Charles E. Smith Life Communities 2024 Annual Report
CESLC Board Chair
Natalie S. West and
CESLC President/CEO
Bruce J. Lederman
Our philosophy of compassionate care has its roots in our century-old mission, vision and rich tradition.
It’s a philosophy exemplified everywhere—from the genuine relationships we form with residents and their families to the lasting contributions we make to the larger community.
Our Mission
Charles E. Smith Life Communities delivers quality care and meaningful life experiences to older adults, with dignity and compassion rooted in Jewish values.
Our Vision
Charles E. Smith Life Communities will be the provider of choice for innovative programs and services that enrich and enhance the quality of life for older adults.
Our Values
TZEDEK
We do what is right, acting with integrity, accountability, and generosity of spirit.
KAVOD
We acknowledge the value of each individual and serve all with respect and dignity.
CHESED
We act with kindness, empathy, and caring.
HIDDUR
We deliver the highest standards of service and hospitality.
A Message from Leadership
Dear Friends,
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the many people who support our mission at Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC). Your generous donations sustain us as a nationally recognized provider of housing and services for older adults -- where empathy and engagement empower those we serve to live their best lives.
We are proud to share this brief overview of 2024 achievements:
• For the second time, Landow House and Cohen-Rosen House, our assisted living residences, earned the prestigious 2024 Silver Achievement in Quality Award from the American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living.
• Hebrew Home of Greater Washington (HHGW) was named a 2025 Best Nursing Home for Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report, the third time our skilled nursing center has earned both distinctions in a single year. Less than 5% of the approximately 15,000 nursing homes surveyed earned this award in both categories.
• Newsweek ranked HHGW as the top nursing home in the state of Maryland.
• In 2024, HHGW earned the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Five-Star Quality Rating for the 11th consecutive quarter, maintaining its place among the nation’s highest-rated skilled nursing communities
• We welcomed new leadership to Charles E. Smith Life Communities, including vice presidents for our Business Growth and Resource Development departments and a vice president of innovation and strategy, whose responsibilities include oversight of the Jonathan S. and Patricia G. England CESLC Innovation Fund.
As we look ahead to serving future generations of older adults, retaining and growing the dedicated team of associates who make our work possible remains a top priority, as does staying ahead of the innovation curve to ensure we continue improving the quality of life for those we serve.
Innovation also guides our 10-year strategic plan, which includes assessments of the scope and size of our existing residences and programs while identifying opportunities for growth. Key projects include the Reimagine Ring House project and introducing a concierge membership model for the medical practice serving residents of Cohen-Rosen House and Landow House.
As always, our Board of Governors and Boards of Directors, as guardians of our 114-year mission, provide the leadership and philanthropic partnership that drive CESLC’s growth. Alongside them, the dedication of our associates, volunteers, donors and lay leaders makes it possible for us to deliver the highest quality, personcentered care.
Together, we create a community where older adults lead their best lives with dignity and purpose.
With gratitude,
Natalie S. West Chair, Board of Governors
Bruce J. Lederman President/CEO
2024 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
2024 ANNUAL MEETING
At CESLC’s 114th Annual Meeting, lay leaders, senior leadership, supporters and family members gathered at Wasserman Residence to reflect on 2023 accomplishments and align on priorities for the year ahead. Board Chair Natalie West shared highlights from the past year, and President and CEO Bruce Lederman outlined goals for 2024. The gathering reaffirmed our shared commitment to empowering older adults to live with dignity and purpose, rooted in Jewish values.
WOMEN’S NETWORKING EVENT
“An Evening of Comedy” featuring comedian Ophira Eisenberg brought together 150 dynamic women from the Greater Washington area for an evening of connection and laughter. Guests networked while they learned more about the impact of CESLC’s services.
Charles E. Smith Life Communities
14TH ANNUAL SARA AND SAMUEL J. LESSANS HEALTHCARE SYMPOSIUM
Helping older adults manage anxiety and its disorders was the impetus for the 2024 Symposium, titled “Embracing Calm: Navigating Anxiety in the Senior Years.” Morning keynote speaker Dr. Sandeep Jauhar focused on the personal impacts of his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, while afternoon keynote speaker Serena Jain described her own experience using mindfulness to overcome anxiety. Breakout sessions focused on anxiety and suggested treatments.
ANNUAL DONOR APPRECIATION DINNER
A crowd of donors who gave $500 or more to Charles E. Smith Life Communities during 2023 were dazzled by mentalist and illusionist Shimshi. The annual event is our opportunity to celebrate donors’ meaningful contribution to sustaining compassionate care and life-enriching experiences for CESLC residents and their families.
A NIGHT OF COMEDY
Supporters of CESLC gathered for a night of comedy featuring standup comic Dan Naturman. The sold-out event was an opportunity for attendees to learn about CESLC services and how community support helps us fulfill our mission of caring for older adults.
Charles E. Smith Life Communities
Voices of Ring House Festival
RING HOUSE ‘VOICES’ SING, PAINT, WRITE TO BUILD CONNECTIONS
Ring House Executive Director
Bret Stine had never seen anything like it.
The event, he says, “was both remarkable and meaningful.” Some parts made him laugh, others brought a tear to his eye.
While Ring House has always focused on residents’ creativity and interests, the recent Voices of Ring House Festival put an exclamation mark on their talents. Participants in the three-day event not only shared their lives with one another and our guests through skits, readings, paintings, photography, crafts and music, but also lent their literal voices to the celebration.
Those Ring House voices rang out primarily through the premier performance of a composition inspired by and incorporating residents’ recorded words. The piece was written especially for the festival by Ian Power, an associate
professor at the University of Baltimore.
“The festival was a year-long exploration of creativity,” says Lauren Latessa, founder and executive director of Iris Music Project, whose Iris Piano Trio serves as the ensemble-inresidence at Charles E. Smith Life Communities. Because the event was designed to help residents of the independent living community grow in their understanding of one another, the project’s music committee created an initial goal of interviewing 40 residents and their relationships to the arts.
“Consistent across the interviews was a desire to share and celebrate life stories,” says Latessa. That goal resulted in the festival’s title and inclusion of resident quotes from the interviews in the finale musical composition.
The festival also featured:
• An ar t gallery of residents’ paintings and photography.
• A book of original writing including poetry and tributes to loved ones.
• A light-hearted original skit that imagined three famous composers with writer’s block gathering for inspiration.
• A performance highlighting the strength of women in the Bible.
• A variety of musical performances.
The event offered residents the opportunity “to see each person as a unique individual with a unique story to tell,” says Gail Rottweiler, one of two residents who helped provide impetus for the festival, “and we expressed our creativity in more ways than we could have imagined. Our stories matter and people are open to hearing them.”
University of Baltimore Associate Professor Ian Power composed an original piece weaving together residents’ recorded voices with live and recorded music. The composition premiered at the festival’s finale.
Charles E. Smith
Board Of Governors 2023-2025
OFFICERS
Natalie S. West Chair
Kenneth H. Becker Chair-Elect
Jeffrey S. Puretz
Immediate Past Chair
GOVERNORS
Jeffrey S. Distenfeld
Lenore A. England
Alan M. Freeman
Harry A. Harrison Treasurer / Vice Chair, Finance
David S. Karp Secretary
Alison S. Baraf Vice Chair, Resource Development
Mark A. Becker Chair, Housing Boards
Scott N. Brody Chair, CESLC Trustee Funds, Inc.
Arthur J. Dykes Vice Chair, Audit
Eric G. Meyers Vice Chair, Strategic Planning
Paula H. Robinson Vice Chair, Quality of Care
Andrew S. Friedlander*
Samantha Gordon
Jeffrey J. Pargament*
Past Presidents And Chairs
Bernard Danzansky z”l
Morris Garfinkle z”l
Harry Sherby z”l
Jacob Eisman z”l
Charles E. Goldsmith z”l
Harry Lewis, M.D. z”l
Hymen Goldman z”l
Burnette Simon z”l
Simon Hirshman z”l
Charles E. Smith z”l
Samuel P. Cohen z”l
Hyman Berman z”l
George Hurwitz z”l
Leonard I. Abel z”l
Jonathan S. England z”l
Joseph B. Gildenhorn
Samuel R. Dweck z”l
N. Paul Berlin z”l
Jerome W. Golomb z”l
Elliott I. Pollock z”l
Jacqueline M. Rams
Aaron M. Rulnick
Gary B. Saffitz
Matthew D. Schwartz
Marc F. Solomon
Mitchell A. Yentis
*as of April 2024
Ralph H. Deckelbaum z”l
Edward M. Statland z”l
David W. Rutstein
Brenda H. Guritzky z”l
Donald J. Garner
Paul M. Yentis
Ronald D. West
Morris Dweck
Irving P. Cohen
Ivan B. Silverman
Arthur J. Dykes
Hanita Schreiber z”l
David A. Samuels
Andrew S. Friedlander
Marc F. Solomon
Joseph B. Hoffman z”l
Alan M. Freeman
Eric G. Meyers
z”l — Of Blessed Memory
Boards and Advisory Committees
CESLC SENIORCARE VENTURES, LLC
Kenneth H. Becker, Chair
Jeffrey S. Puretz, Vice Chair
Samantha Gordon, Secretary
David Antonelli
Steven Bernstein
Ira W. Lieberman
Jeffrey J. Pargament
CHARLES E. SMITH LIFE COMMUNITIES TRUSTEE FUNDS, INC.
Scott N. Brody, Chair
David Antonelli
Irving P. Cohen
Andrew B. Cohn
Arthur J. Dykes
Andrew S. Friedlander
Jared Marx
Eric G. Meyers
Brett A. Monsein
Jeffrey S. Puretz
David A. Samuels
Natalie S. West
Jeffrey S. Yentis
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Alison S. Baraf, Co-Chair
Natalie S. West, Co-Chair
Carolyn G. Eichberg
Jacqueline M. Rams
Paula H. Robinson
Gary B. Saffitz
David A. Samuels
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
Russell C. Minkoff, Chair
Richard S. Cohen
Sybil Freedman
Mitchell A. Yentis
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Harry A. Harrison, Chair
Jack W. Abel
Jeffrey S. Distenfeld
Arthur J. Dykes
Samuel B. Philipson
Isaac M. Reitberger
Aaron M. Rulnick
Natalie S. West
Jeffrey S. Yentis
LANDOW HOUSE & COHEN-ROSEN HOUSE BOARD, REVITZ HOUSE BOARD, RING HOUSE BOARD
Mark A. Becker, Chair
Richard S. Cohen
Alan M. Freeman
Michael Hirsch
Ian Joseph
David S. Karp
Benjamin Levy
Eric G. Meyers
Seth J. Meyers
Isaac M. Reitberger
Matthew D. Schwartz
Mitchell A. Yentis
Natalie S. West, Ex Officio
QUALITY OF CARE COMMITTEE
Paula H. Robinson, Chair
Jean Jones
Samantha Gordon
Marsha J. Seidelman, M.D.
Natalie S. West, Ex Officio
RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Alison S. Baraf, Chair
Jeffrey S. Distenfeld
Carolyn G. Eichberg
Alan M. Freeman
Allan R. Hurwitz
Jeffrey J. Pargament
Vivian L. Pollock
Jacqueline M. Rams
Paula H. Robinson
David A. Samuels
Marc F. Solomon
Natalie S. West
SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE
Rabbah Arlene Berger, Chair
Rabbi David Balto
Victoria Clayton
Eileen Gross
Reverend Alfred S. Jordan
Rabbi Evan J. Krame
Louis M. Numkin
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
Eric G. Meyers, Chair
Kenneth H. Becker
Jeffrey S. Distenfeld
Lenore A. England
David Florin
Frederic Jacobs
Jeffrey S. Puretz
Aaron M. Rulnick
Matthew D. Schwartz
Marc F. Solomon
Natalie S. West
Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Inc. Operating Results
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024
Results
do not
Charles E. Smith Life Communities Operating Revenue and Expenses
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024
REVENUES
Leading with Impact
The President’s Circle recognizes donors who contribute $6,000 or more annually, providing vital support to enhance the lives of those we serve at Charles E. Smith Life Communities. Members enjoy a deeper connection to CESLC through personalized updates, exclusive opportunities, and our annual President’s Circle dinner—hosted at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., in 2024.
President’s Circle members have taken a leadership role in ensuring our community’s future.
2024 President’s Circle Donors
Anonymous (4)
Gary and Pennie Abramson
Charitable Foundation
Martin Auerbach
Nora Bailey and James E. Lurie
Arlene and Kenneth Becker
Cheryl Baraf and Dr. Herbert S. Baraf
Diane and Mark Becker
Carol and Gary Berman
The Estate of Anne Bord
Irving P. Cohen
Janet and Michael Cornfeld
Drs. Joanne and Frank Crantz
Vera Deckelbaum z”l
Walter and Sarah Diener Foundation Inc.
Marilyn z”l and Frederick z”l Cohen
Janice Cohen and Mark Sager
Jeffrey Cohen
Sophie, Eric, Eli, and Abbi Shpritz
Samantha Shpritz and Karl Noyes
Yvonne and Jeffrey Distenfeld
Eileen and Arthur Dykes
Elno Family Foundation
Moe and Kathy Dweck
Susan Dweck
Elana Dweck and Amit Synderman
Kristen and Noah Dweck
Jonathan S. and Patricia G.
England Foundation
Lenore A. England
Alvin and Louella Epstein Foundation
Dorothy Fabricant Memorial Fund
Marlin and David Feldman
Brenda and Jack Feldman
Susan and David Fink
Gildenhorn Speisman Family Foundation, Inc.
Nancy and Dalbert Ginsberg
The Estate of Lawrence Glick
Glickfield Family Foundation
Dr. Carolyn G. Eichberg and Mr. Seth D. Greenstein
The Estate of Hazel Groman
Florence Hein z”l
Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein
Sari Hornstein
Irene and Edward H. Kaplan
Jerome A. Kaplan and Deena L. Kaplan Family Foundation
David S. Karp
Kay Family Foundation, Inc.
Marilyn Kessler z”l
Marlene Kirsch
Kay and John Kyle
Gary Laden z”l
Andrea LaRue and Matthew Schwartz
Simon & Rosa Laupheimer
Designated Memorial Fund
Bruce J. Lederman
Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation
Bruce and Karen Levenson
Jolie and Neil Markus
State of Maryland
Amy and Alan Meltzer
Meyer Bobrow Family Foundation, Inc.
Susan and Eric Meyers
Polly and Manny Miller
Montgomery County Council
The Morningstar Foundation
Susie and Michael Gelman
Northern Trust
Jeffrey and Jill Pargament
Teresa and Jeffrey Puretz
Paula and Bruce Robinson
Robert G. Rothstein
Carolyn and David Ruben
Alisa and Aaron Rulnick
Lori and Gary Saffitz
William Schneider
The Sephardic Foundation on Aging
Carol and Douglas Sherman
The Estate of Maria Spatz
The Estate of Marek Spatz
David S. Stone Foundation, Inc.
Lorraine and Fred Sulmer
Unidine Corporation
George Wasserman Family Foundation
Dorothy and Jay Weinstein
Natalie and Eric West
David Samuels, Tenley Carp, Natalie West and Marcella and Neil Cohen at the 2024 President’s Circle dinner.
2024 Donors
CESLC is thankful for the support of families, individuals, foundations and organizations.
$100,000+
The Estate of Anne Bord
The Estate of Lawrence Glick
The Estate of Hazel Groman
Jerome A. Kaplan and Deena L. Kaplan Family Foundation
The Estate of Marek Spatz
The Estate of Maria Spatz
Amy Weinberg and Norbert Hornstein
Lauren Latessa, founder and executive director of Iris Music Project and cellist of the Iris Piano Trio, shares the gift of music with a resident at Hebrew Home of Greater Washington.
$50,000+
Anonymous (2)
Nora Bailey and James E. Lurie
Montgomery County Council
The Sephardic Foundation on Aging
$25,000+
Martin Auerbach
Walter and Sarah Diener Foundation Inc.
Marilyn z”l and Frederick z”l Cohen
Janice Cohen and Mark Sager
Jeffrey A. Cohen
Sophie, Eric, Eli, and Abbi Shpritz
Samantha Shpritz and Karl Noyes
Jonathan S. and Patricia G. England Foundation
Lenore A. England
Florence Hein z”l
Sari Hornstein
Irene and Edward H. Kaplan
Kay Family Foundation, Inc.
The Estate of Marilyn Kessler
The Morningstar Foundation
Susie and Michael Gelman
Northern Trust
Teresa and Jeffrey Puretz
Carol and Douglas Sherman
2024 Donors (continued)
$10,000+
Anonymous
Gary and Pennie Abramson
Charitable Foundation
Carol and Gary Berman
Vera Deckelbaum z”l
Yvonne and Jeffrey Distenfeld
Elno Family Foundation
Moe and Kathy Dweck
Susan Dweck
Elana Dweck and Amit
Synderman
Kristen and Noah Dweck
Alvin and Louella Epstein Foundation
Dorothy Fabricant Memorial Fund
Susan and David Fink
Gildenhorn Speisman Family Foundation, Inc.
Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation
Jolie and Neil Markus
Amy and Alan Meltzer
Meyer Bobrow Family Foundation, Inc.
Susan and Eric Meyers
Jeffrey and Jill Pargament
Paula and Bruce Robinson
David S. Stone Foundation, Inc.
Unidine Corporation
George Wasserman Family Foundation
Dorothy and Jay Weinstein
Natalie and Eric West
$5,000+
Anonymous (4)
Meryl and Jack Abel
Cheryl Baraf and Dr. Herbert S. Baraf
Karen and Barry Barbash
Arlene and Kenneth Becker
Diane and Mark Becker
Karen and Steve Blomberg
John S. Boyd
The Norman and Florence Brody
Family Foundation, Inc.
Amy and Scott Brody
Irving P. Cohen
Janet and Michael Cornfeld
Drs. Joanne and Frank Crantz
Dorothy Dickman Trust
Eileen and Arthur Dykes
The Irwin and Ginny Edlavitch Foundation, Inc.
Marlin and David Feldman
Brenda and Jack Feldman
Alan and Esther Fleder Foundation
Gail S. Fleder
Tracey and Andrew Friedlander
Nancy and Dalbert Ginsberg
Glickfield Family Foundation
Dr. Carolyn G. Eichberg and Mr. Seth D. Greenstein
Sara R. Harris
Janet Hirshberg and N. Richard Janis
Jewish Community Foundation
David S. Karp
Marlene Kirsch
Kay and John Kyle
Gary Laden z”l
Andrea LaRue and
Matthew Schwartz
Simon & Rosa Laupheimer
Designated Memorial Fund
Bruce J. Lederman
Bruce and Karen Levenson
Melrod Family Charitable Foundation
“I married into a family that was deeply involved with Hebrew Home, and I found its mission compelling. Serving on the Board and various committees deepened my appreciation for its impact. Together, we helped shape its evolution, and we have taken great pride in seeing it grow into Charles E. Smith Life Communities.”
— Barbara Hurwitz
Natalie West and Barbara Hurwitz
Charles E. Smith Life Communities
Polly and Manny Miller
Melanie F. Nussdorf
Toni and Ronald Paul
Harold Plotnek Charitable Foundation
Diane and Arnold Polinger
Jessica Pollner
Roberta I. Pollock
RFI Foundation
Susan and Joshua Rales
Robert G. Rothstein
Carolyn and David Ruben
Alisa and Aaron Rulnick
Lori and Gary Saffitz
William Schneider
Lorraine and Fred Sulmer
Meredith and Jeffrey Yentis
$2,500+
Anonymous
Wendi and Daniel Abramowitz
Harry A. and Paula W. Harrison
Aronson Foundation
Paula and Harry Harrison
Deborah and David Astrove
Pamela Auerbach and Douglas Feith
Alison Baraf and Aryeh Portnoy
Donald and Dorothy Berlin
Bernstein Family Foundation
Adam K. Bernstein
Eugena B. Blythe
Philip and Faith Bobrow
Elizabeth A. Brackett
Devon and William Burak
Manon Butt
Lewis and Arleen Citren
Michelle and Michael Citren
Gwendolyn and Edmund Cohen
Andrew B. Cohn
Babs Eisman
Jacqueline and Aaron Epstein z”l
JoEllen K. Fishman
Elinor and Michael Flyer
Carol and Arthur Freeman
Arlene Friedlander
Glenna and Donald Frost
Dr. Elisa Gil-Pires and Rui Pires
Nina and Sol Glasner
Barbara K. Gordon
Samantha and Jonathan Gordon
Darian Drescher and Thomas Gordon
Kenneth N. Greenberg
Lana H. Halpern
Nancy and John Harris
Dorothy-Anne E. Held
Shirley Horn
Melissa and Michael Hurwitz
Jean M. Jones
Jill and Frederick Klein
Mimi and Michael Kress
Helene and Barry Mankowitz
Holly and Brad Mendelson
Michael W. Miller
Sheryl and Lee Miller
Stephen B. Miller
Past Presidents Club of Women’s Auxiliary
Samuel B. Philipson
Julie Polinger and Zachary Friedlis
Rockefeller Global Family Office
Jane L. Rosov
Mindy and Yoram Rubanenko
Tenley Carp and David Samuels
Roberta and Lawrence Shulman
The Carlynn and Lawrence
Silverman Family Foundation Inc.
Amy and Barry Dickstein
Lisa and Bruce Harwood
Carlynn Silverman
David A. Sislen
Lynn Shapiro Snyder and Jeffrey M.
Snyder Family Foundation, Inc.
Terri Tanner-Hill
Irene and Alan Wurtzel
Senior Rabbi/ Director of Spiritual Life Daniel Braune-Friedman provides spiritual guidance, meaningful traditions and compassionate support to our community throughout the year.
$1,800+
Ava Abramowitz and Neil Rackham
Ari and David Antonelli
Arlene and Robert Begelman
Lisa and Joshua Bernstein
Lynn and Wolf Blitzer
Nancy Gewirz
Ilene Gordon and Marc Bassin
J. Ted Gumer and Sylvia Doyle
Ellen and Allen Joseph
Mark S. Kahan
Leslie and Samuel Kaplan
Family Foundation
Leslie and Samuel Kaplan
Nimalka and Richard King
Arlene and Robert Kogod
Pearl and Gary Lake
Barbara S. Landow
Valerie and Daniel Lederberg
Alexander V. Lewin
Sandy and Elliot Liss
Debra and Harold Luks
McKinsey & Company
Lee Michaels
Gary S. Mintz
Amy Platnick
Cheryl and Richard Rhodes
Andrew and Stacy Rosen
Anne M. Rosensky
Carrie and Matt Ward
Donna and Leonard Wartofsky
Sylvia Horwitz and Dov Neil Weitman
2024 Donors (continued)
$1,000+
Anonymous (3)
Gail and Keith Allen
2024 CESLC ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR (NON-CLINICAL)
“My motto in life is to give joy, respect and understanding. I have the desire to always come to the rescue and this resonates in people’s hearts. They smile, and forget about their own troubles, illnesses, worries, age. It’s very important for me to see people happy and enjoying life.”
–
Raisa Tselenchuk, Russian Coordinator
Clement and Sandra Alpert
Designated Endowment Fund
Maxine G. Altman
Deborah and Rob Amchin
The Amity Club of Washington
Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Barbara and Scott Anenberg
Lucy Arkin
Gloria Paul and Robert Atlas
Marc Bastow and Nancy Binnie
Risa Bender and Benjamin Klubes
Gail and Howard Benensohn
Judith and David Bernanke
Carla Bertocci
Block and Popick Family Foundation
Dorothy Block
Nappy and Steven Block
Linda Wu and Moshe Bregman
Gerald and Caryl Brody
Mindy Burke
Danielle and James Carr
Judy and Richard S. Cohen
Jillian and Scott Copeland
Sophie Cozier
Harold R. and Donna Cramer
Madeline and Steven D’Alessio
Starr and Fred Ezra
Bobbi L. Fagan
David and Eve Farber
Mark B. Feldman
Elaine Feidelman and Irwin Shuman
Candace Kovacic-Fleischer and Walter Fleischer
Winnie Hahn and Jack Flyer
Andee and Jonathan Forster
Hilary and Norman Freidkin
Anita and Michael Froehlich
Robin Glantz and Anthony Ciccone
Cynthia and Leonard Glassman
Rodney Golden
Colonel Levi Goldfarb USAF (Ret.)
Sarah and Peter Goldman
Donald E. Goodman
James T. Gordon
Michael A. Gordon
Eva Green and Dwight Anderson
Janice and Richard Grossman
Herbert Halperin
Mary Hammer
Jonathan E. Hardis
Michael Hirsch
Philip R. Hochberg
Carol and Lawrence Horn
Barbara and Allan Hurwitz
Brandi Hurwitz
Gary S. and Laurie F. Hurvitz
Debbie and Kenneth Jaffe
Leslie and Martin Janis
Barbara Kammerman and Frido van Kesteren
Marian and Barry Kaufman
Allyn E. Kilsheimer
Judith L. Kirsch
Debbie and Terry Korth
Diane Lane
Michelle and Stephen Grayson
Sheila and Donald Leiss
LF Foundation
Ira W. Lieberman
Harriet Lipkin and Chris Sautter
Gary W. London z”l
Jay H. Lubin
The Mary Daly MacFarland
Foundation
Wendy and Bruce Wilson
Philip N. Margolius
Hannah and Michael Mazer
Judith Mehlman
Debra and Bruce Mendelsohn
Judith R. Messing
Joel D. Moss
Ruth and David Naftaly
Carole and John Nannes
Betty Ollila and Roland Levandowski
Linda and Mark Packman
Esther and Albert Perry
Susan and Arnold Quint
Jacqueline M. Rams
Rhoda Ritzenberg and Kenneth Heitner
Norman E. Rosenthal
Bonnie and Barry Rubinstein
Adrienne A. Rulnick and Rabbi Arthur Rulnick
Vadi Samadpour
Phyllis and Ray Scalettar
Susan and Michael Scheffres
Ann Scher
The JV Schiro Zavela Foundation
Jean Schiro-Zavela and Vance Zavela
Selma Schlenoff
Jean and Matt Schlesinger
Liz Schrayer and Jeff Schwaber
Ann R. Schwartz
Dr. Marsha J. Seidelman and Mr. Gerald M. Scheinman
Robert and Vicki Selzer
Madelyn R. Shapiro
Irene Small
Ina A. Smith-Tornberg
Sharon Siegel and Arnold Spevack
Veronique and Lucien Sriqui
Stein, Sperling, Bennett, DeJong, Driscoll P.C.
Karen and Scott Stempel
Judith and Richard Sugarman
Richard and Monica Sussman
Joseph R. Takats Foundation
Barbara and Larry Teitel
Tomares Family Foundation
Kathleen and Jonathan Tomares
Marjorie and Brian Tommer
Sandra and Peter Tropper
Isador & Bessie Turover
Philanthropic Fund
Melvin Victor
Irene and William Wallert
Roslyn and Paul Weinstein
Anita and Robert Wellen
Phyllis and Ronald West
Steve and Tal Widdes
Robert J. Wilensky
Ellen and Bruce Winston
Marilynn and Paul Yentis
Ava and Allen Zweig
$500+
Anonymous (2)
Joy Abel and Matt Morley
Frieda Achtentuch and Jerrold Cohen
Acme Paper & Supply Co, Inc.
Adat Shalom Congregation
Rabbi Frederick Scherlinder Dobb and Minna Scherlinder Morse
Amalgamated Foundation
Cheryl Amitay
Stephen Amitay
Rae Shelley Amsellem
Frederick S. Ansell
Estelle Apelberg
Joel D. Aron
“CESLC profoundly improves quality of life in Montgomery County by providing senior living with a wide range of services. As a physician and member of the SeniorCare Ventures Board, I’ve seen firsthand the invaluable, individualized care SmithLife Homecare provides—whether it’s supporting people as they recover after hospitalization or assisting them with activities of daily living. It’s rewarding to be part of an organization where we can see the impact of our support on so many, right here in our own community.”
— Steven Bernstein, M.D.
Carolyn and Steven Bernstein
Charles E. Smith Life Communities
2024 Donors (continued)
Carole and Matthew Ash
Naomi and David Balto
Nancy A. Becker
Marilyn and Sidney Bender
Barbara A. Berger
Mary Bernstein-Hunter
Anne M. Bishop
Shelley and Joe Brodecki
Julie and Jerome Brookler
Lotte Buff z”l
Lora and Gary Byala
Elyse Carter
Samuel A. Chaitovitz
Bruce and Christine Cheson
Cheryl and Sheldon Cohen
Cirrelda Cooper and Frank Berkowitz
Beth G. Diamond and Blair Berman
Margery Elfin
Jeremy Epstein
Ruth and David Epstein
Joseph D. Feifer
Joanne Fisher
Sarajane Foster
Remy and Alan Freeman
Ethan Friedman
Marcy and Brian Frosh
Libby and Uri Gabriel
Nicole and Jeffrey Geifman
Susan and Michael Gerecht
Adrianne and Stephen Gershberg
Gary Gilbert
Ellen Gleberman and David Laufer
David I. Goldberg
Diane and Israel Goldberg
Elissa and Saul Goldfarb
Philip A. Goldman
Robert K. Goldman
Ellen L. Goldstein
Jack N. Goodman
Deacon James J. Gorman
Susan and Richard Gorsky
Margery and Philip Gottfried
Julie Granof
Selma and Joseph Greenberg
Jeffrey N. Greenblatt
Patricia M. Greenwel
Ellen and Lawrence Gross
Rose C. Grossman
Laura and John Hannah
Robin and Fred Hassani
Claudia and Thomas Henteleff
Mindy Herzfeld and David Eisenman
Lois S. Hollander
Janet Holton and Philip Haber
Joyce B. Isaacson
Trudy and Howard Jacobson
Anne Jarrett and Shelley Honikman
Marcia J. Jeffries
Deborah and Mark Joseph
Bryna and Sheldon Kahalas
Donald and Marcia Kaplan
Mayanne S. Karmin
Rachel and Joseph Katz
Roberta and Stephen Kauffman
Nancy J. Kippenhan
Lynn and Mark Klaiman
Senator Sandra Kronsberg and Jerry Salka
Stuart Kurlander and David Martin
Arlene and Herb Kushner
Tanya and Albert Lampert
Patricia Lark and Lutz Prager
Tim Lavender
Amy and Michael Lenkin
Jon and Aliza Lerner
Dianne and Herbert Lerner
Frances and David Levin
Lori and Stuart Levin
“For more than three decades, it has been my pleasure to support CESLC— following in the footsteps of my mother, a lifelong supporter. Like so many other multi-generational supporters here, we share a deep belief in the importance of caring for older adults with dignity and respect.”
–Joanne Crantz
Frank and Joanne Crantz
Charles E. Smith
2024 CESLC ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR (CLINICAL)
Rhoda and Aaron Levine
Susan Levine
Benjamin and Sydney Levy
Yelena Lipnik and Ilya Strongin
Jane and Robert Loeffler
Patricia Y. Love
Rachel Malkin
Jody and Jack Manischewitz
Ellen and Kenneth Marks
Sylvia and Dan McCormick
Rabbi James Michaels z”l and Karen Michaels
Karen and Douglas Monsein
Cheryl and Stephen Mordfin
Morranne Corporation
Jennifer and Carson Murray
Jill D. Myers
Virginia W. Newmyer
Sandra Perlstein and Rabbi Sidney Schwarz
Geraldine F. Pilzer
Delores Y. Pinkney
Marilyn and Ira Polon
Toby Port and Jeffrey Ahl
Mindy and Charles Postal
Deborah and Juan Prawda
Carol and Lionel Rabin
Karen Rabin and Steven Deichman
Lauren and James Ramenofsky
Barbara Retorick
Patrice and Ira Rheingold
Irene Ritz
Patricia and James Ritzenberg
Debra and Steven Robins
Lori and Bob Rodman
Faith Roessel and Matthew Slater
Martha Rosenfeld
Alan H. Rosenthal
Linda Rosenzweig and Sander Bieber
Louis A. Ross
Karen and Richard Rothman
Joan Schaffer and Edward Comer
Elana and Jonathan Schanzer
Beatrice and Edward Schiff
Susan and Steven Schiffman
Rabbi Jonathan and Beverly Schnitzer
Sandra and Julian Schraibman
Carol S. Schuffler
Judith B. Schwadron
Margot E. Schwadron
Daniel M. Schwartz
Paul J. Seidman
Leslie C. and Leonard A. Shapiro
Family Foundation, Inc.
Jasmin Shen
“What inspires me most is the sense of family and purpose I feel every day. After 44 years, Hebrew Home is more than just where I work, it’s where I connect deeply with people who matter. I find joy in being a steady presence for our residents, offering kindness, comfort and care in ways that truly make a difference.”
– Betty Graham, Unit Secretary
Cheryl R. Shensa
Beverly and Harlan Sherwat
Russell Shulman
Bena G. Siegel
Frederic R. Siegel
Elana Silversmith and Josh Friedson
Jerome Sobel z”l
Barbara Sonies and Harvey Kupferberg
Beverly Spector
Amy and David Stampfer
Rita and Chester Stein
Jane C. Stieber
Avy T Stock
Bonnie Suchman and Bruce Heppen
Peter J. Sufrin
Jessica Sunshine and Jeremy Selengut
Sheila E. Taube
Robin Thomashauer and David Florin
Lori and Leslie Ulanow
Robin and Matthew Weinberg
Karen and James Whitman
Amanda Willett
Sylvia Wubnig z”l
Robin and Mitchell Yentis
Linda and Robert Youngentob
A Legacy of Generosity
CELEBRATING TWO BUILDERS OF THE FUTURE WHOSE GENEROSITY WILL BENEFIT GENERATIONS TO COME
MARIA AND MAREK SPATZ
This year, Charles E. Smith Life Communities was honored to receive a substantial estate gift from Maria and Marek Spatz, who had been consistent donors to CESLC’s direct mail campaigns for almost three decades prior to their deaths.
Dr. Maria Spatz was an esteemed American neuroscientist who passed away in 2024. Born in 1925 in Poland, she survived war-torn Warsaw during World War II and went on to become a senior scientist at the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Her husband Marek predeceased her in 2015. Originally from Ukraine, Marek escaped WWII to Russia. He immigrated to the U.S. with Maria and worked in engineering. She and Marek enjoyed hosting dinner parties for their friends and were strong supporters of the arts.
A beloved mentor, Maria was often surrounded by former postdocs and colleagues at professional meetings, reflecting the deep impact she had on those around her.
Maria and Marek’s generosity and vision will have a lasting impact at CESLC. Their commitment to science, mentorship and culture was mirrored by their steadfast support for our mission. Through their legacy gift, Maria and Marek will continue to enrich the lives of older adults for years to come. We are honored to celebrate their extraordinary lives and enduring kindness.
HAZEL A. GROMAN
Hazel A. Groman was a champion of environmental protection who passed away in early 2024, leaving a six-figure estate gift to CESLC. Over her long career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she earned numerous awards for her efforts to safeguard wetlands and ensure clean water. Her passion for advocacy extended beyond her profession, as she was also deeply involved with the National Council for Jewish Women and the DC Women's Bar Association.
Hazel’s connection to CESLC was personal and profound. Her mother, Mollie, resided at Hebrew Home in the early 2000s, and Hazel herself lived at Landow House from 2021 to 2024. She was a dedicated supporter of CESLC’s mission, serving on the Guardian Campaign Committee in 2019.
A devoted advocate and engaged community member, Hazel’s generosity will continue to make a meaningful difference. Her estate gift reflects her lifelong dedication to the causes she held dear, ensuring that her impact will be felt for generations. We are deeply grateful for her support and honored to preserve her legacy.
Builders of the Future
Anonymous (16)
Rachel Abraham
Martin Auerbach
Gail Becker
Gail G. and Howard S. Benensohn
Anne R. Bord z”l
Marsha and Kenneth A. Braunstein
Helene Brill
Irving P. Cohen
Jodi and Scott Cohen
Judy and Richard S. Cohen
Lucy Tan-Cohen and Mark B. Cohen
Rebecca Cook
Madeline and Steven D’Alessio
Ellen Davis and Myra Kaplan
Richard E. Dessel
Eileen and Arthur J. Dykes
Babs Eisman
Lenore A. England
Bobbi L. Fagan
Billie B. and Steven G. Fischer
JoEllen K. Fishman
Remy and Alan Freeman
Arlene Friedlander
Judith and Donald J. Garner
Lisa Wasserman Gill
Builders of the Future society members have created a legacy that lives on through their generosity. By including CESLC in their estate plans— whether through a will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy, brokerage or bank account, or a charitable gift annuity—they help ensure that future generations of older adults are empowered to lead their best lives with dignity and purpose. We are deeply grateful for these enduring and visionary commitments.
Lawrence Glick z”l
Waltraud and Sheldon A. Goldberg
Bettie E. Goldman
Sarah and Peter Goldman
Hazel Groman z”l
Mary K. Hanna
Joseph B. Hoffman z”l
Ulrike and Edward Jeffer
Rosalyn L. Jonas
Grace H. Lebow
Sheila and Donald Leiss
Dianne J. and Herbert J. Lerner
Stuart H. Lessans
Leslie and Richard Levine
Alan L. Meltzer
Susan and Eric Meyers
Stephen B. Miller
Gary M. Newman
Louis M. Numkin
Jill and Jeffrey Pargament
Judith R. Peres
Jennifer S. Reed
Susan L. Rolnick
Judith L. Rosenthal
Jane L. Rosov
Rena and David Rutstein
Lori and Gary Saffitz
David A. Samuels
Morjean and Sheldon Samuels
Susan L. Samuels
Sherrie and Lawrence M. Sauer
Marilyn Schimpf and Sheldon Lampert
Rabbi Mordecai Schreiber and Hanita Schreiber z”l
Becky and Ted Schumacher
Daniel M. Schwartz
Vicki and Robert Selzer
Jill N. Shaffer
Maria Spatz z”l and Marek Spatz z”l
Pamela and John Spears
Sharon R. Siegel and Arnold D. Spevack
Joan and Robert Spirtas
Sidney M. Stahl
Marcia Sternfeld
Jane C. Stieber
Lorraine and Fred Sulmer
Rowena W. Swanson
Dr. Sheila R. Weinberg z”l
Harry Weintrob
Ronald D. West
Eric P. Zatman
The Guardian Campaign
The Guardian Campaign is grounded in the tradition of community support. Every year since 1958, members of the Guardian Campaign Committee have appealed to the community to ensure that the older adults who call our campus home live active and meaningful lives through the best in nursing and rehabilitative care, engaging programs and spiritual enrichment.
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED IN 2024: $1,236,936
NUMBER OF DONORS: 358
2024 Guardian Campaign Committee
Jeffrey J. Pargament, Co-Chair
Eric H. West, Co-Chair
Kenneth H. Becker
Mark A. Becker
Amy Brody
Scott N. Brody
Jeffrey S. Distenfeld
Morris Dweck
Arthur J. Dykes
Carolyn G. Eichberg
Lenore A. England
Gail S. Fleder
David Florin
Andrew S. Friedlander
Arlene Friedlander
Thomas Gordon
Gary W. London z”l
Eric G. Meyers
Sheryl R. Miller
Jeffrey S. Puretz
Aaron M. Rulnick
Gary B. Saffitz
Lori K. Saffitz
David A. Samuels
Matthew D. Schwartz
Marc F. Solomon
Natalie S. West
Steven A. Widdes
“We were honored to serve as co-chairs of the 2024 Guardian Campaign because we believe deeply in the mission of Charles E. Smith Life Communities. The care, respect and sense of community provided to residents make a meaningful difference every day. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside other members of the Guardian Campaign Committee to create a lasting impact for the residents who call CESLC home.”
— Jeffrey Pargament and Eric West, 2024 Guardian Campaign Co-Chairs
Jeffrey Pargament and Eric West
Charles E. Smith Life Communities
Endowed and Designated Funds
ENDOWED FUNDS
Cecile and Seymour Alpert, MD, Fund
Irwin H. Ardam Resident Care Fund
Harry, Florence, Libby, and Seymour Baden Family Fund
Freda Barsky Grounds Beautification Fund
Anne B. and Harry I. Blum Music Fund
Anne and Ned Bord Resident Care Fund
Norman and Henrietta Braunstein
Nursing Scholarship Fund
Morris and Helen Cladny Memorial Fund
Marilyn and Frederick Cohen Fund for Resident Activities
Henrietta and Denis Cooper Resident Care Fund
Idalee and Jack Diener Resident Activities Fund
Mitchell Dobbin Rehabilitation Equipment Fund
Samuel R. and Rena Dweck Holiday Activities Fund
William, Anna, and David Feingold Resident Care Fund
Dr. Eric Fischer Cultural and Recreation Fund
Jess and Mildred Fisher Family Resident Care Fund
Alan and Esther Fleder Fund
Florence J. Shaffer Fund
Adelaide Friedlander Cultural Arts Fund
Rae Friedman Medical Equipment Fund
Rose and Morris Friss Scholarship Fund
Ellen Gelman Special Exhibitions Fund
Hymen and Sadie Goldman Memorial Fund
Greta and Peter Goldman Staff Training Fund
Grimaldi-Cohen Staff Appreciation Fund
Betty Grossman Memorial Fund
Harris and Yetta Hacken Memorial Fund
Haft Resident Care Fund
Leonard and Shirley P. Hardis Research Fund
Alexander and Sylvia Hassan Staff Scholarship Fund
Stanley Hayman Fund for Excellence in Resident Care
Helen Greenfield - Marilyn Kessler Resident Care Fund
Simon and Elizabeth Hirshman Resident Care Fund
Dr. Saul Holtzman Resident Care Fund
Bess Hormats Fund
George and Tess Hurwitz Fund
Blanche and Jacob Kammen Music Fund
Eva Karasik and Anne Bloom Medical Equipment Fund
Rose and Garfield Kass Staff Scholarship Fund
Celia Katz Nursing Scholarship Fund
Max and Sara Katz Recreation Fund
Helen and Joseph A. Kaufmann Resident Care Fund
Pauline and Sol Kempler Staff Development Fund
Erna and Karl Koranyi Medical Equipment Fund
Morris and Sylvia Krucoff Medical Equipment Fund
Eunice Kullen Occupational Therapy Fund
Martha and Lou Ledeen Social Services Fund
Sara and Samuel J. Lessans Fund
Sonia Levine Resident Care Fund
Lieberman-Levine Resident Care Fund
Ruth and Eugene Love Fund
Irving and Harriet Malitson Resident Activities Fund
Charles and Mollie Merican Fund
Alvin I. Miller Resident Activities Fund
Reuben and Ethel Mirin Cultural and Recreation Fund
NCJW, DC, Resident Activities Fund
Sylvia B. Nelson Memorial Resident Care Fund
Numkin-Knoblauch Family Fund
Vivian and Elliott Pollock Fund for Special Needs
Giulio and Marcella Oreffice Special Needs Fund
Libby and Louis Pohoryles Resident Care Fund
Polsby Art Therapy Fund
Paula Rapp Resident Care Fund
Harold and Shirley Robinson Youth Philanthropy Fund
Doris and Philip R. Rolnick Resident Care Fund
Saffitz Family Fund for Healthy Campus Living
Dorothy Sauber Staff Scholarship Fund
Ann Rich Schaffer Resident Care Fund
Samuel and Clara Schloss Employee Holiday Gift Fund
Sophie Schulman Revitz Social Hour Fund
Yetta Backover and Isadore Schwartz Resident Care Fund
Rabbi Harry Silverstone Religious Education Fund
Charles E. Smith Family Foundation Fund
Harry L. Sotzsky Memorial Resident Activities Fund
Orren F. Stein Fund
Gerald and Deana Stempler Fund
Sylvia Wolf Traub Musical Activities Fund
Selma Edlavitch/Ralph Tyser Memory Care Fund
George and Janice Wasserman Building Endowment Fund
Samuel C. Weinberg Resident Care Fund
Leon and Roggie Weinraub Resident Care Fund
Shulamith Weisman Resident Activities Fund
Carole, Donald, and Peter Weiss Recreation Therapy Fund
Ethel and Howard Werbel Resident Care Fund
Joseph L. Winberg Resident Care Fund
Hebrew Home Women’s Auxiliary Fund
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Barbara R. Cohen Music Fund
Jonathan S. and Patricia G. England CESLC Innovation Fund
Dr. Stuart H. Lessans Cognitive Health Fund
The Harold and Shirley Robinson Hebrew Home Youth Philanthropy Program
The Harold and Shirley Robinson Hebrew Home Youth Philanthropy (H2YP) Program empowers local high school students to explore the values of compassion, community and giving through a hands-on introduction to philanthropy. Participants engage in an immersive curriculum that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the wide range of services offered on our campus. As part of the program, students serve as grantmakers— collaboratively reviewing proposals and awarding funding to initiatives that directly enhance the lives of our residents. Through H2YP, the next generation of changemakers gains a deeper understanding of older adults’ needs and the power of purposeful giving.
Bryan Berman
Lauren Berman
Skylar Cohen
Sienna Friedson
GiGi Gordon
Alexa Greenstein
Tyler Portnoy
Bennett Richman
Jack Rosenstein
Leah Rosenstein
David Schanzer
Zachary Schanzer
2024 H2YP PARTICIPATING STUDENTS:
Charles E. Smith
Award-Winning Experiences
OUR HIGH STANDARDS AND THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO CARE RECEIVED TOP RECOGNITION IN 2024
Landow House and CohenRosen House earned a 2024 Silver National Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living.
Newsweek ranked Hebrew Home of Greater Washington as the top nursing home in the state of Maryland on its list of “America’s Best Nursing Homes” for 2025.
Hebrew Home of Greater Washington (HHGW) was named a 2025 Best Nursing Home for LongTerm Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report.
Charles E. Smith Life Communities achieved Platinum-level certification from SAGECare, a division of SAGE, the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults.
CESLC earned 2024 Best 55+ Community, Best Homecare (SmithLife Homecare), Best Independent Living (Ring House) and Best Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Care (Hebrew Home of Greater Washington) awards from Washington Jewish Week.
Five-Star Rating
Hebrew Home of Greater Washington earned a Five-Star Overall Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
