In 1971, Nat and Tillie Goodman of Overland Park, Kansas, responded to the news that a kosher home was needed for a Jewish foreign exchange high school student.
With three of their four children gone from home and a four-bedroom house with plenty of space available, they agreed to welcome this exchange student who had specific needs. He would attend Shawnee Mission South High School with their daughter Deborah, who was in her senior year.
The exchange student was Milton Maltz, son of a physician and one of several children in the Maltz family. He was from Porto Alegre, a city in the southeast corner of Brazil. At the time, the two metropolitan areas were about the same size, but Porto Alegre has grown considerably since. (Brazil has a significant Jewish population – more than 100,000 – and most are concentrated around Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.)
As an honorary member of the Goodman family, he had a memorable stay in Kansas City. Although, he got tired of explaining that he spoke Portuguese, not Spanish – but the two languages are “tzeemilar,” as he would say.
Milton participated with Deborah Goodman in BBYO and social activities and enjoyed his classes at SMS. He did, however, miss opportunities to play soccer. So, one weekend he found a game, went and played. He came home smiling, having won.
Earlier this year, Goodman, who now lives in Fairfield, Connecticut, was planning a trip to London with her husband, Roger Agatston. She was reminded that Maltz (now Dr. Milton Maltz) was a physician, medical director and senior private practitioner on Harley Street, an area renowned for its private medical specialists.
The fact that Dr. Maltz is a cardiologist further piqued her interest in meeting and catching up. Goodman worked in development for the American Heart Association for more than 30 years. She currently works for the Marfan Foundation for people living with genetic heart conditions.
On Sept. 15, Goodman, Agatston, Dr. Maltz and his Brazilian born wife, Fortuna, gathered in North London at their home. Goodman and Dr. Maltz looked at photographs from his time in Kansas City and reminisced about their youth. In addition to catching up and having fun, they talked about heart health.
The visit included a tour of the area and an outdoor barbeque with friends.
At the end of the visit, Dr. Maltz and Goodman have remained in touch and pledged to not wait another 50 years to get together.
