Working to Enhance Seniors’ Quality of Life There are so many ways Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC) PACE helps make a difference in the lives of participants. Its comprehensive services spanning head-to-toe medical assistance, engaging social activities, rehabilitation, transportation, social services, delicious meals, and even home care services enable participants to stay healthier, active, and engaged—making BCSC PACE so much more than just an adult day healthcare center.“As people live longer and the number of older adults in our community grows, there is an increasing demand for programs like BCSC PACE, which offers seniors critical services that empower them to continue to reside in their own homes for as long as possible,” says Vice President of BCSC PACE, Kim Stratman. “Seniors and their loved ones trust us to support their daily needs, and we are honored to fulfill that commitment every day.”People from all backgrounds and walks of life look to BCSC PACE as a vital source of care and comfort as they seek to enhance their wellbeing. They turn to the program for the stability and support it provides—uplifting them with essential assistance in improving their diets; strengthening their bodies; sharpening their minds; managing anxiety and depression; learning to navigate illness; making new friends; and even coping with grief and loss.Steven Glick is a prime example of how seniors benefit from BCSC PACE’s incredible array of services. He depends on expert, compassionate care from the entire BCSC PACE team at the Reseda location as he continues to recover from a life-threatening bike accident that left him with a broken neck and shoulder.“I was at UCLA West Valley Medical Center for the first three months following the accident, then in a nursing home for a year before ending up at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center,” Steven recalls. “It was there that I met Dr. [Casey] Ott, medical director of BCSC PACE, who recommended I come to Los Angeles Jewish Health’s (LAJH) Grancell Village Campus for rehabilitation. That was last July, and thanks to the progress I’ve made, I haven’t had to be readmitted to the hospital since!”Steven GlickHe now rents a room in a shared house in Sun Valley and visits BCSC PACE three times a week for exceptional medical care, delicious nutritious meals prepared by the outstanding dietary team, stimulating games and activities and wonderful camaraderie and socialization with fellow seniors. The center also arranges his transportation and identifies any medical specialist he needs.“I’ve had so much injury in my body, and the folks at BCSC PACE have really listened to me and taken an active role in my recovery. The doctors and nurses who treat me there are world-class, and when my care requires specific expertise, they partner with outside specialists. During my time here, I’ve seen nerve and spine specialists, a cardiologist, physical and occupational therapists, an acupuncturist, a massage therapist, you name it. Whether it’s the medical staff, the person who drives the shuttles, or the cook who makes you meals, everyone is so full of love,” he says. “I never thought I’d get my quality of life back after my accident, but that’s what Brandman has given me. I’m forever in their debt!”Participants like Steven are especially thankful for the fantastic activities that get their bodies moving and their spirits soaring. From puzzles, trivia games, and bingo, to stretching, music therapy, special entertainers, holiday celebrations, and beyond. BCSC PACE is a one-stop-shop for seniors eager to reap the physical and mental health benefits of robust social engagement.BCSC PACE currently serves nearly 450 area seniors on its two campuses in Reseda and West L.A. Among those who visit the centers are: Fabiola Anleu, who enjoys coming for craft activities and credits BCSC PACE with “saving her life”; Linthong Phannaporn, who lights up when she visits, spreading joy as she shares her passion for knitting and crocheting with fellow program participants; and Alberto Masnicoff and his wife, who appreciate the physical and emotional nurturing they receive from BCSC PACE staff.Across the program, among participants, families, and other loved ones, there is a deep sense of community for all who are involved with BCSC PACE. Perhaps Steven sums it up best: “Whenever I talk to my brothers, who have closely followed my health struggles, they always say, ‘Thank God for Brandman!’”  

Supporting the right to freedom of speech has always been a central tenet of American culture. At Los Angeles Jewish Health, we take this right to heart, ensuring every one of our residents, participants, and members has a voice and is heard. One of the most impactful ways this occurs is through an active resident council process on each of our campuses.Resident councils at LAJH are elected bodies that are very much independent and led by the residents themselves. Council leaders engage other residents to participate in discussion and even debate around issues that have impact on their day-to-day campus experiences. Although the structure of the councils varies depending upon the campus facility (some have co-presidents, others have multiple vice presidents, and still others have positions such as parliamentarian), each is based on the same deep-seated commitment to representation. Residents are chosen by their peers to represent their interests and to partner closely with LAJH leadership to achieve the best and most fair outcomes for everyone. The councils are a tangible example of the teamwork that goes into care for all at LAJH.“Through a democratic process, the councils give residents a say in ways that make them feel invested in the governance of their communities,” says Annette Weinberg, LAJH’s campus lifestyle and enrichment director for Eisenberg Village and liaison to resident councils in the Newman Building and Fountainview. “They’re absolutely vital to resident life.”During meetings held each month, residents hear updates from council officials and from LAJH leadership on issues that range from selection of furniture for the common areas of campus to transportation logistics to ideas of what should be offered on ever-changing menu selections.“Our town halls are a wonderful opportunity for residents to get involved with whatever might be happening at the time,” says Marcia Mass, president of the resident council at the Newman Building. “Recently, we offered input on some planned upgrades here at Newman that included new carpeting, new lighting, and fresh paint. It’s so exciting to see how our opinions can make a difference!”Newman Building Resident CouncilFor Sue Richter, co-president of the resident council at Fountainview, running for a seat was a natural extension of the volunteer leadership work she has carried out throughout her life. “I was president of my temple sisterhood; I’m that type of person,” she says. “Moving to Fountainview is the best thing I ever did, and being on the council allows me to give back. It’s a fantastic way to keep residents up to date and let the administration know how we feel on a particular topic.”Co-president Bill Green also has a history of working with Jewish organizations as a lay leader, prior to arriving at Fountainview two and a half years ago. Through his role on the council, he has gained crucial insight into how LAJH works and ways he can help his fellow residents share their creative ideas.Fountainview at Eisenberg Village Resident Council“When Sue and I started our terms, we found we could bring up any topic we wanted,” he recalls. “For instance, we recommended there be a full-time registered nurse at Fountainview during the week. Working through the council, we collaborated with the administration; they agreed and made it happen. I’ve found that LAJH administration is very receptive to dialogue. It’s terrific because our residents are realizing that, if there’s a change or improvement they’d like to see, they can have influence through the resident council.”Susan Leitch, director of therapeutic activities at the Joyce Eisenberg Keefer (JEK) Medical Center, helps facilitate JEK’s resident council. She says the council there is truly invaluable.“During each meeting, residents sit down with our administrator/CEO, chief mission officer, director of nursing, our infection preventionist, our director of social services, our maintenance and housekeeping leads, the heads of our dietary and laundry departments, and me. We gather to hear residents’ accolades, comments, or concerns,” she says. “There’s so much benefit to having the council: Residents are empowered knowing they can effect change in their own home.”The JEK council’s officeholders, Linda Zweig (president), Lois Schindel (vice president), and Barbara Fallick (secretary), echo Susan’s enthusiasm.Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center Resident Council“I’m always thrilled to see how many people are in the room at our meetings each month,” Linda says. “To me, it’s an indication of how much the residents care about building their community.”Lois is grateful the council can serve as a practical tool for residents seeking support. “It’s a great forum for people to interact and identify whom to contact about an issue that they’d like to see addressed,” she says.Every meeting begins with a reading of the minutes from the previous month’s gathering. “I love doing that because when we review what we talked about last time and then move onto current business, we can reflect on how much has been accomplished,” Barbara says. “Seeing that progress is very affirming—it shows all of us residents that we matter!”Elaine Mark, president of the resident council in the Taper Building, notes that there are other upsides to the councils, as well. Now in her third term on the board, Elaine has seen first-hand how resident participation translates to a more cohesive community.“Because of the councils, we’ve all gotten to know each other better, and that’s ended up leading to greater participation in our activities, which is wonderful,” she says. “It’s also opened up lines of communication with our administrators. They are eager to partner with us, and their support makes LAJH a very easy place to live.”Elaine Marks, President of the Mark Taper Building Resident Council

As 2025 began and families returned from holiday celebrations, no one could have imagined the devastation, anguish, and heartache the people of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas were about to experience.Fortunately, Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) remained out of harm’s way. At LAJH, the safety and security of those in our care is paramount. We prepare each year for any disaster or crisis that could affect our campuses. Efforts include online courses and real-time, in-person drills.On January 7, as media shared images of the Pasadena Jewish Temple Center being directly impacted, it became clear this rapidly growing disaster would affect our community, including through a potential surge of seniors dislocated from other sites with nowhere else to go. That night, Senior Vice President of In-Residence Services Ilana Springer, CEO and President of LAJH Dale Surowitz, and a handful of leaders quickly jumped on the first of many daily calls, reviewing all emergency plans to ensure the safety of our residents, participants, and staff.(Left) LAJH volunteer Steven Zonis and Certified Therapy Dog Rudy joined by LAPD Chief of Police Jim McDonnell and staff (Right) Zonis and Rudy outside of the Sheriff’s Mobile Emergency Unit Among their first actions was confirming we had a good inventory of emergency supplies, including non-perishable food and water, surgical masks, and generators. Facility staff also positioned additional air filtration systems and confirmed emergency lighting was operational. Perhaps most important was assessing the welfare of our staff. Many LAJH staff live within the impacted area, and we wanted to make sure they were safe. Next, we needed to confirm we would have adequate staffing to continue providing our excellent care without disruption. The cross-functional teamwork from across LAJH that stepped up to ensure coverage was impressive: We made sure staff were standing by for deployment wherever help was needed.We communicated quickly and clearly to our internal and external audiences, updating them on our emergency efforts via email, voicemail, social media, and the website. We also reached out to fellow senior care centers and community leaders offering our support.Those displaced who came to us for shelter included a couple evacuated from their apartment in Palos Verdes, another woman from Palos Verdes whose home burned down, and a woman evacuated from her home in Encino.Our volunteers and even our cherished residents played a part in providing comfort. The wonderful canine companions and handlers who visit our campuses, thanks to funding from the Steven Ohren Foundation, reported to emergency command centers. They provided mental health support to those impacted by the disaster, including emergency workers as well as victims.In addition, our seniors teamed up with local schoolchildren to create thank-you signs for the heroic firefighters who worked around the clock under extreme and dangerous circumstances.While our campuses fortunately remained unthreatened throughout, the air quality prevented outdoor activities. One afternoon during this period, Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender was finishing a lesson on the fourth floor of the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center when she noticed that, one-by-one; participants were turning to look out the window. They were seeing smoke from the Kenneth fire that had started that afternoon. The flames were miles away, but it was clear from the residents’ faces that this development was creating growing concern and fear. As Rabbi Bender and Ilana began strategizing about the best way to address the issue, Andrew, an activity aide at JEK, decided—without prompting—the best thing he could do to help was simply to sit down at the piano and start playing. This immediately diverted the seniors’ attention, and suddenly, everyone looked comforted and cared for. It was a signature LAJH moment, highlighting the warmth, dedication, and collaboration of our team and of the entire LAJH family.From ensuring we had evacuation plans and transfer agreements (including agreements with other facilities) in place, to continuously monitoring our emergency supplies, we remained vigilant throughout this disaster and confirmed that LAJH was indeed well prepared. The LAJH family can rest easy knowing we are ready for whatever may come our way.Of course, you can never be too prepared, and before a disaster is the best time to stock up on blankets, wheelchairs, non-perishable food, air purifiers, bottled water, etc. If you would like to contribute to help us purchase additional emergency supplies for the safety of the seniors in our care and for our devoted staff, please click here.  LAJH Certified Therapy Dog Rudy visits the Fire Command Center Students from Milken Community School join residents of the Newman Building, making signs of gratitude for firefighters

January 27th commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz—the most notorious of Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Every day, there are fewer living witnesses to the atrocities and tragedies of that era. Today, only approximately 245,000 Holocaust survivors  remain. Many of these cherished seniors are frail and have multiple medical needs requiring care from expert geriatric healthcare providers like the care teams at Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH).At one time, there were 113 Holocaust survivors in residence at LAJH. Now in their 90s, 29 still call LAJH home, including a new 95-year-old resident and survivor who came to live at LAJH just last week. What they find here, thanks to the incredible professionalism of a highly-trained staff who wear compassion on their sleeves, is a special combination of nurturing, expertise and an ethos—developed by Chief Medical Officer Noah Marco, MD, the child of survivors—that prioritizes listening.Sally and Ben Marco, Holocaust Survivors and Parents of Dr. Noah MarcoHis approach has made Dr. Marco a trusted source of education on senior care and specifically  on caring for Holocaust survivors. Last month, he presented to 15 medical students from the University of California Los Angeles who came together to learn about the Holocaust and about the importance of providing services, in a caring and sensitive manner, to each member of the survivor community.“There are many things to keep in mind when caring for Holocaust survivors. For instance, it’s important not to rush the patients, as well as to approach and touch them only after getting explicit permission,” Dr. Marco said during his presentation. “Best practices also include recognizing potential signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); asking the patients about common somatic symptoms; and realizing that sexual or abuse questions are unlikely to get a truthful response. Survivors’ history makes them unique, and as care providers, we need to adjust our approach accordingly.”Participants in the class reported dramatically expanding their knowledge of the subject. “Despite attending a public school in Los Angeles, the second most Jewish city in the U.S., I learned about the Holocaust for a maximum of five minutes,” noted one student. “My time with Dr. Marco helped fill the void from those high school history classes; he spoke wonderfully, and I learned a lot.”Whether he is imparting wisdom about caring for survivors or speaking more broadly about the many distinct facets of senior health, Dr. Marco enthusiastically shares strategies to help make medical visits more efficient and satisfying, both for the care provider and for the patient.“Treating our patients at LAJH is not only about cataloging their symptoms, many of which are chronic and may not resolve. It’s also critical that we truly see them: learning what matters most to them, asking them what questions they may have, and eliciting their ideas and expectations,” Dr. Marco says.Dr. Marco, who is often called upon to share his expertise in geriatric health, recently laid out his philosophy related to providing medical care to seniors in an essay he authored for the publication Caring for the Ages, the official newspaper of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed). He was recognized with a second-place award in the paper’s 2025 essay competition, “Caring for Residents, Caring for Ourselves.” The essay will appear in Caring for the Ages’ March/April 2025 issue, which will be distributed to a wide national audience of post-acute and long-term care professionals. His other recent publications include “The Lost Summer” an essay published in this week’s edition of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.“My goal in treating seniors is always to move beyond just discussing their chronic issues so that we’re able to elicit their input about things that are important to them,” he says. “When they feel heard, they often feel better—one of the key indicators, for a care provider, of a job well done.”Dr. Noah Marco, Chief Medical Officer at LAJH

Chanukah 2024 at Los Angeles Jewish Healthby LAJH Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen BenderWhy it was important, this year especially, to bring in the Light Chanukah’s arrival this year inspired me to consider that there are three kinds of people in the world. The first are those who unfortunately bring darkness to our world. The second are those who bring light where there is darkness. Those people are wonderful, because where there is despair they bring hope, where there is sadness they bring joy, where there is cruelty they bring loving kindness, where there is tension, they bring peace. Then there is the third kind of person, the one who, like the shamash candle of the Chanukah menorah, in addition to conquering darkness, actually kindle the other lights. These are the staff members and residents at Los Angeles Jewish Health. Not only do they bring light, they inspire others to bring the light. What made the events this year at LAJH Extraordinary As holidays approach, it is always our goal to ensure residents experience something akin to what they would have had in their homes and at synagogue. This year, we are proud to have gone beyond that goal to bring joy, celebration, surprise and delight! Residents enjoyed not only potato latkes but also creative vegetable latkes. They enjoyed traditional sufganiyot and kosher Krispy Kreme donuts. At Grancell Village, they experienced a sufganiyah tasting, including creme brulee and dulce de leche. There were concerts performed at each campus with the renowned Cindy Paley and elaborate outdoor extravaganza lightings with our enormous and artistic outdoor Chanukiot. Twelve year old twin volunteers dressed up as a life sized menorah and dreidel and visited each floor bringing smiles and laughter. Shabbat Chanukah services were led by a skilled nursing resident Rabbi and a band he assembled!  Resident volunteers took charge of lighting the menorah lights on their floors each night. At the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center, those same twin volunteers assisted me in re-affixing mezuzahs on every room, as residents participated. Rabbi Ron Goldberg held a food and toy drive at Eisenberg Village, enabling the entire campus to participate in seasonal giving to those in need. In the midst of it all, our wonderful activities staff ensured that residents celebrated New Year’s 2025, perhaps a once in a lifetime overlap with Chanukah. We are so grateful to all who worked together bringing so much joy and celebration to the residents of LAJH! Chanukah celebration led by resident Rabbi WarshawYoung volunteers delight residentsEisenberg Village toy driveConcert with Cindy PaleyResident sufganiyot tastingGoldenberg-Ziman Special Care Center residents celebrate with glowsticksMezuzahs re-affixed in the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical CenterToast to the New YearBrandman Centers for Senior Care PACE celebrates the New Year

Since October 7, 2023, Jews around the world have been on tenterhooks waiting for news of the hostages taken captive during Hamas’ brazen attack of Israel. The worry and concern have been constant companions of many Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) residents, as well. In December, they gathered in the theater at Fountainview at Eisenberg Village to hear prominent podcaster, political influencer, and philanthropist Liz Hirsh Naftali, who spoke about her role in securing the release of her great niece Abigail and about her continued commitment to freeing the hostages who have still been left behind.Liz, a lifelong Angeleno with deep roots in Israel, recounted arriving in Israel to celebrate the holiday of Simchat Torah on October 6, 2023. After an evening of dancing and celebration, she was awakened the next morning to the sound of alarms blaring: Hamas had breached the Israeli-Gaza border.“I have family who lived along the border, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza,” she told the crowd of LAJH residents and members of SAYVA (a collaborative network focused on community, positive aging, and wisdom) in attendance at the event. “I called my sister-in-law that morning and discovered that my niece and nephew had been murdered by terrorists there—and that their three-year-old daughter, Abigail, had been kidnapped.”A long history of activism equipped Liz for what came next: returning to the United States and sharing Abigail’s story as widely as possible with media outlets and political leaders on Capitol Hill.“I met with Democrats and Republicans; I believe hostages should be apolitical, and we received incredibly beautiful support from people on both sides of the aisle,” said Liz, the host of The Capitol Coffee Connection podcast. “I was driven to keep talking to people and refused to take ‘no’ for an answer because when you’re in a situation like this, and someone you love is being held against their will, you cannot rest or even take a breath until you see their face again.”Liz’s efforts ultimately contributed to a deal being struck: After 51 days in captivity, Abigail was freed along with 104 other hostages during a truce between Israel and Hamas.Inspired to preserve a record of Abigail’s story, Liz wrote Saving Abigail: The True Story of the Abduction and Rescue of a Three-Year-Old Hostage, a book about the rescue efforts.“As humans, we need to elevate these stories—to tell the truth about October 7 so people can start to heal,” she said. “I also wrote this book so people would understand they have the power to influence events. There are still hostages who haven’t been able to come home, and people might feel like nothing they do can have any impact, but my experience shows that’s not true. I think we can each play a role, in our own ways, in bringing the rest of the hostages back, stopping the fighting, and allowing Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace.” 

Working to Enhance Seniors’ Quality of Life There are so many ways Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC) PACE helps make a difference in the lives of participants. Its comprehensive services spanning head-to-toe medical assistance, engaging social activities, rehabilitation, transportation, social services, delicious meals, and even home care services enable participants to stay healthier, active, and engaged—making BCSC PACE so much more than just an adult day healthcare center.“As people live longer and the number of older adults in our community grows, there is an increasing demand for programs like BCSC PACE, which offers seniors critical services that empower them to continue to reside in their own homes for as long as possible,” says Vice President of BCSC PACE, Kim Stratman. “Seniors and their loved ones trust us to support their daily needs, and we are honored to fulfill that commitment every day.”People from all backgrounds and walks of life look to BCSC PACE as a vital source of care and comfort as they seek to enhance their wellbeing. They turn to the program for the stability and support it provides—uplifting them with essential assistance in improving their diets; strengthening their bodies; sharpening their minds; managing anxiety and depression; learning to navigate illness; making new friends; and even coping with grief and loss.Steven Glick is a prime example of how seniors benefit from BCSC PACE’s incredible array of services. He depends on expert, compassionate care from the entire BCSC PACE team at the Reseda location as he continues to recover from a life-threatening bike accident that left him with a broken neck and shoulder.“I was at UCLA West Valley Medical Center for the first three months following the accident, then in a nursing home for a year before ending up at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center,” Steven recalls. “It was there that I met Dr. [Casey] Ott, medical director of BCSC PACE, who recommended I come to Los Angeles Jewish Health’s (LAJH) Grancell Village Campus for rehabilitation. That was last July, and thanks to the progress I’ve made, I haven’t had to be readmitted to the hospital since!”Steven GlickHe now rents a room in a shared house in Sun Valley and visits BCSC PACE three times a week for exceptional medical care, delicious nutritious meals prepared by the outstanding dietary team, stimulating games and activities and wonderful camaraderie and socialization with fellow seniors. The center also arranges his transportation and identifies any medical specialist he needs.“I’ve had so much injury in my body, and the folks at BCSC PACE have really listened to me and taken an active role in my recovery. The doctors and nurses who treat me there are world-class, and when my care requires specific expertise, they partner with outside specialists. During my time here, I’ve seen nerve and spine specialists, a cardiologist, physical and occupational therapists, an acupuncturist, a massage therapist, you name it. Whether it’s the medical staff, the person who drives the shuttles, or the cook who makes you meals, everyone is so full of love,” he says. “I never thought I’d get my quality of life back after my accident, but that’s what Brandman has given me. I’m forever in their debt!”Participants like Steven are especially thankful for the fantastic activities that get their bodies moving and their spirits soaring. From puzzles, trivia games, and bingo, to stretching, music therapy, special entertainers, holiday celebrations, and beyond. BCSC PACE is a one-stop-shop for seniors eager to reap the physical and mental health benefits of robust social engagement.BCSC PACE currently serves nearly 450 area seniors on its two campuses in Reseda and West L.A. Among those who visit the centers are: Fabiola Anleu, who enjoys coming for craft activities and credits BCSC PACE with “saving her life”; Linthong Phannaporn, who lights up when she visits, spreading joy as she shares her passion for knitting and crocheting with fellow program participants; and Alberto Masnicoff and his wife, who appreciate the physical and emotional nurturing they receive from BCSC PACE staff.Across the program, among participants, families, and other loved ones, there is a deep sense of community for all who are involved with BCSC PACE. Perhaps Steven sums it up best: “Whenever I talk to my brothers, who have closely followed my health struggles, they always say, ‘Thank God for Brandman!’”  

Supporting the right to freedom of speech has always been a central tenet of American culture. At Los Angeles Jewish Health, we take this right to heart, ensuring every one of our residents, participants, and members has a voice and is heard. One of the most impactful ways this occurs is through an active resident council process on each of our campuses.Resident councils at LAJH are elected bodies that are very much independent and led by the residents themselves. Council leaders engage other residents to participate in discussion and even debate around issues that have impact on their day-to-day campus experiences. Although the structure of the councils varies depending upon the campus facility (some have co-presidents, others have multiple vice presidents, and still others have positions such as parliamentarian), each is based on the same deep-seated commitment to representation. Residents are chosen by their peers to represent their interests and to partner closely with LAJH leadership to achieve the best and most fair outcomes for everyone. The councils are a tangible example of the teamwork that goes into care for all at LAJH.“Through a democratic process, the councils give residents a say in ways that make them feel invested in the governance of their communities,” says Annette Weinberg, LAJH’s campus lifestyle and enrichment director for Eisenberg Village and liaison to resident councils in the Newman Building and Fountainview. “They’re absolutely vital to resident life.”During meetings held each month, residents hear updates from council officials and from LAJH leadership on issues that range from selection of furniture for the common areas of campus to transportation logistics to ideas of what should be offered on ever-changing menu selections.“Our town halls are a wonderful opportunity for residents to get involved with whatever might be happening at the time,” says Marcia Mass, president of the resident council at the Newman Building. “Recently, we offered input on some planned upgrades here at Newman that included new carpeting, new lighting, and fresh paint. It’s so exciting to see how our opinions can make a difference!”Newman Building Resident CouncilFor Sue Richter, co-president of the resident council at Fountainview, running for a seat was a natural extension of the volunteer leadership work she has carried out throughout her life. “I was president of my temple sisterhood; I’m that type of person,” she says. “Moving to Fountainview is the best thing I ever did, and being on the council allows me to give back. It’s a fantastic way to keep residents up to date and let the administration know how we feel on a particular topic.”Co-president Bill Green also has a history of working with Jewish organizations as a lay leader, prior to arriving at Fountainview two and a half years ago. Through his role on the council, he has gained crucial insight into how LAJH works and ways he can help his fellow residents share their creative ideas.Fountainview at Eisenberg Village Resident Council“When Sue and I started our terms, we found we could bring up any topic we wanted,” he recalls. “For instance, we recommended there be a full-time registered nurse at Fountainview during the week. Working through the council, we collaborated with the administration; they agreed and made it happen. I’ve found that LAJH administration is very receptive to dialogue. It’s terrific because our residents are realizing that, if there’s a change or improvement they’d like to see, they can have influence through the resident council.”Susan Leitch, director of therapeutic activities at the Joyce Eisenberg Keefer (JEK) Medical Center, helps facilitate JEK’s resident council. She says the council there is truly invaluable.“During each meeting, residents sit down with our administrator/CEO, chief mission officer, director of nursing, our infection preventionist, our director of social services, our maintenance and housekeeping leads, the heads of our dietary and laundry departments, and me. We gather to hear residents’ accolades, comments, or concerns,” she says. “There’s so much benefit to having the council: Residents are empowered knowing they can effect change in their own home.”The JEK council’s officeholders, Linda Zweig (president), Lois Schindel (vice president), and Barbara Fallick (secretary), echo Susan’s enthusiasm.Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center Resident Council“I’m always thrilled to see how many people are in the room at our meetings each month,” Linda says. “To me, it’s an indication of how much the residents care about building their community.”Lois is grateful the council can serve as a practical tool for residents seeking support. “It’s a great forum for people to interact and identify whom to contact about an issue that they’d like to see addressed,” she says.Every meeting begins with a reading of the minutes from the previous month’s gathering. “I love doing that because when we review what we talked about last time and then move onto current business, we can reflect on how much has been accomplished,” Barbara says. “Seeing that progress is very affirming—it shows all of us residents that we matter!”Elaine Mark, president of the resident council in the Taper Building, notes that there are other upsides to the councils, as well. Now in her third term on the board, Elaine has seen first-hand how resident participation translates to a more cohesive community.“Because of the councils, we’ve all gotten to know each other better, and that’s ended up leading to greater participation in our activities, which is wonderful,” she says. “It’s also opened up lines of communication with our administrators. They are eager to partner with us, and their support makes LAJH a very easy place to live.”Elaine Marks, President of the Mark Taper Building Resident Council

As 2025 began and families returned from holiday celebrations, no one could have imagined the devastation, anguish, and heartache the people of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas were about to experience.Fortunately, Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) remained out of harm’s way. At LAJH, the safety and security of those in our care is paramount. We prepare each year for any disaster or crisis that could affect our campuses. Efforts include online courses and real-time, in-person drills.On January 7, as media shared images of the Pasadena Jewish Temple Center being directly impacted, it became clear this rapidly growing disaster would affect our community, including through a potential surge of seniors dislocated from other sites with nowhere else to go. That night, Senior Vice President of In-Residence Services Ilana Springer, CEO and President of LAJH Dale Surowitz, and a handful of leaders quickly jumped on the first of many daily calls, reviewing all emergency plans to ensure the safety of our residents, participants, and staff.(Left) LAJH volunteer Steven Zonis and Certified Therapy Dog Rudy joined by LAPD Chief of Police Jim McDonnell and staff (Right) Zonis and Rudy outside of the Sheriff’s Mobile Emergency Unit Among their first actions was confirming we had a good inventory of emergency supplies, including non-perishable food and water, surgical masks, and generators. Facility staff also positioned additional air filtration systems and confirmed emergency lighting was operational. Perhaps most important was assessing the welfare of our staff. Many LAJH staff live within the impacted area, and we wanted to make sure they were safe. Next, we needed to confirm we would have adequate staffing to continue providing our excellent care without disruption. The cross-functional teamwork from across LAJH that stepped up to ensure coverage was impressive: We made sure staff were standing by for deployment wherever help was needed.We communicated quickly and clearly to our internal and external audiences, updating them on our emergency efforts via email, voicemail, social media, and the website. We also reached out to fellow senior care centers and community leaders offering our support.Those displaced who came to us for shelter included a couple evacuated from their apartment in Palos Verdes, another woman from Palos Verdes whose home burned down, and a woman evacuated from her home in Encino.Our volunteers and even our cherished residents played a part in providing comfort. The wonderful canine companions and handlers who visit our campuses, thanks to funding from the Steven Ohren Foundation, reported to emergency command centers. They provided mental health support to those impacted by the disaster, including emergency workers as well as victims.In addition, our seniors teamed up with local schoolchildren to create thank-you signs for the heroic firefighters who worked around the clock under extreme and dangerous circumstances.While our campuses fortunately remained unthreatened throughout, the air quality prevented outdoor activities. One afternoon during this period, Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender was finishing a lesson on the fourth floor of the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center when she noticed that, one-by-one; participants were turning to look out the window. They were seeing smoke from the Kenneth fire that had started that afternoon. The flames were miles away, but it was clear from the residents’ faces that this development was creating growing concern and fear. As Rabbi Bender and Ilana began strategizing about the best way to address the issue, Andrew, an activity aide at JEK, decided—without prompting—the best thing he could do to help was simply to sit down at the piano and start playing. This immediately diverted the seniors’ attention, and suddenly, everyone looked comforted and cared for. It was a signature LAJH moment, highlighting the warmth, dedication, and collaboration of our team and of the entire LAJH family.From ensuring we had evacuation plans and transfer agreements (including agreements with other facilities) in place, to continuously monitoring our emergency supplies, we remained vigilant throughout this disaster and confirmed that LAJH was indeed well prepared. The LAJH family can rest easy knowing we are ready for whatever may come our way.Of course, you can never be too prepared, and before a disaster is the best time to stock up on blankets, wheelchairs, non-perishable food, air purifiers, bottled water, etc. If you would like to contribute to help us purchase additional emergency supplies for the safety of the seniors in our care and for our devoted staff, please click here.  LAJH Certified Therapy Dog Rudy visits the Fire Command Center Students from Milken Community School join residents of the Newman Building, making signs of gratitude for firefighters

January 27th commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz—the most notorious of Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Every day, there are fewer living witnesses to the atrocities and tragedies of that era. Today, only approximately 245,000 Holocaust survivors  remain. Many of these cherished seniors are frail and have multiple medical needs requiring care from expert geriatric healthcare providers like the care teams at Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH).At one time, there were 113 Holocaust survivors in residence at LAJH. Now in their 90s, 29 still call LAJH home, including a new 95-year-old resident and survivor who came to live at LAJH just last week. What they find here, thanks to the incredible professionalism of a highly-trained staff who wear compassion on their sleeves, is a special combination of nurturing, expertise and an ethos—developed by Chief Medical Officer Noah Marco, MD, the child of survivors—that prioritizes listening.Sally and Ben Marco, Holocaust Survivors and Parents of Dr. Noah MarcoHis approach has made Dr. Marco a trusted source of education on senior care and specifically  on caring for Holocaust survivors. Last month, he presented to 15 medical students from the University of California Los Angeles who came together to learn about the Holocaust and about the importance of providing services, in a caring and sensitive manner, to each member of the survivor community.“There are many things to keep in mind when caring for Holocaust survivors. For instance, it’s important not to rush the patients, as well as to approach and touch them only after getting explicit permission,” Dr. Marco said during his presentation. “Best practices also include recognizing potential signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); asking the patients about common somatic symptoms; and realizing that sexual or abuse questions are unlikely to get a truthful response. Survivors’ history makes them unique, and as care providers, we need to adjust our approach accordingly.”Participants in the class reported dramatically expanding their knowledge of the subject. “Despite attending a public school in Los Angeles, the second most Jewish city in the U.S., I learned about the Holocaust for a maximum of five minutes,” noted one student. “My time with Dr. Marco helped fill the void from those high school history classes; he spoke wonderfully, and I learned a lot.”Whether he is imparting wisdom about caring for survivors or speaking more broadly about the many distinct facets of senior health, Dr. Marco enthusiastically shares strategies to help make medical visits more efficient and satisfying, both for the care provider and for the patient.“Treating our patients at LAJH is not only about cataloging their symptoms, many of which are chronic and may not resolve. It’s also critical that we truly see them: learning what matters most to them, asking them what questions they may have, and eliciting their ideas and expectations,” Dr. Marco says.Dr. Marco, who is often called upon to share his expertise in geriatric health, recently laid out his philosophy related to providing medical care to seniors in an essay he authored for the publication Caring for the Ages, the official newspaper of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed). He was recognized with a second-place award in the paper’s 2025 essay competition, “Caring for Residents, Caring for Ourselves.” The essay will appear in Caring for the Ages’ March/April 2025 issue, which will be distributed to a wide national audience of post-acute and long-term care professionals. His other recent publications include “The Lost Summer” an essay published in this week’s edition of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.“My goal in treating seniors is always to move beyond just discussing their chronic issues so that we’re able to elicit their input about things that are important to them,” he says. “When they feel heard, they often feel better—one of the key indicators, for a care provider, of a job well done.”Dr. Noah Marco, Chief Medical Officer at LAJH

Chanukah 2024 at Los Angeles Jewish Healthby LAJH Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen BenderWhy it was important, this year especially, to bring in the Light Chanukah’s arrival this year inspired me to consider that there are three kinds of people in the world. The first are those who unfortunately bring darkness to our world. The second are those who bring light where there is darkness. Those people are wonderful, because where there is despair they bring hope, where there is sadness they bring joy, where there is cruelty they bring loving kindness, where there is tension, they bring peace. Then there is the third kind of person, the one who, like the shamash candle of the Chanukah menorah, in addition to conquering darkness, actually kindle the other lights. These are the staff members and residents at Los Angeles Jewish Health. Not only do they bring light, they inspire others to bring the light. What made the events this year at LAJH Extraordinary As holidays approach, it is always our goal to ensure residents experience something akin to what they would have had in their homes and at synagogue. This year, we are proud to have gone beyond that goal to bring joy, celebration, surprise and delight! Residents enjoyed not only potato latkes but also creative vegetable latkes. They enjoyed traditional sufganiyot and kosher Krispy Kreme donuts. At Grancell Village, they experienced a sufganiyah tasting, including creme brulee and dulce de leche. There were concerts performed at each campus with the renowned Cindy Paley and elaborate outdoor extravaganza lightings with our enormous and artistic outdoor Chanukiot. Twelve year old twin volunteers dressed up as a life sized menorah and dreidel and visited each floor bringing smiles and laughter. Shabbat Chanukah services were led by a skilled nursing resident Rabbi and a band he assembled!  Resident volunteers took charge of lighting the menorah lights on their floors each night. At the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center, those same twin volunteers assisted me in re-affixing mezuzahs on every room, as residents participated. Rabbi Ron Goldberg held a food and toy drive at Eisenberg Village, enabling the entire campus to participate in seasonal giving to those in need. In the midst of it all, our wonderful activities staff ensured that residents celebrated New Year’s 2025, perhaps a once in a lifetime overlap with Chanukah. We are so grateful to all who worked together bringing so much joy and celebration to the residents of LAJH! Chanukah celebration led by resident Rabbi WarshawYoung volunteers delight residentsEisenberg Village toy driveConcert with Cindy PaleyResident sufganiyot tastingGoldenberg-Ziman Special Care Center residents celebrate with glowsticksMezuzahs re-affixed in the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical CenterToast to the New YearBrandman Centers for Senior Care PACE celebrates the New Year

Since October 7, 2023, Jews around the world have been on tenterhooks waiting for news of the hostages taken captive during Hamas’ brazen attack of Israel. The worry and concern have been constant companions of many Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) residents, as well. In December, they gathered in the theater at Fountainview at Eisenberg Village to hear prominent podcaster, political influencer, and philanthropist Liz Hirsh Naftali, who spoke about her role in securing the release of her great niece Abigail and about her continued commitment to freeing the hostages who have still been left behind.Liz, a lifelong Angeleno with deep roots in Israel, recounted arriving in Israel to celebrate the holiday of Simchat Torah on October 6, 2023. After an evening of dancing and celebration, she was awakened the next morning to the sound of alarms blaring: Hamas had breached the Israeli-Gaza border.“I have family who lived along the border, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza,” she told the crowd of LAJH residents and members of SAYVA (a collaborative network focused on community, positive aging, and wisdom) in attendance at the event. “I called my sister-in-law that morning and discovered that my niece and nephew had been murdered by terrorists there—and that their three-year-old daughter, Abigail, had been kidnapped.”A long history of activism equipped Liz for what came next: returning to the United States and sharing Abigail’s story as widely as possible with media outlets and political leaders on Capitol Hill.“I met with Democrats and Republicans; I believe hostages should be apolitical, and we received incredibly beautiful support from people on both sides of the aisle,” said Liz, the host of The Capitol Coffee Connection podcast. “I was driven to keep talking to people and refused to take ‘no’ for an answer because when you’re in a situation like this, and someone you love is being held against their will, you cannot rest or even take a breath until you see their face again.”Liz’s efforts ultimately contributed to a deal being struck: After 51 days in captivity, Abigail was freed along with 104 other hostages during a truce between Israel and Hamas.Inspired to preserve a record of Abigail’s story, Liz wrote Saving Abigail: The True Story of the Abduction and Rescue of a Three-Year-Old Hostage, a book about the rescue efforts.“As humans, we need to elevate these stories—to tell the truth about October 7 so people can start to heal,” she said. “I also wrote this book so people would understand they have the power to influence events. There are still hostages who haven’t been able to come home, and people might feel like nothing they do can have any impact, but my experience shows that’s not true. I think we can each play a role, in our own ways, in bringing the rest of the hostages back, stopping the fighting, and allowing Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace.” 

Executive leadership has always been one of the signature strengths of Los Angeles Jewish Health’s Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE. This past fall, LAJH added another exceptional leader to its roster when it welcomed Kim Stratman as the Brandman Centers’ new vice president.Kim comes to the Brandman Centers from St. Paul’s Senior Services, which has been caring for San Diego seniors for over 60 years. As vice president of operations and housing at St. Paul’s, she developed a track record of accomplishments serving the frail elderly—experience she looks forward to bringing to her work at the Brandman Centers.“Like LAJH, St. Paul’s offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, skilled nursing, and PACE programs,” Kim says. “I’m excited to build on the knowledge I gleaned during more than a decade at St. Paul’s and to find new opportunities through the Brandman Centers to enrich the lives of seniors in the greater L.A. area.”At LAJH, Kim will oversee the continued growth of the Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE program.“We have an ambitious schedule for expansion, with new facilities planned in Van Nuys, the beach cities, and Palm Springs in addition to our current sites in Reseda and West L.A.,” Kim says. “Our goal is to have everything up and running sometime in 2026.”Kim will assume the role and responsibilities of Susie Fishenfeld, the Brandman Centers’ beloved long-time vice president. During her decade-long tenure, Susie was a key driver in launching PACE at LAJH and turning it into the vibrant and dynamic program it is today.“Susie has made invaluable contributions to our organization and has been absolutely instrumental to our PACE program’s ability to thrive,” says Larissa Stepanians, LAJH’s chief operating officer. “I am extraordinarily grateful to have had her as a wonderful colleague and to have benefited from her incredible expertise.”With Kim’s arrival, Larissa says, Brandman Centers is poised to reach new heights of success. “Kim has demonstrated a strong ability to spark innovation, foster collaboration, and achieve strategic goals,” Larissa notes. “We are extremely fortunate to have her overseeing PACE and its alignment with LAJH’s organizational mission.”As Kim sees it, central to advancing that mission is the commitment and cohesiveness of LAJH’s staff.“In the short time that I’ve been here, it’s already clear to me how wonderful this organization is and how much everybody cares about the team,” she says. “I feel so fortunate to now be a part of that.”With the staff’s support, Kim is eagerly preparing to broaden the Brandman Centers’ reach.“We’re going to continue increasing our impact as we work to give more seniors access to high-quality, all-inclusive care,” she says. “It’s amazing to see the ways in which we can improve seniors’ lives.” 

Signature Los Angeles Jewish Health program ushers in its next chapter (RESEDA, CA – December 26, 2024) Los Angeles Jewish Health’s (LAJH) Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE has appointed industry veteran Kim Stratman as Vice President, LAJH announced. Stratman will serve in a critical position at a time of growth for LAJH’s successful PACE program.Stratman comes to the Brandman Centers from St. Paul’s Senior Services, which has been caring for San Diego seniors for over 60 years. As Vice President of Operations and Housing at St. Paul’s, she developed a track record of accomplishment serving the frail elderly.“Like LAJH, St. Paul’s offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, skilled nursing, and PACE programs,” Stratman said. “I’m excited to build on the knowledge I gleaned during more than a decade at St. Paul’s and to find new opportunities through the Brandman Centers to enrich the lives of seniors in the greater L.A. area.”Under her direction, the Brandman Centers will pursue ambitious plans for program expansion.“We are busy preparing to establish new facilities in Van Nuys, South Bay, and Palm Springs, adding to our current sites in Reseda and West L.A.,” Stratman said. “Our goal is to open the doors in 2026.”Stratman will be assume the role and responsibilities of Brandman Centers’ longtime Vice President Susie Fishenfeld. During her decade-long tenure, Fishenfeld was a key driver in launching PACE at LAJH and driving its success.“Susie has made invaluable contributions to our organization and has been absolutely instrumental to our PACE program’s ability to thrive,” said Larissa Stepanians, LAJH’s Chief Operating Officer. “I am grateful to have had her as a wonderful colleague and to have benefited from her incredible expertise.”Stratman’s arrival signals a deepening of LAJH’s commitment to maintaining the Brandman Centers as a pillar of its community outreach services.“We’re going to continue increasing our impact as we work to give more seniors access to high quality, all-inclusive care,” Stratman said. “It’s amazing to see the ways in which programs like ours can improve seniors’ lives.”