Born in Omaha, NE, Jean earned a B.A. from the University of Nebraska and a Ph. D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University where she met Morton. They married and went to work for Esso Research & Development. After a few years at Esso and a lot of years of teaching at Rutgers and the University of Houston Jean retired to gardening. She certified as a Master Gardener in 1997 and currently serves as head pf the Education Committee for Harris County Master Gardeners Assn. Since 2005 she has managed a medium sized garden in Spring Branch that grows food for the Turning Point Center, a residence for homeless elders. She is head of the Ritual Committee at HCRJ and Morton is head of the Rabbinic Liaison Committee. They have two grown children, daughter Rachel and son Loren. Knitting, Tennis, reading and traveling take up any time left over from other commitments.