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As senior residential care facilities nationwide have adapted and developed emergency protocols for administering the coronavirus vaccine, the Los Angeles Jewish Home has been at the forefront. Its secret weapon: an on-site pharmacy in one of its buildings, with a clinical pharmacy residency program that enables the Jewish Home to acquire, dispense, and monitor medications effectively and efficiently for the residents of that building. During the pandemic, the existence of this program has resulted in an organized vaccine clinic, allowing more people to get immunized, at a faster rate, than at many other senior care homes across California and around the country. "It's unusual for an organization like ours to have in-house pharmacists, but I believe it's the future for all long-term care facilities," says Noah Marco, MD, chief medical officer at the Jewish Home. "Among the many things doctors at a place like the Jewish Home do in caring for patients is prescribing needed medications, and as a physician I think there's no better resource than having a pharmacist stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you to improve care." Having an established pharmacy gave the Jewish Home an important advantage when it came time to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. "We were well positioned because we have essential equipment like medication refrigeration for the vaccine, and we also meet all the compliance requirements for pharmacies, which means we're able to handle and distribute the medication in the proper way," Dr. Marco says. "Many other facilities that had not invested in that process are currently struggling." The benefits go well beyond COVID-19, notes Aida Oganesyan, PharmD, the Jewish Home's director of pharmacy services. "The pharmacists are a timely resource for our clinicians where time is often of the essence," she says. "Since caring for Jewish Home residents is our full-time job, we can rapidly and proactively communicate important information when the prescriber and patient need it." Based at the Jewish Home's Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center, Dr. Oganesyan serves the entire organization, across multiple campuses. She got her start at the Home eight years ago, fresh out of pharmacy school. "I was the Jewish Home's first pharmacy resident, in 2013-14," she recalls. "Geriatrics had always been of interest to me, and when I heard about the program at the Home, I was immediately excited to learn more. As it turns out, I loved it so much, I decided to never leave!" The pharmacy residency program is a joint effort of the Jewish Home and Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) College of Pharmacy, located in Pomona. Each year, the program accepts one resident—a recent pharmacy school graduate—who spends 12 months at the Jewish Home gaining critical hands-on experience. WesternU also sends its current pharmacy students to the Jewish Home for six-week clinical rotations during the academic year. The program is run by Janice Hoffman, PharmD, who splits her time between WesternU and the Jewish Home. Dr. Hoffman says the Jewish Home has been an ideal site for this accredited residency program. "The Home is a special place. You feel part of the family here. And everybody wants to do what's best for the patient, regardless of what that requires. It's not stagnant, everyone is willing to try new ways, and there is a willingness to listen and adapt." Since the program launched in 2013, the clinical services that pharmacy residents provide at the Jewish Home have continued to grow exponentially. "In the beginning, we were just working with the Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit (AGPU). Then we created an antibiotic stewardship program for our Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer (JEK) Medical Center residents. Our first project outside of the JEK building was an anticoagulation monitoring program that was developed for all Jewish Home nursing residents. After that, we pioneered a program wherein residents who experience a fall get a comprehensive medication evaluation by our pharmacists. Our current fellow, Rachel Stone, is running our new hypertension medication management program, which we're piloting in JEK to try to reduce the number of medicines seniors take and the number of times they have their blood pressure taken daily and weekly. Most people do not need to have their blood pressure measured as often as it typically is; perhaps once daily or weekly may be enough," Dr. Hoffman says. For Dr. Stone, who graduated with a PharmD from the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy at the University of Pacific in May 2020, being at the Jewish Home is an opportunity to develop her knowledge of geriatric psychiatry, which she plans to make her career specialty. "At AGPU, I'm able to participate in interdisciplinary team rounds with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, activities coordinators and dieticians. It's great because I get to contribute my recommendations from a pharmacy perspective as I'm learning about the whole continuum of care," she says. She is also a central part of the Jewish Home's vaccination effort, supervising the pharmacy interns from WesternU and leveraging her expertise to help immunize residents and staff. "I always feel great when someone tells me they didn't feel anything after getting the COVID shot—it means I've done my best with my technique to make sure people don't get hurt!" she says. Dr. Stone administered the second dose of the vaccine to Dr. Marco. "While she was preparing the shot, I was reflecting on how unique the Jewish Home is," Dr. Marco says. "Through our fellowship and pharmacy, we're simultaneously able to help train up-and-coming professionals and to benefit our residents with access to a fully licensed pharmacist. As far as I'm concerned, it's just another reason the Jewish Home stands heads and shoulders above the rest!"

At the Los Angeles Jewish Home, we nurture the minds, bodies, souls and spirits of our residents. And, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we are developing fresh—yet familiar—ways to engage with the seniors who are in our care and currently sheltering in place. Members of our activities teams have partnered with our culinary, physical therapy and spiritual life teams to come up with mental- and physical health-enhancing activities that our residents can enjoy even while socially distancing. Annette Weinberg, Lifestyle and Enrichment Director for the residential care community at Eisenberg Village (EV), hosts internationally themed "Nosh & Nibbles" events, featuring treats and music from a different country on a weekly basis. For resident birthdays, she is making sure no one feels forgotten. She is delivering sweet treats and a birthday card, posting a birthday sign, as well as singing and dancing outside their doors.Weinberg is also collaborating with the Physical Therapy department to offer a Fitness Challenge three times a week. Residents – limited to three at a time for social distancing purposes—take part in a series of fitness activities such as bean bag toss, wall pushups, tai chi, golf (putting skills), and water bottle bowling. "Three of us work with the residents, so each gets one-on-one attention," she says. Responsive to Requests At the Goldenberg•Ziman Special Care Center and Max Factor Family Foundation Nursing Buildings, Activities Team Leader Sandra Valdovinos, hosts activities geared toward residents with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. To help keep residents' minds alert, Valdovinos organizes sing-a-longs (their favorite song is "For Me and My Gal"), word games, craft projects and – of course — Bingo, all while keeping everyone a safe six-feet apart. While the activities—such as Bingo and the crafts, for instance—were once communal, Valdovinos has adapted them so individual residents can partake. She is also responding to resident requests for additional activities. "They tell us what they want," Valdovinos explains. Some of the new activities including distributing more challenging word games and crossword puzzles for residents who are up for more intellectual stimulation.The Sunshine Group Josie Mata, activities leader at the Home's Mark Taper Skilled Nursing Building, and her team have also adapted their activities, including what they call the "Sunshine Group." "We take residents out into the courtyard and they listen to music played through a speaker. While outside, they enjoy some fresh air and do some exercises, all staying six-feet apart from each other in small groups," she says. "Our residents especially love this activity these days because they get to have a break from being in their rooms and breathe fresh air—all while singing and dancing along to their favorite songs." To keep residents in touch with family members and loved ones, Mata and her team have started to do video calls via Facetime and Zoom. "That's something we have never done before," she says. "It's great because the calls benefit both the families and the residents. We use iPad tablets, which were donated to the Home. We disinfect them before and after each resident uses them." "Being able to see each other's faces and talk to their families means a lot to our residents," she says. Lifeline Recently, while watching the nightly news, Fountainview at Eisenberg Village resident Joy Picus, a former Los Angeles city councilmember, noticed a high number of female doctors were being interviewed as medical experts. She reflected on how, when she was in college, it was rare for women to attend medical school and actually shocking if a woman practiced medicine. The world had changed, she thought, for the better. Picus realized that this was a positive takeaway during the COVID-19 crisis and wondered if anyone else had noticed similar bright spots standing out from the bleak news of the day. Problem was, being shut in her room, how would she learn what was on the minds of other residents? She reached out to Activities Coordinator Lauri Kamiel and Lifestyle & Enrichment Director Carolyn Clark. They happily organized "Joy's Takeaway," a Thursday afternoon conference call that Fountainview at Eisenberg Village residents could join. More than 20 residents hopped on the call, contributing their own takeaways. Some shared how they were reminding themselves to be patient, to take every day as it comes. Others wanted to share some good news, such as a granddaughter graduating medical school; another graduating high school, and one continuing her education to business school. "Mazel tov!" a chorus of residents gleefully shouted. "This has been a lifeline," one resident said as the call was ending. "It really helps." Personal Pastoral Touch At Eisenberg Village, Rabbi Ron Goldberg, says his pastoral role has increased with the new sheltering in place rules. With EV residents limited from group activities and visits from family and friends, Rabbi Goldberg is on the lookout for those who may be feeling more isolated than others. "If I don't see a resident for two days, I go to find them and knock on their door," he says. "I want to just to be certain everything is well. And as I travel the campus, residents want to reach out to me, to talk, to share, to voice their fears and concerns. They are not looking for me to solve the world's problems, but what is of real value to them is my ‘actively listening' to their words and thoughts." For Rabbi Karen Bender, the Home's Skirball Director of Spiritual Life and the campus rabbi for Grancell Village, the personal dose of pastoral care is manifesting in myriad ways. Rabbi Bender has helped wrap tefillin on a resident who needed help; brought a yahrtzeit candle to a resident who wanted to say Kaddish and delivered a personalized tallit to a resident on her 90th birthday (which was also the day she was supposed to have her adult Bat Mitzvah.) Technology to the Rescue As the shelter-in-place rules have restricted gathering together for Shabbat, Rabbi Bender began to implement new technologies such as Zoom, as well as more traditional ones such as television and telephone conference calls (organized by the activities teams at Grancell and Eisenberg Villages), to reach the full spectrum of Jewish Home residents. Each Friday offers an opportunity for Rabbi Bender to stream the Shabbat experience right into the residents' own rooms. She has even enlisted her two children to join her as she sings songs and offers inspiring messages. "I'm streaming from my home to theirs - this allows for a more hamish, less technical feeling," she says. Teaming up with Rabbi Goldberg, the two rabbis were able to conduct holiday services for residents at both Grancell and Eisenberg Villages. Together they have broadcast Passover and a Yizkor (memorial) service. Because they usually led services simultaneously at the separate campus, they had never co-led a service before. "For our residents a chance to see both rabbis at the same time was special," says Rabbi Goldberg. "In our five years of working together, we had not co-officiated a service. We received some grateful feedback from the residents at EV for the Yizkor service." Rabbi Bender has also featured residents themselves in her videos. To celebrate Yom Haatzmaut, Rabbis Bender and Goldberg recorded residents from both campuses wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Israel. The short video was then broadcast throughout both campuses. Yet, with all of the revamped activities, there are some that remain reassuringly familiar. "Our residents always like their extra cup of coffee in the morning," says Valdovinos. "That hasn't changed. I see that as a blessing, that they can start their days with what they love, a cup of coffee."

The Jewish Home’s Annenberg School of Nursing (ASN) is bustling with activity! As the vocational nurse (VN) Class of 2016 prepares to graduate on July 14th, recruitment is in progress for the Class of 2017. The school is hosting Open House informational events on June 7th, July 19th, and August 2nd. Led by ASN director Marie Cordeiro, MN, RN, these events include an overview of the program, admissions process, financial aid, curriculum, and clinical sites. Cindy Thomas, admissions coordinator, and Barbara Noblet, financial aid director, will be on hand to discuss important enrollment information and answer questions. In order to reach more potential students, ASN is also making Open House info available on their website. Online you can view a PowerPoint presentation, which provides an overview of the program, admissions process, financial aid, curriculum, and clinical sites. You can also see videos featuring current VN students talking about their experiences at Annenberg and sharing the impact ASN has had on their lives. If you’re interested in the field of nursing, ASN offers three ways to begin and expand your career: The 12-month, full-time vocational nurse (VN) program includes classroom and skills lab instruction as well as clinical training at local hospitals and other sites. A VN is trained to administer medication, change dressings, monitor vital signs, and maintain patient charts. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN® licensing examination. The 22-day nurse assistant (NA) program focuses on all aspects of patient care. A NA learns to monitor vital signs, perform basic procedures and assist patients with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, and shaving. The program is designed to prepare students for passage of a state certification examination. The home health aide (HHA) program trains students to help people who are elderly, disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They help with activities, such as bathing and dressing, and provide services such as light housekeeping. This is a five day (40 hours) program. Registration for the nurse assistant and home health aide programs are ongoing. There is a growing demand for nurses at every level as our population continues to age and nurses retire from the field. It is anticipated most future openings will be in nursing care facilities and home health care services. The number of VN positions in particular are expected to grow 25% from 2012 – 2022, faster than all other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Annenberg School’s vocational nurse Class of 2017 is scheduled to begin on September 6, 2016. For more information, please register to attend an Open House by calling Cindy Thomas at (818) 757-4431 or visiting the ASN website at www.asn.edu

Jewish Home resident Michaela Mendelovici enjoys a heartwarming visit from her loving son, who came all the way from Israel. 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."Jewish Home resident and Holocaust Survivor Michele Pakula holds hands with daughter Suzanne Berman as they reunite for an in-person visit. 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."Suzanne shows Michele photos of relatives, making up for lost time. 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!" Michele and daughter Suzanne hug during an in-person visit.

Older adults and their families across Los Angeles turn to Los Angeles Jewish Health for compassionate, quality care. We provide critical programs and services that nurture their wellness and offer safe and attractive housing options – and they vote with their hearts, turning to us in increasing numbers to meet the full range of their living needs. This summer, Angelenos have been voting for Los Angeles Jewish Health in several ways: In August, the Los Angeles Daily News will publish its popular Readers’ Choice awards, and Los Angeles Jewish Health will receive two important distinctions. The paper will recognize Los Angeles Jewish Health's Fountainview at Eisenberg Village as “Best Retirement Community” and the Annenberg School of Nursing as “Favorite Nursing School.” “The accolades are recognition of the organization’s longstanding reputation for excellence,” says Los Angeles Jewish Health CEO and President Dale Surowitz. “Los Angeles Jewish Health has been making a positive difference in our community for generations, whether it’s through our residential living, comprehensive care, or community programs,” he says. “We’re so grateful for these honors, which reflect the commitment of our incredible staff to raising the standard of care for older adults nationwide.” Fountainview at Eisenberg Village, located in Reseda, along with Fountainview at Gonda Westside, nestled in Playa Vista, continue to redefine possibilities in independent living. As full-service Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), our Fountainview properties enable older adults to age in place knowing Los Angeles Jewish Health is available to meet all of their future healthcare needs. The award for the Annenberg School of Nursing comes on the heels of another significant milestone: Last summer, practicalnursing.com ranked the school among the top three nursing schools in California. An aging population and the COVID-19 pandemic have sent demand for expert nursing care through the roof, and the Annenberg School of Nursing has proudly worked to meet this demand as they continue to graduate some of the state’s most talented nurses poised to improve health outcomes and transform patients’ lives. Photo taken prior to COVID “It’s always nice to be recognized for hard work and high achievement,” Dale says. “The bottom line is that at Los Angeles Jewish Health, we love what we do, and it shows.”

The Jewish Home's Levy-Kime Geriatric Community Clinic recently received a makeover, including upgraded equipment and amenities. Located on the Eisenberg Village campus, the clinic provides residents with primary and specialty medical care. "The medical care we provide is convenient, easily accessible and essential to the well-being of our residents," says Stephen Martinez, Ph.D., executive director of the Levy-Kime Geriatric Community Clinic and the Los Angeles Jewish Home's Independent Practice Association (IPA). Martinez oversaw the renovation of the clinic, which is open weekdays. "These renovations are the result of our striving for the highest level of wellness for our residents," he says. "We upgraded to maximize our space and modernized the look of the entire clinic. We went through each room and identified what was needed, whether it was new equipment, lighting or a coat of paint." In addition, new works of art now adorn the walls of the Clinic, thanks to the efforts of Nancy Katz and Nancy Meshulam, co-chairs of the Jewish Home's Art Committee. For Dr. Noah Marco, the Home's chief medical officer, the upgrades are a source of pride. "I am so honored to join my clinician colleagues to work in such a healing environment," he says. Dr. Marco notes that he is particularly proud of the new space for counseling and psychotherapy. Formerly a doctor's office, the room, he says "feels like a living room. It is a relaxing and healing space and has a different feel than most outpatient clinics." Martinez adds that he's witnessed how the aesthetic improvements have had a psycho-social benefit for the residents. "Just improving the appearance of the clinic improves the overall satisfaction of our residents and increases their feelings of comfort and community," Martinez says. Resident Leslie Scales, who recently visited the clinic for a podiatrist appointment, definitely approves of the clinic's refreshed look. "It's lovely," she says. "I especially love the new artwork!" Above all, however, Scales praises the care she receives at the clinic. "The nurses couldn't be any better. They are so accommodating," she says. "I'm pleased with all of my doctors here and with the care I get." And that's the payoff Martinez seeks. "It's so satisfying to see the residents go into the clinic and emerge feeling grateful," he says.

The Los Angeles Jewish Home treasures all the beloved mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers in our care. Their safety and well-being is our top priority. As always, the Home wants these women to have a special and meaningful Mother's Day celebration. This year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional World's Largest Mother's Day Celebration will be for residents only. As part of the celebration, the women at the Home will receive a gift, special meal and a nice day to show our love and appreciation! If you wish to pay tribute and honor your mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, the Home will create and produce a digital tribute journal that will include tributes and special messages. The digital tribute journal will be distributed via email to over 15,000 people so the entire community can celebrate our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. We will also have copies available on a USB device so all of our residents can view it. If you wish to place a special message in our tribute journal, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call Denise Horowitz at 818-774-3324.

This month we commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, to honor the six million Jews, including 1.5 million children, who died in the Holocaust at the hands of Nazis and their collaborators. Naturally it is a very solemn day in Israel and among the international Jewish Community. Here, at the Los Angeles Jewish Home, we have many Holocaust Survivors as residents. As you can imagine, our observance does not feel like a historical reflection, but rather like a real and living recall of an unprecedented horror. Our survivors are amazing, strong, inspiring. On their behalf we promise to never forget. What many people do not realize is that "Holocaust Memorial Day" is not actually the name of the holiday. And its translation, "Yom Hashoah," is not the name of the holiday in Hebrew. The full name of the holiday is Yom Hazikaron laShoah v'la'Gvurah, which means, "Remembrance Day of the Holocaust and of Heroism." Notice the difference. By remembering to add the word, "Heroism," we shift the focus to include something positive. This is not a day when we only remember the 6 million who were taken. We also remember the courageous survivors. In addition, we honor those who struggled against the Nazis, like those who fought to the death during the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Moreover, we celebrate the many Christian Rescuers and Righteous Gentiles who risked or gave their lives resisting evil and saving Jews. There are the famous four people who helped to hide Anne Frank's family: Miep Gies, Johannes Kleiman, Victor Kugler and Bep Voskuijl. And thanks to Steven Spielberg, we know about Oskar Schindler's heroic rescue of 1200 Jews. Israel acknowledges the Righteous Among the Nations with trees planted at Yad Vashem, the memorial in Jerusalem. But we must also remember the many brave and virtuous who were surely anonymous. A farmer here, a neighbor there, that never received credit for resisting evil and rescuing Jews if they themselves were caught or if those they attempted to protect were eventually captured. Indeed Viktor Frankl, the Jewish psychiatrist who survived Auschwitz, acknowledged that even there he observed Nazis who defied orders and tried to help inmates. Even amid the darkness there are inspirational lights. What does this mean for us in 2018? Of course we have an obligation to remember the Holocaust. We must also recall the genocide against the Armenian People perpetrated even before the Holocaust. We need to pay attention to world events and not be silent in the face of evil wherever it may happen. "Never again" is a mandate, not an ideal. A week or so after Yom Hashoah we celebrate Israel's Independence Day, Yom Haatzmaut. Israel turns 70 years old this year! And while the dream of a return to Zion where Jews would be safe and living peacefully with her neighbors in dignity on all sides has not completely come to fruition yet, this old/new State is growing every day and each year. We can be proud of all of Israel's innovations and accomplishments and be grateful that the Jewish People have a homeland again, a place to which we can always return home.

As it continues to build on more than a century of providing an array of high-quality residential living options and care for older adults in Southern California, the Los Angeles Jewish Home is unveiling a new name: Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH). The updated identity reflects our commitment to offering area older adults a full complement of exceptional programs and services and a comprehensive continuum of care – whether that care is at home, in the community, or on one of our beautiful campus settings. With a new name and a continued focus on meeting diverse needs, Los Angeles Jewish Health meets older adults where they are in life, providing a customized experience. “Over the years, as the needs of our community members have grown and changed, we have evolved, too, expanding the scope of healthcare services we provide. It is now the right time to transition to a name more reflective of the vast array of older adult care services and living options available through Los Angeles Jewish Health, while still remaining true to our mission and Jewish values,” says Dale Surowitz, CEO and President of Los Angeles Jewish Health. The values piece is at the core of Los Angeles Jewish Health’s distinguished history of service, Dale notes, and nothing about that is changing. “We are committed to our roots, and we’re the same organization we’ve always been, with rabbis on staff to help celebrate Jewish holidays, share Jewish teachings, and care for all those we serve with the same quality of care, respect, kindness, and compassion that has been the reputation of the Jewish Home for over a century,” he says. “But we also want to make sure people know that all are welcome here – that anyone can come and receive the kind of quality care, service, and attention we’ve always been known for.” Shifting demographics mean Los Angeles Jewish Health is increasingly serving a more diverse population of older adults. By 2030, one in five Americans are projected to be older individuals. Older adults 85 and older are the fastest growing segment of this population and are expected to increase five-fold over the next 30 years, from four million in 2000 to 21 million in 2050. Los Angeles Jewish Health has kept pace with these trends: What began as a modest residential facility at the turn of the previous century has grown into a one of the nation’s leading health systems for older adults, providing for a rapidly expanding elder population with a broad range of geriatric and specialty healthcare needs. “The Los Angeles Jewish Home name served us well for more than 100 years, but it doesn’t describe what we do now as an organization,” says Andrew Berman, chair of Los Angeles Jewish Health’s board of directors. “We are a healthcare organization for older adults, and although people do reside with us, we offer so many other services beyond what you would expect from just a ‘home.’ Our new name encompasses much more while also honoring and respecting the past and better describing who we are, what we do, and where we’re heading.” Going forward, as we continue to reach new segments of the growing older adult population, the LA community will continue to benefit from the same remarkable, standard-setting care. “As we have for more than 100 years, we will dedicate ourselves to contributing Los Angeles Jewish Health’s extensive experience and medical expertise toward better health outcomes for all older adults,” Dale says. “At Los Angeles Jewish Health, that’s a promise!”

What a difference a year makes! Last fall, we ushered in Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur amidst a global pandemic that kept people isolated in their homes and unable to connect with loved ones. This September, as the High Holy Days circled back around, residents of the Los Angeles Jewish Home had the opportunity to kindle the festival lights once again—in person—with fellow members of their caring community. This year, Grancell Village residents gathered and prayed with Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender and singer Benzy Kogen in the campus's beautiful outdoor space. Rabbi Ron Goldberg and Cantor Joel Stern led lovely services in the synagogue at Eisenberg Village and on the outdoor patio of the Home's acclaimed Goldenberg•Ziman Special Care Center. No matter the venue, the sense of joy was evident, as residents came together to mark the start of a new year and to share thoughts and feelings about the 12 months ahead. "We were thrilled to offer a number of different types of services, including a special High Holy Days experience that was less traditional and more music-based," Rabbi Bender says. "This approach was particularly meaningful for our residents with memory challenges because music is often what speaks to them most powerfully." Given the ongoing public health requirements around COVID-19, residents' families were not able to join them on campus for the services, although they are now able to visit at other times. "Safety is always number one at the Jewish Home, and we have to protect everyone," Rabbi Bender explains. "By limiting our residents' exposure to larger groups of people, we helped minimize risk, thus keeping everyone at the Home healthier." Rabbi Bender says you could feel the electricity in the air during this year's High Holy Days at the Home. "There was tremendous enthusiasm throughout the campuses. You could tell how appreciative the residents were that our internal community could be together again!" Rabbi Bender says. "It was this sense of residents feeling as if they were part of something big, like in ancient times when people would always gather at the Temple for holidays. It was really special." While all participants at the High Holy Day events were masked and social distanced to ensure maximum safety, for those residents who felt more comfortable remaining in their rooms, the Jewish Home also livestreamed services on closed-circuit TV. However they chose to participate, residents found the support and assistance they needed. "During this time of year, I'm always mindful that, although aging in place is fantastic for people who can do it, there's nothing quite like having the kind of built-in community we have at the Jewish Home," Rabbi Bender says. "I would guess 95 percent of seniors across Los Angeles didn't have the luxury of attending in-person services this year. But at the Home, all residents had to do was say ‘yes,' and the services were made available to them." This access to services extended to Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths. Rabbi Bender welcomed residents to the Jewish Home's sukkah, which she noted was the largest she had ever seen. Inside, she encouraged residents to speak aloud the names of people—loved ones or historical figures from their imagination—with whom they would like to celebrate the holiday. Then she offered up a meaningful symbolic blessing to include them in the festivities: "Let us invite them to ‘come into the sukkah' to be with us here today." The Simchat Torah celebration was so joyful it was a highlight of the year for many residents. The Torah was completely unrolled for all the residents to see. Festive music played as enthusiastic staff helped residents dance with the Torah. Rabbi Bender shared that the Home has always been a terrific place to mark important Jewish milestones. "One of the amazing things about the Jewish Home is, if you happen to be Jewish, we provide everything you would have experienced at your home and at your synagogue," she says. "We recognize Judaism is a tradition that's practiced both at synagogue and in the home. Living here, we cover all the bases."