DEAR FRIENDS,
Over the course of our 115 year history, Sholom has earned a reputation of excellence. Thanks to YOU, our welcoming care community remains a dynamic, unwavering pillar of strength in our community, and we’re only getting stronger.
Jim Newbrough, the new CEO of Sholom Community Alliance, has spent the past several months immersing himself in our mission and learning from those who are the heart of Sholom: our residents, families, staff, care teams, volunteers, supporters, and leaders across all Sholom entities. Our commitment to excellence is driving us forward as we continue to set the standard for care and community.
In collaboration with the community, we are continually enhancing our programs and services to meet the needs of those in our care, while staying true to the exceptional, high-quality care that has made our Ackerberg and Shaller Family campuses the gold standard in the industry.
The first, critical aspect of our strength is the welcome we extend to each person who encounters Sholom. This edition of Generations of Care celebrates the personal journeys of individuals as they find a warm welcome within the Sholom Family. Our core value is creating a sense of belonging for everyone involved with Sholom, whether it’s new residents, staff, volunteers, or supporters.
Inside, you’ll read inspiring stories from Ashley Cytron and Jill Levin, as well as our standout employees, Jim McDonald and Kelly Saporito—each of whom found their own connection and
sense of belonging here at Sholom. We hope you enjoy photo highlights of activities on our campuses, and the words of Barbara Brooks, generous donor to Sholom Foundation who shares her reason for supporting Sholom with monthly contributions to support general operations.
We’re incredibly proud of our more than a century of service, and we are deeply grateful for your trust and investment in Sholom’s future. We’re stronger than ever because of you!
L’shalom,
Jim Newbrough David Nirenstein Lisa Furman Joel Mandel Sholom CEO Sholom Board President Sholom Foundation Sholom Foundation
Board President Executive Director
AMBASSADORS PROVIDE BRIDGE TO BELONGING
When a new resident arrives at Sholom, one of their first encounters will be with a Community Ambassador. Sholom’s new ambassador program pairs current residents with newcomers in the same building to assist with the move-in process and orient them to amenities, services, and scheduled activities.
“The program is designed to ensure that every new resident has a friendly connection right at the start to help them feel at home,” Sholom Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rachelle Strasburg explained.
Community Ambassadors have the opportunity to take on a variety of roles depending on their strengths and interests. In addition to welcoming activities, ambassadors provide tours, give feedback to help shape Sholom’s programs, co-lead activities, help encourage participation in upcoming events, and offer peer support.
“Being in this role gives me so much joy,” Knollwood Place Apartments Ambassador Ashley Cytron said. “I know what it’s like to be a newcomer, so I want to see that others have as smooth a time as I did making the transition to a new home.”
Ashley (on right) and Sales and Leasing Specialist
Grateful for a Smooth Transition
Jill Levin was caught a bit off guard when it became clear that her mother would speedily need to make the move across the country to an independent living community.
“Moving my mom across the country in two weeks wasn’t our original plan,” she said. “We toured six communities and, after four trips to UPS and dozens of boxes, we feel we made the perfect decision with Knollwood Place Apartments.”
Her mother, Sally Kaplan, received a warm welcome that set the tone for everything to follow. Jill reports Sally has been enjoying the food, exercise programs, and all the activities and amenities. “Her apartment is a really good size for her, and she loves the natural light,” Jill shared.
From her first day on campus, the residents have invited Sally into various groups allowing her to feel a sense of community. “It’s great to see her making new friends so quickly
and I know Sholom’s staff are always just a call or text away,” Jill said.
Two months in, Jill remains deeply appreciative of how smooth the transition has been and also how Sholom helped her whole family navigate the journey.
Sally Kaplan and Jill Levin
Specialist Susie Held engage in a delightful conversation.
SHOLOM HIGHLIGHTS
Roitenberg Assisted Living residents enjoy a gallery tour at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
L to R: Lynn, Libby, and Josie looking sparkly and all smiles for the New Year festivities at Knollwood Place Apartments.
Shelly and Dovid from Knollwood Place Apartments celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025.
Best friends Judy and Harriet on their way to the Nosh Nook Deli for a kosher lunch.
Resident Dalia (center) with staff members Deana and Emily making felt flower bouquets.
Staff members and volunteers enjoying an afternoon chat on Volunteer Appreciation Day.
Youth volunteers make sure that resident Clara has beautifully manicured and polished nails.
A volunteer and her bulldog share time with Shaller Campus residents.
Clara R., Clara W., Delores, and Mary Lou looking fabulous in their hats and handbags ready to raise their pinkies for afternoon tea.
Shaller Campus resident Marcia hanging out with the St. Paul Winter Carnival Vulcans and Klondike Kate.
Ernestine spends craft time decorating vases with dried flowers.
Donna enjoys making music and creating rhythms with her friends on the Shaller Campus.
A GREAT START FOR EMPLOYEES: NEW HIRE WELCOME
BY JIM MCDONALD, LPN
At 9 a.m. every Monday, alternating between campuses, I personally and very warmly welcome each new hire to the Sholom Family. This is my preferred term over “team.” Family just fits.
After required documents are signed and a thorough presentation on benefits, we begin exploring the Sholom way.
I ask if everyone is aware that Sholom is a Jewish organization where all are welcome. Then I share what that means in practice. New hires learn that Sholom is an organization steeped in over 115 years of history. I like to say the world is represented at Sholom—as people from all walks of life with varying cultural and religious backgrounds are present in both our resident and employee populations.
I explain that specific Jewish principles and traditions are embraced and followed. This leads into training presentations on kosher dietary laws, dining room etiquette, and how we deliver the superior customer service for which we are known. It’s interesting to hear from our Muslim new hires who point out that Jewish and Muslim dietary laws mirror each other in many ways. This always sparks conversation.
Next up is an introduction to Judaism led by Rabbi Resnik-Bell or myself. I am very comfortable in presenting this as I more or less grew up at Sholom and I have been lovingly referred to as an “honorary member of the tribe.” We explain Jewish core principles: keeping of Shabbat (Sabbath), Shabbat rituals, services, Torah study, and meals. In addition, we share a slideshow about major and minor Jewish holidays and death and dying rituals in the Jewish tradition. Our Q & A portion is always spirited. I consistently witness a genuine interest in Jewish customs from many of our new hires, particularly those who had no prior knowledge of Judaism. It’s fun to see!
Top: Jim McDonald, LPN. Bottom: Jim training new hires Geoffrey and Mary.
Our orientation wraps up with important presentations on social services, safety, employee recognition, and more. CEO Jim Newbrough always comes by to meet each new employee as well.
When it’s all said and done, I proudly declare that each new hire is now an official member of the Sholom Family and they are an important part of our community charged with upholding and building on our century-old reputation. It takes a village!
This is Jim McDonald’s 41st year on staff at Sholom. He has held various roles from nursing assistant to medical recordskeeper to licensed practical nurse (LPN). He completed his nursing education with the assistance of a Sholom nursing school scholarship.
Jim currently leads new hire orientation, which gets rave reviews from new employees. As he puts it, “I have the opportunity to meet and get to know every new member of the Sholom Family. My love affair with Sholom continues.”
A Warm Embrace
Meet Kelly Saporito, RN WCC, who trains newhire nurses and home health aides for assisted living, hospice, and home care.
She is a friendly face at staff orientation who ensures that new staff are up to speed on the many skills necessary to provide exemplary care.
Her favorite thing about training is talking with the home health aides about the “why.” Why do we turn and reposition immobile clients every two hours? Why do we still talk to clients when they are unconscious?
“This allows the home health aide to understand the magnitude of their role and not just feel like
they are checking off boxes on a to-do list,”
Kelly said. “It helps them to see the client as a whole person.”
“New hires are warmly embraced and encouraged to ask questions,” Kelly shared. “Sholom does a great job of allowing everyone to celebrate who they are.”
New hire orientation and professional development programs are made possible by funds like the Hy and Dorothy Schanfield Family Fund of the Sholom Foundation, which support initial and ongoing staff training.
Ackerberg Campus
Rehabilitation
Director Michelle Harris (on right) shows a trainee how to use a clinical system in the rehab center.
Kelly Saporito
Generous support from our community is essential to our ability to provide high quality care and services for the adults in our care. Every gift, whether it’s a year-end contribution, a gift of stock, or a few volunteer hours, makes a big impact.
Today, we invite you to consider making your gift to Sholom a monthly gift. Monthly recurring gifts are easy to set up and provide Sholom a predictable, steady stream of revenue to help us deliver the programs our residents need and enjoy.
I FEEL GREAT ABOUT MY MONTHLY GIFT
❝As a former staff and continued supporter of Sholom, I know my recurring gifts, along with those of all Sholom supporters, provide so many rich experiences for residents and their families every day.
I feel great that when I visit, I see the impact of my monthly gifts in their smiles.❞
—BARBARA BROOKS
Make a Tribute or Memorial Gift
Tribute gifts are a time-honored way to show your support of Sholom in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Tributes appear on the website and are updated quarterly.
Scan here to see recent tribute and memorial gifts.
Your support makes a big difference.
Pictured above: A group from Knollwood Place Apartments enjoys an outing to the Minnesota Orchestra made possible by the Jack & Esther Tanick Fund of the Sholom Foundation.
❝Our family is very pleased with the creative and thoughtful ways that Sholom has managed our Fund and is gratified at how it has contributed to the enjoyment and well-being of the residents there.❞
—MARSHALL TANICK, whose family fund supports arts and cultural outings like the one pictured above.
Pictured on front cover: Sholom Sales and Leasing Specialist Susie Held (on right) with Community Ambassador and resident Ashley Cytron.
www.sholomfoundation.org