Sol and Ruth M. live by the words of a simple Hebrew expression: Love your neighbor like yourself.

“I like to say hello to everyone with a smile,” Sol said. “I like to see smiling faces. And everyone I see here [in Austin], they always smile, smile, smile.”

It’s been over two years since Sol and Ruth moved to Austin from Brooklyn, New York to be closer to their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, and both agree that the city’s friendly vibe is their favorite part about living here. Sol, a former postal worker and army man, often wears a baseball hat that reads “World War II Veteran,” which he says seems to strike a chord with the strangers he meets in Texas.

“When I see people out in public here, they’ll stop me, [see the hat], and say thank you,” he said. “Isn’t that great?”

But despite the sociable climate, living in a less-urban environment has brought on its challenges for the couple, who, as lifelong Orthodox Jews, are not permitted to drive or ride in any vehicles on the Sabbath. Because there is no synagogue within walking distance of their North Austin apartment, they’ve had to give up going to services.

Even if driving was allowed, though, hearing impairments and mobility issues forced Sol and Ruth to give it up several years ago. And a synagogue isn’t the only thing located out of walking distance from their home. The closest grocery store is several blocks away. Unable to constantly rely on family members to drive them where they needed to go, Ruth and Sol had a dilemma.

Through a local reference book, Ruth discovered MOWAM’s Groceries-to-Go program. She signed up and now, with a volunteer’s help, Ruth is able to continue preparing meals for herself and Sol. Twice a month, her MOWAM volunteer takes her to a grocery store with a special kosher foods section.

“She comes and picks me up and goes to the store with me,” said Ruth. “I ride in the scooter and she reaches up and down to get the food off the shelves and check if it’s kosher. Everything about it is great for us. She’s so helpful and cheerful and good.”

Married for 53 years, Sol and Ruth never were the suburban or country type. Once, they put a payment down on a house on Long Island. Ruth was preparing their things to move when she looked out her window and saw her neighbors getting into their cars, walking down the street.

“I thought to myself, I won’t be able to [see my neighbors] anymore,” she said. “I would miss that. So we took back the deposit.”

In Austin, Sol and Ruth are able to sustain their need for social lives through a local Jewish community center, which offers a shuttle service and picks them up each day for mahjong and exercise.

So far, with the help of MOWAM and other community resources, Sol and Ruth feel like they can get by on their own just fine, without having to rely heavily on their family members.

“I am always thankful to the one above me for taking care of me,” Sol said. “My philosophy is to denigrate negativism and accentuate positivism.”