Resident Life Joyfully Reopens at the Los Angeles Jewish Home
Resident Life Joyfully Reopens at the Los Angeles Jewish Home
Mar 18, 2021
With COVID-19 in retreat in Southern California, residents across Los Angeles including those of the Los Angeles Jewish Home are joyfully reemerging from quarantine and turning the page on a long and challenging year. A sense of normalcy is returning to life at the Jewish Home—and residents are eagerly soaking it in.
"There's tremendous excitement among our residents, who are so ready for a resumption of physical contact with their friends and loved ones," says Larissa Stepanians, chief operating officer of the Jewish Home. "As we come out of the dark tunnel of the pandemic, we're finally able to glimpse a light at the end, and it's definitely created an intensity of emotions."
Those emotions run equally high among residents' family members. "Now that we are both vaccinated, I love that I can finally be with my mom and see she is doing well," says Suzanne Berman. Her mother, Michele Pakula, is a resident of the Home's Goldenberg•Ziman Special Care Center for seniors with Alzheimer's disease and age-related dementia. "The pandemic was very hard, but my mom is a Holocaust survivor. If you can survive that, you can make it through anything."
Janet Bramson, whose mother, Florence Kay, also lives at the Jewish Home, was feeling a similar swell of happiness. "After not being able to see my mom for months, my whole family came to visit, and I feel like we were able to breathe new life into her," Janet says. "We visited and laughed and just had such a warm, wonderful time."
In addition to increased visitation, residents are slowly and safely embracing other pre-pandemic activities, as well, from religious services, to beauty shop appointments, to light gardening. Throughout the reopening, the Jewish Home is closely adhering to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) directives.
"There are numerous state and federal agencies issuing guidelines related to COVID-19, and we are required to follow the most stringent, which is CDPH's guidance," Larissa says.
With its beautiful, landscaped grounds, the Jewish Home has natural advantages that make navigating CDPH mandates easier than it might be at many other facilities. "Our campuses, which consist of between seven and nine gorgeous acres between Eisenberg Village and Grancell Village alone, lend themselves to outdoor activities," Larissa says. "Our residents can soak up the sunshine, sit and read a book, or take a lovely walk often with an aide. Of course, while they're out and about, we ask them to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves and others."
As residents venture beyond their rooms, Jewish Home staff members are working harder than ever, adjusting protocols to suit the new, more relaxed environment. Their primary focus is ensuring residents remain safe and healthy, which means sticking to the Home's comprehensive mitigation plan.
"Every building at the Jewish Home has a plan that includes extensive infection control practices, staff training, and detailed visitation policies," Larissa says. "It's one of the reasons our facilities have done so well throughout the pandemic."
Given the Home's success at reopening thus far, Larissa foresees even more opportunities on the horizon. "We're now looking at bringing back communal dining in a fuller capacity, and eventually we hope to resume some off campus activities, like taking residents shopping," Larissa says. "These things take time to implement, and our residents and their families have been incredibly understanding. But I think we're getting closer—so stay tuned!"
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Dec
4
The Marvels of Music at Los Angeles Jewish Health
Around the world, December is a time for gift-giving, family meals, and shared celebration. It is also a time for music: from Chanukah medleys to Christmas classics, holiday tunes are the soundtrack of the season.At Los Angeles Jewish Health, music plays an integral part of uplifting seniors’ spirits and enhancing their health and wellness throughout the year, from birthdays to holidays and beyond. Well-documented evidence shows that music has numerous health benefits for people of all ages, perhaps none more so than members of an aging population.“Listening to music can help with anxiety, depression, and stress; it can also help reduce blood pressure and improve sleep,” says Noah Marco, MD, LAJH’s chief medical officer. “In addition, it activates parts of the brain that are involved in thinking, movement, and emotion. It’s been shown to help people recovering from a stroke with verbal memory and focus, and to connect people suffering from advanced dementia to their positive past memories.”Supporting seniors through music is a major focus of life at LAJH. The Music Therapy Program at the Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE is just one example. A board-certified music therapist brings instruments to the center and involves participants in expressing themselves musically: singing and making rhythms while reflecting on how music has shaped their lives.Board-Certified Music Therapist Sara brings instruments to Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE in Reseda“The program is awesome—the music is just wonderful. It helps you relax, stay calm, and it helps you mentally because by singing together with people in a group, you know you’re not alone,” says program participant Theresa Vincent. “I would encourage everybody to do music therapy at Brandman!”Music therapy is also provided to residents through a partnership with California State University, Northridge (CSUN). The collaboration brings students working toward their music therapy degree to LAJH, where they engage residents with percussion-based instruments and population-appropriate activities.The CSUN students’ effort and skill are deeply appreciated by those who take part in the gatherings. “These students bring so much joy and make us feel better, we forget about our troubles and are just happy,” says one memory care resident at LAJH’s Goldenberg-Ziman Special Care Center.Goldenberg-Ziman Special Care Center residents enjoy instruments provided by CSUN studentsAt the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center, residents participate in a different type of music therapy: the Wahlbangers Drum Circle, which leads them through low-impact exercises proven to activate both hemispheres of the brain.“From helping residents modulate their emotions to encouraging concentration and cooperation, the benefits of the drum circle are many-fold,” says Susan Leitch, director of therapeutic activities. “The activity is universally accessible: Everyone can play, no matter their experience level.”Wahlbangers Drum Circle leads musical participation at Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical CenterYoung people frequently share their musical gifts with LAJH residents. “We are extremely fortunate to have so many talented individual musicians and groups volunteer from colleges, secondary schools, and synagogues. They visit LAJH almost weekly,” says LAJH Special Projects Coordinator Julie Lockman-Gold, whose role is supported in part by the Steven Ohren Foundation. In one instance, a resident had not played his bass in years, due to a stroke that made it challenging for him. A caring visit by a music major in college enabled him to feel confident in picking up his bass, and they played tunes together throughout the afternoon. Resident Andy jams on his bass guitar with a volunteer music majorThe number of outstanding performances is too numerous to list. Shining examples include a college student who has been playing the cello for LAJH audiences since he was in high school and a jazz band that performs for LAJH’s annual “Senior-Senior Prom.” Schools that have visited the campuses include UCLA, de Toledo High School, Brentwood School, Harvard-Westlake, Sierra Canyon School, Kadima Conservatory, and more. Jazz musicians from de Toledo High School play for the annual Senior-Senior dance at Eisenberg VillageIn honor of Father’s Day and thanks to support from the Steven Ohren Foundation, the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the largest majority African American orchestra in America, treated residents to a moving concert. “I always tell residents, ‘You don’t have to go to Disney Hall to hear a phenomenal concert,’” says Stacy Orbach, Los Angeles Jewish Health’s director of volunteer services, “because we bring the sounds of Walt Disney Concert Hall to you!”The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles treated residents of the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center to a Father's Day concertMusic plays a central role in LAJH’s Jewish holiday celebrations, as well. At Passover and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Jewish music specialist Cindy Paley joins Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender and Rabbi Ron Goldman in leading residents in song. Shabbat and other prayer services also prominently feature music. “Our residents love music, so we incorporate it into so much of what we do here,” says Rabbi Bender. “Especially when we play Israeli or Yiddish songs, people respond so positively because that music really brings back memories.”Cindy Paley leads Grancell Village in celebrationThe music agenda at Fountainview at Eisenberg Village is robust. Entertainment is available two Saturday evenings a month, including a summer concert series. Music is also a pivotal component of holidays at Fountainview: the Swing Dolls, a 1940s-style, Andrew Sisters tribute band, performed this past Veteran’s Day and July 4th, and during Chanukah residents will enjoy the musical stylings of a traditional klezmer band.The Swing Dolls bring classic tunes to Fountainview at Eisenberg VillageLAJH’s myriad of music programs and therapies are made possible by the support of generous benefactors including The Steven Ohren Foundation—dedicated to assisting the elderly with medical and living expenses, with a special emphasis on the Jewish population—and Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, a longtime supporter of LAJH residents, which recently made a gift to help expand LAJH’s music programs. Individual donors are also essential for the ability of the music programs to thrive.Residents at LAJH find many opportunities to showcase their own musical talents, as well. Whether playing a piano inside one of the residential buildings, staging a Passover play or Purim spiel, or teaming up with fellow residents to write and compose songs, many talented residents participate in the world of music available to them.Residents of Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center wrote and performed their own musical Purim spiel“Music truly infuses everything at LAJH,” says Annette Weinberg, LAJH’s campus lifestyle and enrichment director for Eisenberg Village. “Watching residents’ faces light up when the music starts is just the most amazing thing.”
Nov
25
Los Angeles Jewish Health Announces Gideon Orion and Yossi Reinstein as New Co-Presidents of The Guardians
(RESEDA, CA – November 25, 2024) On September 1, 2024, Gideon Orion and Yossi Reinstein commenced their two-year term as Co-Presidents of The Guardians, a philanthropic volunteer group of Los Angeles Jewish Health in its 86th year supporting LAJH. The duo were unanimously confirmed by the board of directors earlier this year. The focus of the group is to raise funds to support the 4,000+ seniors cared for by the non-profit organization each year. Yossi and Gideon have a rich history with both The Guardians and LAJH. They had previously served The Guardians as Co-Chairs of the Young Men's Division, held various executive board positions, and have been integral in chairing some of the organization’s largest events, including the 2023 Guardians Comedy Night featuring Sarah Silverman and Jeff Ross (Yossi), and the 2024 Guardians Real Estate Dinner honoring Ben Leeds and Fred Leeds (Gideon).For Yossi, The Guardians and Los Angeles Jewish Health have long been part of his life, with his grandfather, Harry Berrin, having served as Guardians President in 1975. "The mission of The Guardians and Los Angeles Jewish Health is immensely near and dear to me," said Yossi, who after moving from Boston to Los Angeles was encouraged to join The Guardians by family friend and renowned philanthropist Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer. Gideon's Guardians story began over a decade ago, with former CEO-President of Los Angeles Jewish Health, Molly Forrest, inviting the new Guardian to also join the board of directors for LAJH’s Eisenberg Village and Grancell Village in-residence campuses. A nationally recognized healthcare real estate broker specializing in the sale of senior living and skilled nursing facilities, along with being elected as Co-President of The Guardians, Gideon continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Los Angeles Jewish Health and currently chairs the In-Residence Services subsidiary board.In commenting on the leadership appointments, President and CEO of Los Angeles Jewish Health, Dale Surowitz said, "We are delighted to have Gideon and Yossi take the helm, bringing their enthusiasm and fresh vision as they embark on leading the work of The Guardians over the next two years. This commitment continues to build upon the outstanding support they have already demonstrated to the seniors we care for each day at Los Angeles Jewish Health”. Yossi Reinstein and Gideon Orion ### About The Guardians: The Guardians of Los Angeles Jewish Health is a group of men and women committed to supporting the seniors cared for by Los Angeles Jewish Health. Since 1938, the mission of the Guardians has been to provide financial support for members of the community who are served by Los Angeles Jewish Health through residential and community-based programs. The Guardians Young Men’s and Young Women’s Divisions were founded to bring younger community members to support The Guardians and prepare future leaders. These groups hold activities geared to their interests as well as provide leadership and social opportunities for members in their ‘20s and ‘30s. For more information, visit LAGuardians.org. About Los Angeles Jewish Health:Founded in 1912, Los Angeles Jewish Health is the largest non-profit, single-source provider of comprehensive senior healthcare services in the Los Angeles area, serving nearly 4,000 people each year. At Los Angeles Jewish Health, thousands of seniors benefit from community-based and in-residence care and services. Programs include independent living; assisted living; senior behavioral health; short-term rehabilitation; skilled nursing; PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly); hospice & palliative care; and geriatric health and memory care. Los Angeles Jewish Health is also home to the Annenberg School of Nursing. About Gideon Orion: Gideon Orion is a Managing Director and California broker of record for Walker & Dunlop. With a focus on the sale of senior living and skilled nursing assets, over his 17-year real estate career, Gideon has closed transactions valued at over $4.0 billion on behalf of his clients, including 10 transactions valued at over $100M. A trusted advisor to his clients for his market expertise and relationships within the industry, Gideon provides a strategic role relating to the disposition of real estate portfolios, as well as single-asset sales and PropCo/OpCo joint venture transactions. Clients include traded and non-traded REITs, real estate private equity firms, national and regional senior housing operators, high-net-worth investors, family offices, and non-profit corporations. Gideon earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from California State University, Northridge, and is a former California Champion Speaker for Toastmasters International. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Los Angeles Jewish Health, and chairs the In-Residence Services Board for LAJH. About Yossi Reinstein: Yossi Reinstein is an accomplished real estate developer and the Principal of Maker Kitchens Group, a forward-thinking development firm specializing in the acquisition and repurposing of distressed industrial and retail assets into vibrant multi-tenant Commercial Kitchen Centers. His innovative approach to real estate not only revitalizes neighborhoods but also supports local food entrepreneurs.As a guest lecturer at UCLA Anderson School of Management's Ziman Center for Real Estate, Yossi shares his insights and expertise with the next generation of leaders in the industry. His dedication to community service is evident through his active involvement in various philanthropic initiatives. He co-chaired The Guardians' Young Men's Division from 2015 to 2017 and played a key role in rebranding The Jewish Home for the Aging to LA Jewish Health. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Vice President of Public Relations for The Guardians, where he furthered their mission of support and advocacy.In 2019, Yossi helped the Pico Union Project rebuild their Commercial Kitchen Commissary, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing local food infrastructure. He also contributed to the strategic planning committee for Habonim Dror and Camp Gilboa, assisting the organization in navigating cash flow opportunities related to valuable real estate assets they needed to reposition. An alumnus of the Community Leadership Institute of the Jewish Federation, Yossi completed a two-year program focused on effectively aiding individuals in need across Greater Los Angeles. His commitment to community engagement extends to international outreach, having spent ten days in Israel in late 2022 meeting with local leaders to explore avenues for support.Yossi has also served on the Brawerman Fellowship Selection Committee for 2022 and 2023, where he evaluated hundreds of applications and helped allocate grants to deserving Jewish high school students in need.He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Hannah, and their three children: Walter, Billie and Jane. Yossi’s passion for real estate development, community service, and education reflects his dedication to making a meaningful impact both locally and beyond.