniors in our community are increasing in numbers, and we need people who can speak out for them and pursue their interests.

"I know there is clothing and food for people who need it, but not affordable housing. It's the most serious problem in the Bay Area and San Jose."

Schwartz, a veteran of several San Jose commissions and boards, joined the senior citizens commission three years ago and was elected chairwoman in July.

What makes this retired schoolteacher so politically active? Inspiration.

In 1981, as the budget and finance chair of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, Schwartz attended a New York City meeting for leaders of major Jewish organizations. During the event, she met former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and was inspired by his words.

"He was so charismatic in person. The force of his words, the way he delivered them, his posture," she said. "He wasn't very big, you know, but the way he stood, he looked over 6 feet tall. That was very exciting for me."

Schwartz was also very much influenced by the late Rabbi William Stern of Temple Sinai in Oakland, where she grew up. Her most important role models, she added, were her parents, Aron and Jeanette Pencovic.

Again stressing housing for seniors as a great need, Schwartz reported other strong concerns for the elderly as well.

Loneliness "is a gnawing problem, especially among widows and widowers." Although there are a myriad of support services in the Jewish community, too many Jewish widows go into seclusion and depression.

"They need to stay active; they need a place. Many Jewish organizations help out with this, but getting the bereaved out of their homes is difficult," Schwartz said. "Especially if they've been a homemaker all their lives. Being away from their husbands makes it even tougher to entice them [into] activities."

Schwartz and her husband, Edward, have been living in San Jose since 1962. The couple celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on Dec. 2.

In addition to serving on the San Jose commission, Schwartz has sat on many other boards, including the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El, Women of Reform Judaism, Brandeis University National Women's Committee, the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Greater San Jose and Hadassah.

Schwartz summed up her achievements quite simply:

"I'm just a little cog in the beautiful Jewish world in which we live."