NEWSLETTER CONTENTS
Chronicles FALL 2017
Letter from the President ............................................... 1 Caring for our Seniors’ Minds, Bodies, Souls .................. 1 Memory Care Suite at Lester .......................................... 1 Letter from the CEO ....................................................... 2 B’nai B’rith Residents Love Going to This Dog! .............. 2 JCHC Makes Music with NJ Symphony Orchestra .......... 3 JCHC Annual Dinner ....................................................... 3 Lester Memoir Writers are Famous in Israel.................... 4 Creating a Global Caring Community Group .................. 4 Luxury Living is Coming to Village Apartments .............. 4 Weston Celebrates National Assisted Living Week......... 5 Circle of Life Legacy Program ......................................... 5 Good Times at Jewish Federation Plaza ......................... 5 Tributes ........................................................................... 6 JCHC Endowment Funds ................................................ 6 Appreciating our Activity Coordinators ......................... 6
JEWISH COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION OF METROPOLITAN NEW JERSEY 760 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052 | 973-731-2020 | www.jchcorp.org
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT I am honored to be stepping into my new role as president of the JCHC Board of Trustees. The Board is a group of individuals who are deeply committed to serving our organization and our seniors. We are not just a group of people sitting around a conference table at monthly meetings discussing finances or renovation projects. We are all here to make the lives of our senior residents better, every day. Here’s a story for you about an occurrence that really brought this mission to the forefront for me in a very personal way. It was on the day of my very first board meeting as president. I’d arrived a little early and was sitting in my car next to Jewish Federation Plaza, our community that neighbors the Jewish Community Center in West Orange where we have our offices. As I looked out, thinking about our meeting, I noticed one of our residents making her way up the hill using a walker. She looked so determined as she pushed ahead, slowly and surely. As she approached my car I rolled down my window to talk to her. I learned that she is 96 years old. She does this walk every single day to stay in physical shape, and swears that that is linked to her mental sharpness. She invited me into her apartment, where she’s lived for the last seven years, and we had a lovely chat; she showed me pictures of her extended family, proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She told me she loves living at Jewish Federation Plaza and I could see why. As we walked down the hall together, she stopped to exchange pleasantries with everyone we met, all very nice social interactions between residents which showed how strong of a community residents have created there. As I prepared to leave for my meeting, this woman picked up a rather large ball that she began bouncing and catching, explaining that she does this to keep her reflexes sharp. I was quite taken with this senior who works hard every day to stay healthy and strong. Her hill walking and ball bouncing were excellent reminders to me that as a board, everything we do is about being there for real people with names and faces and interesting lives, who are part of our JCHC community. Having enjoyed our impromptu visit so much, it reminded me of the importance for our board members to find ways to get out into our buildings to meet and get to know our residents—the real people who we are here to serve. This will be an important initiative for me to work on with my fellow trustees and officers. Visiting our communities and talking to the residents, getting to know the people we serve, will help us fulfill our mission and our commitment to making their lives the best they can be.
Brian Saltzman President, Board of Trustees
Caring for our Seniors’ Minds, Bodies and Souls
As communities of caring, the JCHC residences offer educational and pastoral programs that nurture and nourish our residents’ intellectual and spiritual lives in addition to providing quality senior housing with services. From our Lifelong Learning and JCHC University programs to our live entertainment, brain games and creative arts, our seniors enjoy a variety of activities that keep them active and engaged. As an organization with roots in the Jewish community, our High Holy Day and Shabbat services are ways in which we nurture our residents’ spiritual lives. Our communities offer a full complement of services for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, hold Shabbat services on Fridays, and/ or offer the services of a rabbi on site every week.
Memory Care Suite at Lester Our beautiful Memory Care Suite at Lester, located on the 3rd floor of the Weston Assisted Living Residence, is accepting applications for older adults ages 62+ with dementia-related diagnoses. Seniors needing the specialized level of memory care we offer will thrive in a comforting, intimate setting that promotes peace of mind, body and soul. Our caregivers are specially trained in the Comfort Matters® approach to memory care, which provides “person-centered care,” centered on each resident’s particular needs and comfort at all times. Our individualized care planning focuses on life-enriching experiences that foster independence and happiness. Comfort Matters® is a leader in the field of memory care with a nationally recognized best practices accreditation process. The resident-focused Memory Care Suite includes beautifully appointed light-filled living spaces, lounges, a dining room, activity room, and a landscaped patio with water features and greenery. Important environmental supports provide a high-quality, residentfocused setting and a centrally located care manager station and elopement prevention monitoring system keep our residents safe and secure.
Tami Rager, certified yoga therapist (left), Barbara Rimorin, certified aromatherapist and Dr. Linda Travis of Comfort Matters at the seminar for professionals held in August.
In August, the Suite hosted an important pair of seminars called, “The Many Faces of Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Other Memory Care Diseases.” One was presented by Dr. Linda Travis, lead educator for Comfort Matters, for long-term care professionals and service providers to older adults (with over 70 in attendance); our COO, Laurie Loughney, presented to family members of our residents and the wider community. The seminar covered a range of topics, including the progression and stages of dementia, medical and palliative care models, and the importance of comfort to people with dementia. Guests toured the Memory Care Suite after the seminars. Residents of our Memory Care Suite enjoy a range of engaging therapeutic activities, each according to their needs and desires such as gentle touch, yoga, music therapy and aromatherapy, crafts, games and social experiences.
The entryway of the Memory Care Suite.
For more information or to arrange a tour, contact David Rozen at (973) 929-2725 or davidr@jchcorp.org. He’d love to show you around.
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LETTER FROM THE CEO
First, let me wish one and all a Happy New Year or l’shana tova! By now, many of you will have heard the shofar blast, had a meaningful fast, eaten a meal (or two or three…) in a sukkah and perhaps even danced with a Torah in your arms. While attending High Holiday services at Congregation Beth El in South Orange, I was struck by a powerful sermon delivered by our Rabbi Jesse Olitzky on Yom Kippur. Rabbi Olitzky addressed the scourge of loneliness that too many of us either experience ourselves or fail to acknowledge afflicting others. Putting it in the context of our digital age, he pointed out that “[w]e’re more connected than ever, with Facebook and Twitter, with the ability to FaceTime and Skype, text or call, and yet we feel more isolated than ever before.” And, as Rabbi Olitzky further observed, the prevalence of loneliness is surprisingly high and can negatively affect the mental and physical health of those who suffer from it. As Rabbi Olitzky highlighted, social isolation does not discriminate by age; it affects young and old alike. He started his teaching quoting young people in despair, but also shined a light on the isolation that our seniors can experience. At the Jewish Community Housing Corporation, we seek to engage our residents from day one to ensure that every senior is part of a community. There is an orientation for all new tenants, including an introduction to the various programs we offer as well as to their new neighbors by way of the tenant associations. At three of our buildings, we also offer a restaurant-style dining experience where residents can catch up with one another anywhere from 3 to 21 times per week.
Residents at South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House Love Going to This Dog! We’ve all heard the expression, “Going to the dogs” and in the case of B’nai B’rith Federation House, this is a good thing thanks to visits by Anya, a young labradoodle and her owner, Justin Strugger, 13 of Maplewood. Justin, who celebrated becoming bar mitzvah this month, wanted to do something with senior citizens as his mitzvah project and thought of bringing Anya for visits to South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House. “I usually don’t interact with seniors and I thought it would be interesting to learn about their lives. I also wanted to do something with Anya; she’s such a nice dog and people always get happy when they meet her,” he explains.
Justin Strugger and Anya get in some play time with Phyllis DeVincentis at South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House as Hanna Lushak looks on.
Justin’s mother, Jenifer Steig Strugger, sits on the JCHC’s Board of Trustees and suggested that visits to B’nai B’rith Federation House would be a great combination of Justin’s desires. He and Anya visited residents throughout the spring and they developed a real fan club among our residents; the “regulars” were all waiting for them on the pair’s last visit to wish Justin a happy summer. He hopes to commence visits again next spring and show residents his bar mitzvah pictures (and bring Anya, of course).
There are a range of activities that we provide for our seniors both on- and off-site to bring people together. Thanks to our roomy shuttle buses, JCHC residents not only go shopping together at supermarkets once per week and at malls every other week but also on trips to cultural institutions, entertainment and even the occasional trip to the casino! We either conduct or bring in professionals to provide a range of intellectually and physically stimulating activities, including yoga, tai chi, current events discussions, movies and much more. We are assisted in our efforts by other Jewish communal organizations who see fighting social isolation as a part of their mission. Jewish Family Services of MetroWest has been a fixture at our buildings for many years, meeting with residents in groups or one-on-one to listen, offer advice and counseling and help out in other ways. In the same vein, the Joint Chaplaincy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest provides rabbis who are a part of the fabric of community life by conducting services, providing religious education and meeting with residents who are not well, whether at our buildings or at a healthcare facility. The JCHC also seeks to facilitate and support resident-driven initiatives that can create new bonds of friendships and deepen existing relationships. The tenant/resident associations hold events to celebrate special occasions including resident birthdays and New Year’s Eve. Residents call bingo games, organize mah jongg competitions and arrange gardening clubs. Since the work of building community and fighting social isolation for our seniors will never be complete, I invite you to join us as a volunteer. Over the years, our seniors have engaged with children from local schools and synagogues singing and socializing, with those sharing their musical talents, with those bringing support animals and so much more. We can always use another helping hand. In that way, you can help us continue to deliver the message in deeds articulated so eloquently by Rabbi Olitzky in his sermon: “Let us never hesitate to know that we matter and that we are holy. And let us never fail to tell that to each other. You are loved. You are important. You matter. You belong. You will be found.”
Harold Colton-Max Chief Executive Officer
Residents (l. to r.) Jean Gluck, Pessy Kant, Lavinia Walker, John Perkins and Phyllis DeVincentis with Justin and Anya Strugger during a visit this spring; Jenifer Steig Strugger, Justin’s mother and JCHC Board of Trustees member, is standing.
“Anya is extremely friendly and interacts well with everyone,” said Justin. “All the senior citizens instantly connected with her. Seeing Anya brought so much joy to them.” The family is considering having Anya trained as a therapy dog because of her great disposition and positive interactions with the seniors. During Anya’s visits, the residents automatically started talking about their own pets and dogs, reliving their memories of their former companions and sharing stories from their past. One resident, animal lover Phyllis DeVincentis, enjoyed reminiscing about her childhood and the dogs she grew up with during the visits. “Every chance she got, she’d hug and kiss Anya,” said Bryna Stone, site manager of South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House. “She is a big fan of having Justin and Anya visit anytime.” Hanna Lushak, another resident, speaks little English but made sure to always be there for the visits and called Anya by name. Anya always responded by coming over for a nuzzle, putting a big smile on Hanna’s face. Justin added that the residents at B’nai B’rith Federation House also asked him a lot of questions about his daily actitvities, showing interest in life outside of the senior living community. A student at Maplewood Middle School, Justin plays tennis, does Tae Kwon Do, and participates in the Model UN program as well as writes for his school newspaper. That is, when he’s not walking or playing with Anya.
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JCHC Makes Music with the NJ Symphony Orchestra On June 28, more than 325 JCHC seniors, Board of Trustees, employees and local elected officials and residents were treated to a private concert by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) with “Music and MemoriesA Concert for Our Seniors.” It was a lovely afternoon and we especially enjoyed the guest conductor for the finale ... our very own Mitchell Goldberg, Regional Director of Dining Services, who led the NJSO in a rousing rendition of “Stars and Stripes.” The exclusive performance, in honor of our seniors, was held at the Gebroe-Hammer Conference Center in the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest Mitchell Goldberg, Regional Director of Dining Services, conducting the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. building on the Aidekman Family Jewish Community Campus in Whippany (next to the Lester Senior Housing Community). Mayor Ronald Francioli of Hanover Township welcomed the attendees and Ed Zinbarg spoke on behalf of the UJA Benefit Concert Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, whose financial support brought the NJSO to Whippany.
Harold Colton-Max, JCHC CEO, with his wife, Nomi and parents Judy and Stewart Colton at the concert. JCHC Board Member Bernard Rabbino can be seen immediately behind.
The repertoire followed the NJSO’s summer theme, “Road Trip Across the USA,” and featured musical stops across America and across decades. The orchestra was conducted by Sameer Patel, associate conductor of the San Diego Symphony. We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest for helping this wonderful afternoon come to fruition in a great venue. We also thank our generous sponsors for their support: Skoloff & Wolfe, PC; Public Service Enterprise Group; WithumSmith+Brown; The Leegis Group, Inc.; American Properties; Bowman Consulting Group, LTD; Capital Building Maintenance Corporation, Eric S. and Frann G. Francis; Craig’s Plumbing and Heating Inc./Mid State Services; DIGroup Architecture; Fox Rothschild LLP; HomeWatch Caregivers of South Orange; R&G Landscaping, LLC; Sawgrass Partners, LLC; Stellar Private Systems, Inc.; Andrew and Sharon Chavkin; Michael R. Gabriel; Kitchen & Associates; Majewski Architects; Mandelbaum Salsburg; Media Consultants, LLC; Promising Analytical
Consulting; Safe Life Security Corp.; Seth A. Leeb, Architect; and Spin Cycle, LLC. You can see more photos of this special day on our Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/JewishCommunity-HousingCorporation.
An exuberant attendee at the NJSO concert really enjoyed the repertoire!
JCHC Annual Dinner – Saying Thank You, Saying Welcome At our Annual Dinner in June, we said thank you to outgoing Board President Alan Cohen and welcomed his successor, Brian Saltzman, to the role. Alan was presented with a beautiful commemorative gift and Jay Murnick, the immediate past president, CEO Harold Colton-Max presents a gift to delivered the JCHC Board outgoing Board of Trustees President, Alan Cohen. Nominating Committee report. The event was co-chaired and emceed by Roberta Zweifler and Cookie Schneiderman, both longstanding members of the JCHC Board of Trustees. As always, it was an elegant event, enjoyed by all who attended at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston. There was bidding on the chance to conduct The beautiful setting to another wonderful Annual Dinner. the symphony orchestra, speeches and presentations, and so much spirit in the room. As the Annual Dinner marks a time of board transition, CEO Harold Colton-Max thanked the outgoing board members and officers and welcomed the incoming Board of Trustees and Executive Committee members who will help guide our organization this year.
Conductor Ronnie Weinstein (front, left) seemed to be enjoying Sylvia Zito’s solo as much as everyone else!
The JCHC Choral Group, directed by volunteer Ronnie Weinstein, performed as it always does; their performance, as always, was a highlight of the event. You can view a slide show with pictures from the event on our Facebook page.
To support JCHC, fill out form below and mail to: The Jewish Community Housing Corp. of Metropolitan NJ, 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052 or donate online: www.jchcorp.org
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760 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052 | 973-731-2020 | www.jchcorp.org
of the Jewish
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Lester Memoir Writers are Now Famous in Israel
Luxury One-Bedro FLOOR P
Luxury Living is Coming to Village Apartments of the Jewish Federation
Participants in the international Revolving Doors project, a collaboration facilitated by Paul Rabinowitz of ARTS By the People, had their stories shared as short films created by animation students at the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) in Tel Aviv, Israel this summer. The mixed-media films were based on memoirs written by residents at the Lester Senior Housing Community.
Village Ap Village Apartments ofVillage the Jewish Federation in Apartments of the Jewish F
Participants here worked via email and Skype with students there under the supervision of their animation coordinator, Yael Ozsinay. The memoirs were edited and transformed into works using film, stopmotion photography and animation by second-year students. The resulting films were screened for about 140 people at the annual Animix Festival at Paul Rabinowitz outside the Cinemateque Theatre before the the Cinemateque Theatre world premiere of “Revolving Doors” in Israel. in Tel Aviv on August 11 to great acclaim. Paul read a statement to the audience on behalf of our memoir writers. He also presented gifts to the participating students from ARTS By the People and the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey.
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“The films were great and the project got a great reception at the festival,” said Paul. “Everyone was really moved by the whole thing.” Paul is executive director of ARTS By the People, the non-profit organization that runs the various creative arts programs at our senior living communities. Of the title, “Revolving Doors,” Paul explained that is a play on the English and a Hebrew phrase. “In Hebrew, ‘dor mistovev’ means ‘revolving generation.’ Grandparents move through life opening doors for the younger generation; as it becomes more physically difficult, the younger generation helps to push open the doors while they listen to their elders’ stories—hence, ‘dor mistovev’ or Revolving Doors.”
The Creating a Global Caring Community Together team at the meeting in August. Left side: Dr. Josh Schor, Alice Greenberg-Sheedy, Susan Schechter, Laurie Loughney (COO of the JCHC); center, Dr. Hana Kornblum; right side: Cecille Asekoff (Director, Joint Chaplaincy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest), Susan Friedman, Leana Moritt, Beth Batastini and Rabbi Stanley Asekoff.
As we wrote about in our last edition of the Chronicles, JCHC COO Laurie Loughney attended a conference in early June in Israel as part of the Creating a Global Caring Community Together initiative. A follow-up meeting was held in August with US participants, facilitated by Cecille Asekoff, director of the Joint Chaplaincy of Greater MetroWest. The Global Caring Community Together group, comprising members from the US and Israel, is committed to deepening the connection that was made during the June conference and to continue their mutual advocacy for compassion and hope for the aging, the ill, and those at the end of life. The group discussed goals for the coming year, including pairing with Israeli counterparts on an ongoing basis to share ideas and best practices, and an upcoming event in November about bioethics and other pertinent topics.
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Owned and Managed by the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey
JCHC Continues its Work in Creating a Global Caring Community Group
Village Apartments
Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey 760 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052
We are delighted that a very local screening has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 31 at 1:15 p.m. at the Lester Senior Housing Community. Our memoir writers and their fellow residents are very excited to see the films!
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He said a strong connection has been forged between the senior writers at Lester and the students in Holon. “Everyone got great real-life experience from doing this and both parties—seniors and students—are interested in doing this again. Our writers had a blast and are looking forward to the local screening.”
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Weston Residents Celebrate National Assisted Living Week Every year, the Lester Senior Housing Community participates in National Assisted Living Week, with a wonderful week of activities for our residents in the community’s Weston Assisted Living Residence. This year’s theme was “Family is Forever,” acknowledging the many ways we make family within our communities—not only with relatives but with their fellow residents, our caring staff and service providers. The week started with a festive wine & cheese social for residents, their family members and guests from the wider community. Residents and their family members enjoyed a private photographic portrait session as part of the evening. Later in the week, more than 60 residents enjoyed a cocktail hour and music with plenty of socializing, sparking cider and tasty hors d’oeuvres. No week at Lester would be complete without some kind of art project; Keisha McDonald, our community life coordinator, led a studioSome of the hand-painted wine glasses created by our residents during National Assisted Living Week. style art session during which residents completed two projects: painting a flower, with each resident providing his/her own personal touch and then painting on wine glasses. The week concluded with a wonderful talk among our seniors about what family meant to them, the importance of family and about our family here at Lester. After sharing some personal stories, the group made a Weston Family Tree. The tree trunk represents the Lester Senior Housing Community where we are today as a family, with everyone anchored by the root. The branches are residents’ different walks of life, experiences and ventures. What a great week it was!
Marlene Hyatt (center) with her son and daughter-in-law at our summer family barbeque.
Residents at Jewish Federation Plaza enjoyed a family barbeque on August 16 and judging from all the smiles, it was a great success. In addition to plenty of hotdogs and hamburgers, accordionist Eric provided lively musical entertainment. Long-time resident Helen Mandel said, “It was a wonderful event. You can see the staff put a lot of work into it. After being a resident at Plaza for so many years, it’s nice to be so well served and considered.” It is our pleasure! Now our residents are working off all that good eating with a new Chair Zumba program, led twice a month by Benita Perkins. Chair Zumba has become a big hit with our residents. According to Karen Storch, “This program is among the very best. I have taken Zumba classes before, but this one is outstanding.”
Lauretta Williams, Zeba Sroya and Michelle Abel of PNC Bank at the fraud prevention seminar. A resident works on his painting.
The JCHC’s Circle of Life Legacy Program – Touching Future Lives with Your Gift Today The JCHC’s Circle of Life Legacy Program, which was introduced in the fall, provides the opportunity to plant the financial seeds today for a sustainable future for our organization and those we serve. This philanthropic opportunity enables anyone of any means to make an after-lifetime gift of any amount to the JCHC. Funds from the Legacy Program will help us ensure that our seniors can afford to live comfortably in an environment they know and enjoy, and that they can thrive in our communities for as long as they want to. Everyone receives the same immediate recognition for performing this mitzvah when they arrange a legacy gift (gifts can be made anonymously as well). We invite our residents, their family members, board members and anyone whose life has been touched by our communities to consider pledging a gift now and join the 19 individuals or couples who have pledged more than $136,000 to make a continuing difference for other seniors in the future. There are several ways in which you can arrange these after-lifetime gifts as outlined in our program brochure, which is available in our community offices. You can also read more about the program and participating non-profit organizations at www.jchcorp. org/legacyprogram. If you have any questions or would like to discuss making a legacy commitment, please contact JCHC CEO Harold Colton-Max at 973-530-3961 or haroldc@jchcorp.org.
Planting the seeds for future generations
Good Times and Great Information for Residents of Jewish Federation Plaza
Good times are always available at Jewish Federation Plaza but we also keep our seniors’ safety in mind at all times. To that end, we hosted a Fraud Prevention program in September, presented by PNC Bank, at which residents learned how they can secure their identity and protect their finances. Another September program that was well received was “Fall Into a Healthy Change of Season” which was presented by nutritionist and Plaza resident, Roberta Atti. Roberta stressed the health-supportive benefits of fresh seasonal and local fruits and vegetables. Participants had the opportunity to sample some of Roberta’s freshly homemade beet, apple and carrot juice and also enjoyed fresh mint tea. There was also a veggie giveaway at the end of the program. For the presentation, Laurie Loughney, COO of the JCHC, generously donated vegetables and fruits from her Tuv Ha’aretz cooperative share. Tuv Ha’aretz is a CSA (community supported agriculture) program administered by the JCC MetroWest, through which participants purchase shares of locally grown produce that supports area farms.
A selection of fresh vegetables and fruits at Roberta Atti’s presentation on healthy eating at Jewish Federation Plaza.
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“Friends of JCHC” Tributes
mazel tov, get well and in memoriam
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Lifecycle Event
Saul and Suzanne Berkowitz Saul and Suzanne Berkowitz Saul and Suzanne Berkowitz Saul and Suzanne Berkowitz Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Sharon and Andrew Chavkin Harold and Nomi Colton-Max Colton-Max Family Harold Colton-Max Harold Colton-Max Harold Colton-Max Harold Colton-Max Harold and Nomi Colton-Max Harold and Nomi Colton-Max Harold and Nomi Colton-Max John Halperin Laurie Loughney Brian Saltzman and Alma Schneider Brian Saltzman and Alma Schneider Brian Saltzman and Alma Schneider Cookie Schneiderman Cookie Schneiderman Pat and Burt Sebold Pat and Burt Sebold Judy Shulman Roberta and Walter Zweifler Roberta and Walter Zweifler Bachman Industries Douglas Blaine Richard Buteux Steven J. and Barbara Nappen Steven J. and Barbara Nappen Steven J. and Barbara Nappen Steven J. and Barbara Nappen Steven J. and Barbara Nappen Steven J. and Barbara Nappen Steven J. and Barbara Nappen Sharon Saltzman Shirley Kartzman Phyllis Pollio Phyllis Pollio
Bernard and Tina Rabbino George and Cheryl Press Andrew Oshrin The Garfinkel Family Mr. Scott Maier and Family Mrs. Stevi Gurkoff and Family Mrs. JoAnna Fellon The Dauber Family David Beckerman The Cohen Family Mr. and Mrs. Steve Nappen Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Jason Wheatley Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Perelman Mr. Mark Gorsky and Family Mrs. Jodi Israel Mrs. Renee Maier & Family Mrs. Ricki Birner Mr. & Mrs. Howard Cohen Bernard and Tina Rabbino Robert DeLeon and Family Mitchell and Deborah Leff April and Robert Sussman Caren Ford Jaime Beach Masler and Michael Beach Martin Barber Mariela and Ariel Dybner Joni Cohen April and Robert Sussman April and Robert Sussman Bernard and Tina Rabbino Mitchell and Deborah Leff Martin Barber Bernard and Tina Rabbino Mrs. Marlene Gamble Bernard and Tina Rabbino Martin Barber Mitchell and Deborah Leff April and Robert Sussman Martin Barber Debra Schiff Debra Schiff Debra Schiff Family of Ms. Marcia Cohen Family of Ms. Lenore Beckerman Family of Ms. Susan Gold Family of Bruce Goldman, Esq. Family of Ms. Jodi Israel Family of Mr. Martin Barber Family of Ms. Rikki Birner Marty Barber Thelma Boadkin Robert DeLeon and Family Ms. Nancy DeLeon Link and Family
The marriage of their son Peter to Keren The marriage of your daugher Jillian to Kyle McGrath The passing of his father Martin Oshrin The passing of Stanley Garfinkel The passing of Susan Maier The passing of Carol Taub The passing of Antoinette Galanti The passing of Marty Dauber The passing of Lenore Beckerman The passing of Marcia Cohen The passing of your brother-in-law The marriage of Adam and Mallory In honor of Netany and Sarah In honor of Danielle’s engagement The passing of Jerry Gorsky The passing of Joseph Thal The passing of our friend Scott The passing of your father Sunny The birth of your new grandson Max The marriage of their son Peter to Keren The passing of your grandmother Edith Stiller The birth of granddaughter Remi Brynn Pollack The birth of your first grandchild Samuel Levi Sussman Women of Valor Award Birth of your daughter, Anna Rae The passing of your wife Ruth The passing of her mother Women of Valor Award The birth of your first grandchild Samuel Levi Sussman The birth of your first grandchild Samuel Levi Sussman The marriage of their son Peter to Keren The birth of granddaughter Remi Brynn Pollack The passing of your wife Ruth The marriage of their son Peter to Keren The passing of your husband Jimmy The marriage of their son Peter to Keren The passing of your wife Ruth The birth of granddaughter Remi Brynn Pollack The birth of your first grandchild Samuel Levi Sussman The passing of your wife Ruth On the passing of Pearle Schiff On the passing of Pearle Schiff On the passing of Pearle Schiff The passing of Marcia Cohen The passing of Lenore Beckerman The passing of Alan Levin The passing of Ms. Mae Goldman The passing of Mr. Joseph Thal The passing of Ms. Ruth Barber The passing of Mr. Sonny Gair On the passing of his wife Ruth In honor of the birth of your great grandson Samuel The passing of your grandmother Edith Stiller The passing of your grandmother Edith Stiller
*To send a Tribute, please contact Tayelor T. Barrett at 973-530-3966 or email TayelorB@JCHCorp.org
JCHC Endowment Funds
Appreciating our Activity Coordinators
These endowment funds were set up by generous individuals and organizations with specific missions that ensure our seniors have the services and programs they need to live life to the fullest in our four communities. For more information, you can read about these funds on our website at http://jchcorp.org/endowment-funds/
Behind our busy calendar of activities we offer to our residents are three hardworking women: Activity Coordinators April Osborne (Jewish Federation Plaza, Village Apartments of the Jewish Federation) and Carolyn Schonthal (South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House) and Community Life Coordinator Keisha McDonald (Lester Senior Housing Community):
The Weinberg Endowment Fund – provides financial assistance for lowincome seniors living in our unsubsidized apartment buildings. It was established in 2001 by a $1 million gift from the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation out of Maryland and matched by $2 million raised by the local MetroWest Jewish Community.
To show our appreciation, we held a lovely luncheon in Cafe Ruth (the bistro in the Lester Senior Housing Community) on August 23 to thank this dedicated team for bringing so much life to our communities and to our seniors. Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch complete with toasts and bouquets of fresh flowers for the guests of honor. After lunch, the group toured the Memory Care Suite in the Weston Assisted Living Residence and learned about the person-centered memory care that we provide to seniors with dementia-related impairments.
The Harold Colton-Max Endowment – established in 2015 in honor of CEO Harold Colton-Max’s 10th year with the JCHC. Provides financial assistance for low-income seniors living in our unsubsidized apartment buildings. The Schofel Family Endowment – subsidizes activities and/or food programs for senior residents in need of financial assistance. This was established in 2005 by a $150,000 gift from former JCHC Board President Janice Schofel (z”l). The Dorothy Lazarus Endowment for the Hearing-Impaired – to purchase audiology equipment, hearing aids and pay for hearing examinations of JCHC residents. Philanthropists Eugene W. and Joan Kalkin established the endowment in 2002 with a $25,000 gift which was subsequently enhanced with an additional $5,000 contribution from the Kalkins.
Attendees heard many words of appreciation at the luncheon. Cheryl Kasye, site manager at Village Apartments, thanked April “for your hard work and dedication to our residents, for your heart and for making sure we meet our residents’ needs.” AnnMarie Bass, site manager at Jewish Federation Plaza said of April: “She puts so much time into the activities and making sure that the entertainers are what our residents like and want. She goes above and beyond.”
The Pearl and Max Randall Endowment – provides financial support for residents of our buildings to experience movies. This was started with a contribution of $10,000 from the Randalls over 20 years ago.
Bryna Stone, site manager of South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House offered kudos to Carolyn Schonthal. “Carolyn always listens and is willing to put in extra effort to coordinate all the transportation for trips for all of the Essex county communities.”
If you wish to contribute to support any of these particular initiatives, please contact Harold Colton-Max, JCHC CEO at (973) 530-3961. You can also make your donation to the Friends of the JCHC and indicate the purpose on the memo line so that we can direct the funds accordingly.
Marlene Glass, site administrator of the Lester Senior Housing Community said that Keisha McDonald “has had a refreshing approach to a multitude of programs and has been an amazing team member as we opened the Memory Care Suite.”
760 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052 | 973-731-2020 | www.jchcorp.org