Every year the Home chooses two staff members—one from the Eisenberg Village Campus and one from the Grancell Village Campus—who exemplify the best of our team, the people who work toward fulfillment of our mission and demonstrate our core values each and every day.The employees of the year are chosen by a vote of the Home Team Council. The Council is made up of employees from different departments at each campus. They were invited to represent their peers in electing new Home Team members and in selecting the employee of the year.“We are very fortunate to work with truly incredible people all throughout the Home,” said Alyssa Alderman, the Home's Vice President of Human Resources.Scarlett Alvarez, Eisenberg Village Scarlett has been with the Home for over 15 years, working in in the same department since she started. She has held different positions in different buildings. Scarlett is always willing to take on extra shifts, always with a smile. The residents love her and look forward to seeing that big smile as she engages with them. She knows every aspect of her job and does it with enthusiasm. She clearly loves what she does and leads by example as she always encourages her co-workers to do their best. Many new nurses look to her for guidance. She is a fantastic C.N.A., a Med-Tech and an R.N.A! Tammy Martinez, Grancell Village Tammy began her career at the Home almost 15 years ago as an Administrative Assistant to the Director of Nursing. She has truly been the right hand of all the people she has reported to over the years—sometimes as many as four people at one time! Tammy is currently in the JEK Administration department. She knows the ins and outs of every policy and procedure related to nursing, clinical, infection prevention, safety, maintenance, and the list goes on and on. She is always willing to help every building at every campus, especially during annual surveys. She is a go-to person for many staff members across all campuses. Tammy has received several “Home Runs” based on great appreciation for her assistance. She is truly amazing at what she does!Congratulations to our Employees of the Year!

Since the opening of the Jewish Home’s Brandman Centers for Senior Care, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), participating seniors and their families have experienced a broad range of benefits. Now those benefits have been measured, thanks to the first national caregiver survey conducted by the National PACE Association (NPA). The results are clear: The Brandman Centers are making an important difference in their members’ everyday lives. PACE provides high-quality, comprehensive medical and social services to seniors aged 55 and older, promoting their independence in the comfort of their own homes, even when health challenges make them eligible for nursing home care. The Brandman Centers offers a full continuum of services including primary medical care on-site, preventive health services, rehabilitation, social work services, nutritional counseling, medications, supplies, Adult Day Health Care, and transportation to and from the Center. The NPA survey included 20 PACE programs across the United States, gauging a metric known as “caregiver burden” — essentially, the level of stress experienced by the men and women (often adult children or other loved ones) who assist seniors in meeting their day-to-day needs. Across the board, the Brandman Centers outshined its peers. “Our caregiver burden score was nearly 50 percent less after participant enrollment, meaning caregivers were healthier, happier, and had more time for themselves,” says Susie Fishenfeld, the Brandman Centers’ Executive Director. “This was a higher reduction when compared to the national results. And one hundred percent of respondents reported our program helped them to be better caregivers, which ultimately positively impacts the many seniors we serve.” The survey provided detailed feedback about what makes the Brandman Centers such a positive force in the community. Respondents praised the “wonderful support system,” the “excellent attention” given to seniors, and the convenience of having doctors and other medical services in one location. With assistance from the Brandman Centers, notes one typical comment, “I had a few hours to work without interruption and without worrying that my mother is unsafe or lonely. PACE is a blessing to our family!” Jewish Home CEO-President Molly Forrest noted these responses which reinforce how vital the Home and its programs are for seniors and their caregivers throughout Los Angeles. “Helping to care for a senior is a great privilege, but also a huge responsibility,” she says. “The Brandman Centers is a critical ally caregivers can rely on for compassion, understanding, and resources.” The NPA survey was administered by Vital Research, in conjunction with the Brandman Centers, in fall 2018.

Imagine entering a room and seeing exuberant seniors dancing to a syncopated beat. The smiles on their faces and the sweat on their brows tell a story: There is hard work being done here — and every moment is an absolute joy. Visitors to the Jewish Home’s Zumba and chair dancing classes often come across just this type of scene. The seniors’ enthusiasm, says Caryl Geiger, Activity Director at the Home, is contagious. “Every time I walk in there, I smile, and I’m not even taking the class! Dancing just makes you feel good.” Researchers tell us that Caryl’s observation is actually measurable. Study after study is providing dramatic evidence that for seniors, dancing can be just what the doctor ordered. “We can now say with confidence that dance has significant physical and psychological benefits for seniors,” says Noah S. Marco, M.D., Executive Director of the Brandman Research Institute and Chief Medical Officer of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. “Among its many plusses, dance activates muscle memories that may have been dormant for years. For seniors, dancing can be a safe, natural, and easily accessible way to reawaken both their bodies and their minds.” The American Dance Therapy Association has published an extensive study on the effects of dance and movement on seniors. Data was collected from more than 100 movement therapy practitioners and the conclusions were remarkable: “Dance increases quality of life for seniors. It promotes resiliency and physical and psychological health, including an increased ability to cope with anxiety, depression issues, and the behavioral changes associated with dementia and cognitive impairment.”* The results from a 21-year study of senior citizens by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York were even more striking. Scientists studied physical activities like swimming, walking, and bicycling. One of the studies biggest surprises was that the only physical activity to offer meaningful protection against dementia was frequent dancing.** The benefits, notes Caryl, extend beyond memory retention. “Dancing improves flexibility, social skills, and motor skills,” she says. Of course, movement comes naturally to children. They live through their bodies — running, playing, falling, and getting up. As we age, however, many of us tend to become less physically active. But by the time we enter our senior years, we may be sedentary or at least heading in that direction. The good news is that one of the best remedies is also the simplest and most enjoyable. After all, there is a dancer in all of us. * https://adta.org/2015/11/23/dance-movementtherapy-elderly/ ** https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022252

I love my new 2019 calendar. You're probably picturing twelve months of kittens or various natural wonders. But I am actually not referring to the art or photographs. I enjoy the barren part, with the squares and dates on it. As 2018 comes to a close and 2019 begins many of us will be saying, "Time flies!" or asking, "Where did the year go?" We wonder if we squandered time and if we are going to be more deliberate next year. Some will make New Year's resolutions and a few will even keep their resolutions! The Rabbis advise in the Talmud, "Do not say, 'When I have leisure time I will study,' because perhaps you will not have leisure time" (Pirkei Avot 2:4). In other words, if there is something you believe will enhance your life or improve the lives of others, try to do it as soon as possible. If you tell yourself "It can wait; there is no need to do today what can be done tomorrow," you may find yourself pushing off what matters most onto a thousand tomorrows. I love the empty boxes in the calendar because they remind me how every day is an opportunity to do something—and to do it now. The sooner we actualize our dreams and enact our hopes the more we live aligned with our values. And the calmer we feel. Life becomes more meaningful and purposeful. Those who live in the now thrive. Happiest and most content are those who wake up every day grateful for another day and eager to do something that will make them feel like the day was worthwhile when they lay their heads on their pillows at night. Most fulfilled are those who do at least one thing every day they do not have to do.No wonder in a nearby section of the Talmud, the Rabbis say, "The day is short and the task is great, the labourers are sluggish, the compensation is great and the Master of the house is urgent" (Pirkei Avot 2:15). Do it for God, or do it for yourself, or do it for the ideal of love. Happy New Year 2019!

A 20-year anniversary is a huge milestone to reach when working for an organization. This year, 18 Jewish Home employees celebrated two decades of working at the Jewish Home. Of those, 13 were able to attend a dinner with CEO-President Molly Forrest in recognition of their accomplishments. "We treasure our staff and are honored so many of them choose to remain a part of our Home for so long," she said. Their longevity is a reflection of the Home's leadership and its culture: All employees are welcomed like members of a family in which every individual makes a unique contribution. With a successful tradition of caring and being open to new ideas, the Home creates a dynamic working environment and a healthy community for our seniors. So much so, currently 143 Jewish Home employees have been here 20 years or more, some for as long as 35 years! "I love the Home," said Purchasing Director Jeffrey Gall who hit his 20-year anniversary in August. "The reason I have stayed here so long is because of how well I have been treated. That translates directly into how we, as a staff, treat the residents. I have seen that first-hand because I was able to experience having my mom here as a resident before she passed away. I saw how she was treated by everyone working here, and it was amazing." "This is my second home!" said Mercy Bernstein, an LVN in the Max Factor Family Foundation Nursing Building. "I love the residents. I love going to work." She works the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift and she told us, "So far, I'm having fun. My plan is to retire from here after another 25 years!" Denise Horowitz, Fund Development Coordinator, said, "I feel very proud that I have been an employee here for the past 20 years. I've seen many changes in the Home, including watching many buildings go up. I feel like all of the other employees who have worked here for 20 years and up—lucky to work at a place where the residents come first and the employees are like family." "This is my second home!" said Mercy Bernstein, an LVN in the Max Factor Family Foundation Nursing Building. "I love the residents. I love going to work." She works the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift and she told us, "So far, I'm having fun. My plan is to retire from here after another 25 years!" Denise Horowitz, Fund Development Coordinator, said, "I feel very proud that I have been an employee here for the past 20 years. I've seen many changes in the Home, including watching many buildings go up. I feel like all of the other employees who have worked here for 20 years and up—lucky to work at a place where the residents come first and the employees are like family."

Members of Fountainview at Eisenberg Village, a Continuing Care Retirement Community at the Jewish Home, enjoy a wide variety of activities which enrich and enhance their lives. There is a movie theater, a fitness center complete with personal trainers, and a stocked arts and crafts room. Then there are classes and lectures. One class proved so popular, it was brought back twice so a total of 60 members were able to participate. It was a Memory Training Course written and designed by Gary Small, MD, and Linda Ercoli, PhD, of UCLA's Longevity Center. "Memory loss is a concern for most seniors, and our members are no different," explained Shelley Smilen, Foutainview Director of Resident Services. "Once we read the description of the class – ‘an innovative, educational course that teaches techniques to improve memory in a fun, interactive classroom environment' – we knew immediately Fountainview members would enthusiastically respond and enroll." Instructor Frank Cook, a nurse health educator, led the 4-week classes at Fountainview, teaching one 2-hour session per week and giving members homework assignments. Weaving classic memory techniques together with new strategies for improving memory, Cook made sure each class member practiced what he taught. "He helped me come up with tools that I had forgotten to use," said Fountainview member Lee Levy. Cook also taught tips for coping with an unreliable memory. Class members enjoyed participating and sharing their personal experiences with how the techniques worked for them. "This class really helped me remember whether or not I locked the car," said Joanne Candiotti. "Also, before I go into a room now, I say out loud what I'm going in there for. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to come here."

Veterans Day 2018 was a memorable one for seniors from coast to coast with a number of moving ceremonies and tributes. Through the efforts of the Association of Jewish Services (AJAS), 47 Jewish War Veterans from AJAS communities participated in honoring veterans at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. As taps played, several Jewish War Veterans placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In Los Angeles, at precisely 11:11 a.m. on 11/11/18, Veteran’s Day, the shofar was blown and bells were rung at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in a ceremony to honor veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. In conjunction with the AJAS community, Los Angeles Jewish Home residents were on hand to present a wreath from the Home in honor of all fallen soldiers. Both Jewish Home campuses in Reseda also held special events in honor of veterans on Monday, November 12th. The Grancell Village Campus celebration featured music and poetry. Rabbi Karen Bender thanked the veterans in the audience for their service and presented each with a certificate of appreciation. Residents, whose military service stretched from Israel to England to the United States, waved flags, sang songs, and showed their patriotic spirit. On the Eisenberg Village campus, the program opened with the pledge of allegiance and singing of the "Star Spangled Banner." Several residents then participated in meaningful and moving dramatic readings. The veterans in the audience were asked to stand and be recognized prior to concluding the program with a rousing rendition of "God Bless America." It was indeed a fitting tribute to those who have served our country.

Many of us are still reeling from the devastating news of the synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh. Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims and our prayers are with the injured and all who are in need of healing. The Jewish Community is shaken by the event, which is the most violent incident against Jewish Americans in the history of the United States. We are devastated that this has happened. The Los Angeles Jewish Home's Holocaust survivors are particularly upset by the news. If only the attack of the Tree of Life congregation was in a vacuum, but we have learned there was a 58% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes just last year. Hate crimes against many other groups have increased, too. What to do about this growing climate of intolerance of the "other"? George Washington put the answer so brilliantly when he wrote a letter to the Touro Synagogue of Rhode Island in 1790. He said, "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States… gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." George Washington promised us an America where intolerance would be abolished. And he went even further. He believed that tolerance was not enough. Because tolerance is the idea that the majority of the people somehow have the ability to "tolerate" a minority they may even dislike. Washington was effectively asking, "Who are you to tolerate them?" Rather, we all have equal and inherent rights. We are all entitled to safety, freedom and respect. Has the America of 2018 forgotten this 1790 ideal and abandoned George Washington's promise? Perhaps. But Judaism has not. Everyone is familiar with the commandment from the Torah to "Love thy Neighbor" (Leviticus 19:18). And there is that old joke that it is easy to love humankind but hard to get along with the guy next door. Torah commands us to love our neighbor and, even more importantly, to love the stranger! We must not just tolerate, but love the other: love the one who is different; love the one with a different skin color; love the one who has an accent; love the one with different customs; love the one with different beliefs; love the one who is not from here. Has the America of 2018 forgotten these ideals of tolerance and love which are echoed not only in Jewish ethics but in the principles of all the major religions? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Did you hear about Wasi Mohamed, executive director of the Islamic Center for Pittsburgh? He announced funds were being raised by the Muslim community toward the care and support of the local Jewish community of Pittsburgh. Indeed, as of October 29th, two Muslim organizations raised nearly $200,000. One of the fundraisers, Tarek El-Messidi, posted these words, "Muslims: Let us stand with our Jewish cousins against this senseless, anti-Semitic murder." I am so touched. Now that is America! At this time of concern and fear, we need to take seriously the rise of anti-Semitism, specifically, and of bigotry in general. But we also need to celebrate the solidarity of the entire Jewish community and take in the outpouring of love from our fellow citizens who are expressing their friendship and concern. We will not be intimidated and we will not give in to fear. As our people have always done, we will respond with courage, love and hope. We will remember we are not alone. We will overcome this together.

On Shabbat morning, October 13th, friends and family gathered in the Ziman Synagogue on the Eisenberg Village campus of the Los Angeles Jewish Home as resident Howard Leeds stepped up on the bimah for his second bar mitzvah. The ceremony most commonly takes place at age 83. According to Eisenberg Village Rabbi Ron Goldberg, the custom of a second bar mitzvah is based on the reading of Psalm 90:10, which says 70 years is the expected lifespan of most humans. When a person reaches age 83, it is a lifetime plus the bar mitzvah years of 13. "It is a recognition of a life well lived, a full life and a reason to celebrate reaching a milestone," Rabbi Goldberg added. Wearing the tallis he first put on in 1948 at his first bar mitzvah, Howard led the Torah service, chanting the prayers with familiar melodies. "It all came flooding back as if it were yesterday," Howard remarked. Beaming with pride, he drew upon his training as a junior cantor at the Kingsbridge Heights Jewish Center in the Bronx to lead the service. Delighted to have the opportunity for a second bar mitzvah at the Jewish Home, he said, "It was much more meaningful than I can possibly express. I should have invited more people. It was a wonderful experience. Rabbi Ron was terrific and went out of his way to include my wife in the service. I'm so grateful to the Jewish Home for giving me the chance to have a second bar mitzvah." Residents at the Jewish Home are offered the opportunity to actively engage in programs enhancing their knowledge of Judaism. Our rabbis teach classes for intellectual stimulation and spiritual growth. For some of our residents, this is the beginning of their adult Jewish learning. Many seniors were not able to have a bar or bat mitzvah when they were younger, but now have the time to explore Judaism more deeply. Mazel tov to Howard!