inspire Winter 2022

inspire

Caring for the Caregivers

ApublicationforHebrewSeniorLifesupporters

Inspire ispublishedby HebrewSeniorLife.

KatelynQuynn

ChiefDevelopmentOfficerand VicePresident,BoardRelations

KatelynQuynn@hsl.harvard.edu 617.363.8295

Stacey Weinbaum ExecutiveDirector,BoardRelations andEvents Weinbaum@hsl.harvard.edu 617.971.5790

TeresaV.Lisek DirectorofDevelopment TeresaVLisek@hsl.harvard.edu 617.971.5788

LauraKatzLeacu Director,InstitutionalGiving

LauraKatzLeacu@hsl.harvard.edu 617.971.5785

Marsha KatzSlotnick

SeniorMajorGiftsOfficer MSlotnick@hsl.harvard.edu 617.971.5784

Helaine Silverman

MajorGiftsOfficer HelaineSilverman@hsl.harvard.edu 617.971.5776

DebMayerson

MajorGiftsOfficer DeborahMayerson@hsl.harvard.edu 617.971.5777

AmandaLeberman

AssistantDirector,AnnualGiving

AmandaLeberman@hsl.harvard.edu 617.971.5792

With our seven-year campaign journey in its final year, I want to stress that we are extremely thankful for each and every gift. All gifts are important to the campaign’s success, and we welcome all kinds of support, including bequests.

Because of dedicated supporters like you, I am excited to report that our Age of Opportunity campaign has reached close to $115 million! We are 92% toward our goal of $125 million. This campaign is providing critical support for our organization while simultaneously enabling growth and innovation.

Participation in philanthropy has greatly increased at Hebrew SeniorLife. And I am so grateful that our Board and our trustees, four of whom are profiled in this issue, have been so involved with making our Age of Opportunity campaign a success. To learn more about the campaign, visit ageofopportunity.org.

As we approach the last phase of this important campaign, we will also be saying goodbye to our President and CEO Lou Woolf, who after 14 extraordinary years, will be retiring at the end of June 2023. Lou has guided us through many remarkable changes during his years here, and we will miss his guidance and his firm belief in helping seniors live their best lives.

Thank you again for your loyal support. We hope you will enjoy this issue of Inspire.

Katelyn Quynn Chief Development Officer Vice President, Board Relations

President and CEO Louis J. Woolf recently announced that he will retire at the end of June 2023. During his 14-year tenure at Hebrew SeniorLife, Lou oversaw a period of steady revenue growth. Notable accomplishments include establishing the Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health to tackle Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in an integrated way, significantly growing and diversifying the research portfolio of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and working to establish statewide COVID-19 guidelines for nursing homes, to name just a few things. A national search for the next President and CEO is being led by former HSL Board Chair and current Governance Committee Chair Jeff Drucker.

“Weare92% towardourgoal of$125million–allbecauseofyou!”

Talking with Lynda Bussgang about WelcomingVolunteersofAllAges

Lynda Bussgang is the Director of Volunteer, Youth, and Community Engagement for Hebrew SeniorLife, overseeing volunteer placement and multigenerational programming across the organization's six campuses. Lynda’s team designs innovative opportunities to welcome the Greater Boston community into Hebrew SeniorLife, and foster meaningful interactions across generations.

As founder of Hebrew SeniorLife’s Adam and Matan Adelson Multigenerational Program more than a decade ago, you have seen tremendous growth in our efforts to engage young people. What are you most excited about right now?

This fall, we have had a lot of energy and support from the community for the newly designed Volunteer, Youth, and Community Engagement department. I'm thrilled to have a full professional team ready to move things forward in the post-COVID era.

We had to pause during the pandemic, but we are building back the multigenerational programming to what it's been in the past, especially at the Rashi School, which has always been a celebrated partner. We're planning dozens of long-term programs with Rashi and other Greater Boston schools and youth organizations that are going to feel wonderful to our teachers, children, families, patients, and residents. After two years of very painful pandemic restrictions, we are eager to get back into the groove.

We are also working to realize the potential of an expanded volunteer program. I'm passionate about embracing the energy from the entire community to support and connect with older adults.

What originally inspired you to become involved in multigenerational outreach?

I spent a number of years with Facing History and Ourselves, which trains people to transfer the lessons of history to the next generation. That impacted me deeply, as I saw the transformational power of people of all ages experiencing life and history in a deeper way.

In 2007, my kids transferred to the Rashi School and in 2009, my in-laws moved into NewBridge on the Charles. As an educator, I was really interested in what it might mean to have K-12 students on the same campus as older adults. Hebrew SeniorLife was deeply committed to this partnership and they hired me for a few hours a week to build the relationship.

Thanks to the hard work of our staff and generous support of our donors, the program has grown and flourished. The success of our multigenerational programming is now spilling over into our overall volunteer programming. I couldn’t be more pleased.

How has your experience set the stage for this new, broader initiative?

The Volunteer, Youth, and Community Engagement department is now a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to use their passions, talents, and time to meaningfully connect with older adults.

As we broaden our scope, we are carrying on our successful hands-on volunteer engagement model, which was developed through the multigenerational program. We initiate a conversation with every new volunteer to understand their strengths and interests and match them with the needs of our community. For example, we can connect an adult volunteer who is savvy with technology to teaching seniors how to use their iPads.

Schools and youth organizations continue to be an enormous focus, but we now provide the same encouragement and support to all volunteers.

“I'mpassionate aboutembracing theenergy fromtheentire community tosupportand connectwitholder adults.”

GreatCareforSeniors StartswithGreatCare forEmployees

We’ve all heard this before at 30,000 feet, but seldom apply the principle to life on the ground — especially in the health care environment, where the urgent needs of patients often seem to outweigh staff needs for physical and emotional relief. This has never been truer than during the pandemic, which created an unprecedented time of heightened stress and exacerbated long-standing shortages of front-line staff.

Protecting the physical and emotional well-being of our hardworking employees has never been more important. We must do everything possible to maintain a positive work environment to prevent this crisis from undermining our ability to continue delivering excellent care and nurture those who give so much to care for our patients and residents.

Eight years ago, we signed on to the CEOs Against Stigma mental health campaign, which encourages open dialogue among employees about mental illness. We’ve had a long commitment to employee well-being, but have stepped up efforts because of the stress caused by the pandemic, racial trauma, and other issues.

To empower our staff and to give our seniors the excellent service they deserve, Dawn Damiano, Hebrew SeniorLife’s full-time director of employee wellness, coordinates a wide range of classes and services to promote healthy eating, exercise, and emotional health.

This year, Hebrew SeniorLife introduced the Stress First Aid program, a practical, peer-to-peer support model that empowers staff to manage stress and promote emotional well-being and mental health. Through a wide range of ongoing awareness campaigns and workshops, the program creates an environment where “it’s OK to not be OK” — from leadership to the front lines — and teaches staff to communicate more effectively about these issues by providing a common language and space for expression.

“Just in the months since we began the workshops, many employees are effectively using the Stress First Aid language — for example, using colors to describe their stress level — to express how they feel during meetings,” says Dawn. “Many new staff have shared how much they appreciate that Hebrew SeniorLife prioritizes their emotional health.”

Although Stress First Aid is new to our organization, it aligns seamlessly with Hebrew SeniorLife’s cultural values such as Succeeding Together, Speaking Up, and Asking What Matters. These guiding principles were developed more than 10 years ago to create a harmonious and productive work environment and have helped land Hebrew SeniorLife on the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work list four times.

Stress First Aid works in conjunction with a number of other Hebrew SeniorLife employee health initiatives such as our LiveWell program, which offers fitness and nutrition guidance through Virgin Pulse and 24/7 mental health support through the Ginger phone app. In addition, we recently renovated the employee gym at our Roslindale campus to provide convenient, no-cost exercise facilities for our staff.

“Many employees have shared that it is very difficult to find time to work out — especially direct-care staff, who work round-the-clock shifts,” says Dawn. “Hebrew SeniorLife’s wide-ranging wellness initiatives elevate us as a preferred place to work and go miles in retaining our valued staff.”

To learn how you can support employees through your giving, contact Teresa Lisek at 617-971-5788 or TeresaVLisek@hsl.harvard.edu.

Inspired by Compassion and Care

Hebrew SeniorLife Trustee Edward Feinberg, M.D., is an emeritus professor of ophthalmology with a warm demeanor and sincere concern for how older adults are cared for as they age. He and his wife Ruth Ann became supporters of Hebrew SeniorLife in 2011. Ruth Ann had two cousins who were cared for at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale. Both she and Ed were so moved by the outstanding care they received that they knew they wanted to support the organization.

“Our personal experience—how they were able to meet the needs of the entire family — was so impressive,” relates Ruth Ann. “The quality of care, from helping patients go to the synagogue to working with the family at every stage, is truly remarkable.”

As COVID-19’s effects became more apparent in 2021, the Feinbergs generously supported our relief efforts.

Ed’s involvement grew even more as he became a trustee in May 2021. He currently serves on the Quality and Safety committee, as he is particularly interested in fall and injury prevention. “This is extremely important to me,” he explains. “If we can prevent falls, we can keep a lot of individuals healthier… and happier,” adds Ed.

In January 2022 the Feinbergs made a generous campaign gift and named a patient room on the newly renovated sixth floor of the Berenson Allen building on the Boston campus. They are dedicated to helping us continue our work to revitalize our flagship campus, which is focused on personalized patient care in a home-like setting. Ruth Ann explains, “We wanted to do something to express our deep appreciation for the wonderful care that Hebrew SeniorLife delivers to its patients—and to the families involved with their patients.”

PartnersinVision

"It's really easy to do good when you're having fun doing it,” says Hebrew SeniorLife Trustee Matt Grosshandler. Matt and his wife, Brenda Laurenza, have been “having fun” with Hebrew SeniorLife for nearly 20 years now. They became involved in 2003, when Matt worked with Suffolk Construction on the NewBridge on the Charles campus.

Hebrew SeniorLife Board Member Jeff Drucker invited Matt to an event at his home, where he met other volunteer leaders. Matt joined Hebrew SeniorLife’s Men’s Associates and, in 2005, received the group’s “Rising Star” award.

He became a trustee in 2011, and has served on a variety of committees, including Real Estate and Senior Living. Matt left Suffolk Construction in 2011 to join Brenda in their new family business,

Bald Hill Builders, which involves creating innovative senior living options. They now help lead the field in building communities that offer real-life solutions for seniors.

“Hebrew SeniorLife’s campuses serve a very broad spectrum of people with different financial capacities and health issues,” says Matt. "One thing that Hebrew SeniorLife does really well is provide quality, consistent care to people of many different backgrounds."

These shared values make Hebrew SeniorLife a priority for Matt and Brenda in their philanthropy. “It’s because of this common vision that, in addition to our annual and campaign gifts, we have decided to give a legacy gift from our estate” says Matt. “It allows the organization to prepare for future generations.”

RuthFeinbergandTrusteeEdwardFeinberg BrendaLaurenzaandTrusteeMattGrosshandler

Sharing aCommitment to Kindness

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s Steve Meyer’s advice. He has served as an attorney and financial advisor to clients in the Boston area for more than 50 years. So, what does he say about Hebrew SeniorLife, where he has volunteered as a trustee since 1988?

“At Hebrew SeniorLife, the education and research is very exciting. And the fact that the organization is providing a very necessary service to the community is impressive,” says Steve. “But what is really unique about Hebrew SeniorLife is the people.”

It was one of Steve’s clients, the late Anna Ullian, who inspired him to become involved with Hebrew SeniorLife 40 years ago. Mrs. Ullian supported the organization’s nurse education efforts through her foundation, where Steve has served as attorney and trustee since its inception. “Since she has been gone, the other trustees and I have worked to honor Mrs. Ullian’s legacy, including attending nurse

scholarship graduation ceremonies. There is so much warmth and appreciation communicated at these events. We even get thank you notes,” Steve remarks.

“Through my involvement on the Investment Committee, I have witnessed a commitment to doing as much as possible with the funds entrusted to us. No matter what function they serve, people come to these roles with passion.”

Steve points out that this sense of commitment permeates the culture for the entire staff. “Hebrew SeniorLife staff are not just working at a job. They feel a sense of comradery with their colleagues and loyalty to the organization.

Above all, they care about the seniors they serve.”

To reflect his own commitment, Steve recently decided to include Hebrew SeniorLife in his estate. “There's a vibrancy at Hebrew SeniorLife, among all who are drawn to the organization.”

Supporting How Everyone CanAgeWell

Susan Ansin claims there's nothing notable about her story. She's just a girl from Altoona, Pennsylvania who, along with her husband, raised four kids and was a busy volunteer. "I'm just a normal person," she insists.

That's not quite true, of course. Susan earned a degree in political science from Smith College and worked as an assistant analyst at the U.S. Army War College with a small group of army colonels. Then, widowed as a young mother twice, Susan raised four children, all of whom went on to attend Ivy League universities and have successful families of their own. Despite the challenges of parenting solo, Susan managed to fulfill leadership positions for numerous Jewish organizations and service agencies as her children grew. Since 1991, she has served as a Hebrew SeniorLife trustee.

Susan first became involved when she moved from Altoona to Boston with her

second husband, Larry Ansin, whose mother had served on the Women's Auxiliary. Although Susan didn't know the first thing about senior care, her perspective as a newcomer highlighted Hebrew SeniorLife's excellence and uniqueness. “We didn't have anything like Hebrew SeniorLife in Altoona; nothingwithsuchawiderangeofofferings," she remembers.

Susan’s involvement includes volunteering with Hebrew SeniorLife's hospice program. She is also impressed by the nutrition research being done at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research. “I think getting the right nutrients becomes even more important as you age."

Most recently, Susan has been inspired to age well by her partner of 26 years, Joe LeBauer, a retired physician. Asked why others should get involved at Hebrew SeniorLife, Susan says, “It's maybe not something you can relate to now, but it's going to be you one day too."

TrusteeSteveMeyer TrusteeSusanAnsin

CelebratingOur NurseoftheYear

Ashiningexampleofourcaring, dedicatedstaff

Caring for people requires caring people. The senior care professionals at Hebrew SeniorLife embody this ideal. Especially given the challenges of the pandemic, the commitment of our nurses to keep working day after day is a testament to their devotion to helping people. Carline Cenat, winner of Hebrew SeniorLife’s 2022 Nurse of the Year Award, is an outstanding example of someone driven to serve with a focus on providing excellent, compassionate care.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Carline always wanted to become a doctor or nurse. However, when she graduated high school, Haiti only had one medical school in the entire country. Instead, Carline enrolled in law school, got her license, and worked as a lawyer for seven years.

It wasn’t until she moved to Boston in 2003 that she would have the opportunity to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. After completing Hebrew SeniorLife’s Nursing Assistant training, she worked at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston for two years before leaving to attend the nursing program at Roxbury Community College.

Carline graduated in 2009, becoming a Registered Nurse. She then came back to Hebrew Rehabilitation Center and has worked in the Boston campus memory care unit ever since. Currently, she works as a charge nurse, meaning that she is in charge of the nursing operations on the unit during her evening shift.

It was through the assistance of her manager Linda Sanders and tutor Susan Kalinda that Carline would

start to build the experience that would eventually lead to her winning Nurse of the Year. “They made me feel comfortable, making it easier for me to learn and gain experience. Every day I learned something, and the more I learned, the more confident and prepared I felt to do my work,” Carline says.

Carline’s manager, Fana Heilemichael, clearly appreciates Carline’s work. So much so that Fana was the one who nominated Carline for our Nurse of the Year award. “Carline is very talented, caring, and loved by everyone in the unit — staff, patients, and family — because of her compassion and caring heart,” she wrote. “We have one family member who wants to be called twice a day to get updates about her mother. Whenever she is told Carline is working, she always says, ‘I’m going to sleep peacefully knowing my mom is safe.’”

“I love caring for my patients,” says Carline. ”I see my job as more like a mission in the life of my patients than a job.”

Beremembered for yourkindness

Leave a charitable bequest to Hebrew SeniorLife in your will … and you create a personal legacy that will help older adults live with independence, dignity, and joy, and ultimately, ensure a bright future for all of us as we age.

For more information on bequests or other giving opportunities, contact Teresa V. Lisek at 617.971.5788 or TeresaVLisek@hsl.harvard.edu.

hebrewseniorlife.org/bequests

1200CentreStreet Boston,MA02131 www.hebrewseniorlife.org 617.363.8000

(lefttoright)NurseoftheYearCarlineCenat,PresidentandCEO LouWoolf,andNursingAssistantoftheYearDadiePetit-Frere