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RESEDA – The Los Angeles Jewish Home’s annual “Longest Day of Golf” fundraising event has been renamed “The Bill Belzberg Memorial Longest Day of Golf Benefitting the Los Angeles Jewish Home.” The 17th annual golfing event will take place on Monday, July 7, 2014 at the Woodland Hills Country Club, 21150 Dumetz Rd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364, starting at 6:00 a.m. and wrapping up at sundown. The renaming of the event is a tribute to Bill Belzberg for his longtime commitment to the Home. He was an avid golf enthusiast as well as a noted philanthropist. He assumed leadership roles in, and financial support for, a wide variety of Jewish and non-Jewish causes in Los Angeles, Israel and Canada. With respect to the Jewish Home, Bill and his wife, Barbara, were charter members of the Marilyn and Monty Hall Statesmen Society and important sponsors of many Jewish Home events, including the “Longest Day of Golf” for previous years. The purpose of the Longest Day of Golf is to golf as many holes as possible and ask business acquaintances, friends and relatives to sponsor participants for a certain amount per hole or a flat donation. Every hole completed means additional funds to benefit the thousands of seniors the Home serves in the Los Angeles community. The all-day event has participants golfing from sunrise to sunset with a goal of raising funds based on the number of holes played. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Denise Horowitz at (818) 774.3324 or [email protected]. Founded in 1912, the non-profit Los Angeles Jewish Home is among the largest providers of senior healthcare services in Los Angeles. Each year, more than 4,300 seniors benefit from the Home’s community-based and in-residence programs. Community-based programs include the Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC), a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Jewish Home Care Services, Skirball Hospice, Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine, the Ida Kayne Transitional Care Unit, the Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit and community clinics. Two village campuses in Reseda serve seniors with independent living accommodations, residential care, skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitative care, and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The Home recently broke ground on the Gonda Healthy Aging Westside Campus in Playa Vista, CA. that is slated to open in 2016. Further information regarding the Jewish Home can be found online at www.lajh.org or by calling (818) 757-4407.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, residents of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, one of the largest providers of senior care in Los Angeles, offer a wealth of dating tips in a new YouTube video that can be viewed at ((video link)). In the video, 28-year-old Jonathan seeks dating advice from Esther, Charlotte, Irving, Ellis, Norm, Evelyn, Joyce, Joy, Sherlee, Joe, Herb and Lee – all 80 and 90-something-year-old seniors living at the Home. And they aren’t shy about offering advice and expressing their opinions. The conversations cover a range of dating topics from how to meet a “nice Jewish girl” via technology, to sex on the first date.Jewish Home residents who participated in the video have hundreds of years of combined dating and happy marriage experience. They are always happy to convey their wisdom to anyone who needs it. Founded in 1912, the non-profit Los Angeles Jewish Home is among the largest providers of senior healthcare services in Los Angeles. Each year, more than 5,000 seniors benefit from the Home’s community-based and in-residence programs. Community-based programs include the Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC), a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Jewish Home Care Services, Skirball Hospice, Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine, the Ida Kayne Transitional Care Unit, the Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit and community clinics. Two village campuses in Reseda serve seniors with independent living accommodations, residential care, skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitative care, and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The Home recently broke ground on the Gonda Healthy Aging Westside Campus in Playa Vista, CA. that is slated to open in 2016. Further information regarding the Jewish Home can be found online at www.lajh.org or by calling (818) 757-4407.

RESEDA – Molly Forrest, CEO-President of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, has been honored with the “Pioneer Women Award” by the Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission’s mandate is to advance the general welfare of women and girls in the Los Angeles community and ensure all women have full and equal participation in City government. Nominated by Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Ms. Forrest was selected as one of 17 recipients of this prestigious award. Award ceremonies were held at Los Angeles City Hall on March 27, 2015. “This award is bestowed on women throughout the City of Los Angeles who play vital roles in advancing gender equality, and Molly certainly meets that criteria,” Councilmember Blumenfield said. “Considering all her accomplishments as CEO-President of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, this is a well-deserved honor.” Added Ms. Forrest, “I am honored the Commission has recognized me for this important award. I gratefully accept and share it with the Home’s dedicated board members, donors and staff. It is through their combined efforts that the Los Angeles Jewish Home is a leader today. The Home provides seniors with cutting-edge healthcare and housing on our campuses and in private homes across Los Angeles. As an employer and through our Annenberg School of Nursing we serve to train nursing students for careers in healthcare and hope many of our graduates will choose to join the wonderful staff of our Home. The Jewish Home provides a wonderful place for men and women to work together, help others and build the strength of our community.” Founded in 1912, the non-profit Los Angeles Jewish Home is among the largest providers of senior healthcare services in Los Angeles. Each year, more than 5,000 seniors benefit from the Home’s community-based and in-residence programs. Community-based programs include: Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC), Skirball Hospice, Jewish Home Care Services, Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine, community clinics, the Ida Kayne Transitional Care for short-term rehabilitation and acute psychiatric care in the Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit. Our Reseda campuses serve seniors with options for independent-living, residential care, skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The Home recently announced plans to build the Gonda Healthy Aging Westside Campus in Playa Vista, CA. Further information regarding the Jewish Home can be found online at www.lajh.org or by calling (818) 757-4407.

Reseda, CA – September 26, 2016—The Los Angeles Jewish Home hosted a special celebration to recognize its 39 residents who turned 100 years of age or more this year in observance of National Centenarians Day. The residents, their families and friends, along with special guests, were treated to a celebratory lunch, a gorgeous birthday cake, music and other festivities. (View the event on Facebook here.) Following a blessing by Rabbi Karen Bender, Molly Forrest, Los Angeles Jewish Home CEO-President, welcomed everyone. A video featuring all of the centenarians along with their tips for a long life came next and was a huge hit with the crowd. Centenarian representation Myrtle Feenberg, age 100, spoke humorously about her life and said how she was looking forward to 101 and 102. “I decided there had to be a reason why I made it to 100, and then it dawned on me: It has to be attitude and forgiveness,” Feenberg said. “The party atmosphere among our centenarians was palpable,” said Forrest. “They were so excited to have their friends and family celebrate their longevity with them. Interestingly, five percent of our residents are 100 or older.” She added that the number of centenarians in the U.S. has risen a hefty 44 percent from 2000. Bill and Judy Dragin recently had their 50th wedding anniversary and were celebrating with both their mothers - Marian Stearn is 105 and Fae Dragin is 103. “Not very many guys who have a mother-in-law who will live to be 106,” Bill Dragin said smiling. National Centenarian’s Day is observed annually on September 22 to honor those who are 100 years of age or older. The day is suggested as a time to listen to centenarians as they have rich history and wisdom to share. About Jewish Home Founded in 1912, the non-profit Los Angeles Jewish Home is among the largest providers of senior healthcare services in Los Angeles. Through its innovative Connections to Care program, more than 6,000 seniors benefit from the Home’s community-based and in-residence programs. Community-based programs include the Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC), a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Jewish Home Care Services, Skirball Hospice, Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine, the Ida Kayne Transitional Care Unit, the Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit and community clinics. Two village campuses in Reseda serve seniors with independent living accommodations, residential care, skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitative care, and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The Home is building the Gonda Healthy Aging Westside Campus in Playa Vista, CA which is scheduled to open at the end of 2016. Further information regarding the Jewish Home can be found online at www.lajh.org or by calling (818) 757-4407. Media Contact: Tellem Grody Public Relations, Inc. Susan Tellem [email protected] (o) 310-313-3444 x1; (m) 310-613-3504

(RESEDA, CA – July 9, 2018) Andrew Berman, an entertainment industry veteran with over 35 years of experience in global sales, marketing, and content acquisition, has assumed a two-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Jewish Home. His new role began on July 1, 2018. A native Angeleno, Berman has a long history of philanthropic involvement in his local community. His work with the Jewish Home has particular resonance. "I believe it's an obligation to give back, and I've always had an affinity for seniors," Berman says. "I'm thrilled and honored to have this role." Jewish Home CEO-President Molly Forrest points to Berman's record of success in business and his longstanding commitment to strengthening nonprofits as key assets to the Home's growth and development. "Andrew is a distinguished leader with a proven ability to get results," she says. "We are delighted he will be applying his knowledge and expertise on behalf of the thousands of seniors we serve." Berman's focus at the Jewish Home is expanding programs and services to cover Los Angeles' growing senior population. This includes spreading the positive message about the Home to donors and other supporters throughout Southern California. "This is such an impressive and amazing organization, and so many people aren't fully aware of all the services and lines of care that we offer," he notes. "Whether they are accessing independent living, skilled nursing, or memory care, our seniors receive extraordinary care. A big part of the reason is the loyalty and dedication of the people who work here – many of them have been with the Home for 20 or 30 years. They are truly invested in what they do, and it shows." Berman plans to leverage that investment, building on the Jewish Home's distinguished Brand and legacy of impact. "The Jewish Home makes a significant difference and impact in seniors' lives every day," he says. "How many other organizations can say that?" "The Jewish Home is fortunate to have extremely capable men and women serving on our board," says David Swartz, the Board of Director's outgoing chair. "Andrew Berman is a stellar example: His knowledge, dedication, and experience will undoubtedly take the Home to a new level of excellence." In addition to his work with the Jewish Home, Berman has served in a volunteer capacity with organizations including the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (past president, Board of Trustees), Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services (Capital Campaign Committee), and Stephen Wise Temple (Board of Directors) and Connecting to Cure (Board member.) Berman grew up in Beverly Hills but has spent the past three decades living in the San Fernando Valley. He and his wife, Marci, have two adult daughters. He graduated from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in radio, television, and film.

(RESEDA, CA – June 20, 2018) Molly Forrest, Chief Executive Officer-President of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, has been selected as chair-elect of LeadingAge California, the state's top advocacy group for nonprofit senior living and care. Her two-year term begins July 1, 2018. Forrest is the first leader of a Jewish home to hold this position, helming an association representing nearly 600 members statewide who together serve more than 100,000 California seniors. LeadingAge's critical work assists the state's older adults with the full continuum of care including issues related to affordable housing, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, home- and community-based care, and skilled nursing. "For more than half a century, LeadingAge has demonstrated an unflagging commitment to raising awareness about seniors' needs and putting them front and center on the state and national policy agenda," Forrest says. "I look forward to carrying that tradition forward as we seek to make a difference for California's rapidly expanding senior population." That expansion – an expected 87 percent increase in California's senior population by 2030 – is resulting in unprecedented growth in the market for services. In the next two years alone (through 2020), LeadingAge projects an 80 percent increase in the demand for aging-related healthcare. "This is a challenge facing all Californians of every age," Forrest says. "Our system for providing senior care is inefficient and fragmented, and everyone pays for that. LeadingAge is playing an instrumental role in helping us think through how we as a society can finance the care our seniors deserve." Vision and experience were vital factors in Forrest's recent elevation. "Molly's leadership on the LeadingAge board and at the Los Angeles Jewish Home propelled her to this position," says Jeannee Parker Martin, LeadingAge's President and CEO. "We are thrilled by her election." Forrest has served on the LeadingAge board since 2009, most recently as vice chair. At the Jewish Home, she has spent over 22 years overseeing incredible growth and revitalization. The Home serves more than 4,000 seniors annually on campuses in the San Fernando Valley and on L.A.'s Westside, providing award-winning independent and assisted living, specialized memory care, short-term rehabilitative care, hospice care, and groundbreaking community-based services. To build the organization's capacity, Forrest has generated a remarkable groundswell of donor support: The Home – one of the leading senior healthcare systems in America – is on its way to completing an ambitious $265 million campaign to provide quality senior care for future generations. A graduate of Oregon State University, Forrest is a nationally prominent advocate for equity and excellence in senior care. She frequently advises high-level figures across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and is an in-demand guest speaker on geriatric issues for leading healthcare, eldercare, and nonprofit organizations in California and across the country. In addition, Forrest is active in a variety of community organizations, serving as past chair of the Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS), the California State University Northridge (CSUN) Professional Health Care Administration Committee, on the CAL-PACE Board of Directors, and on the LeadingAge CA Strategic Planning Committee. She is a recipient of the Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California Allan J. Kassin Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement, San Fernando Valley Business Journal Health Care Leadership Award, Jewish Free Loan Association Ben & Anne Werber Communal Service Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from American Jewish University, among many others. LeadingAge California has represented nonprofit senior living and service providers since 1961. Whether testifying at public hearings, building coalitions, visiting member communities, or engaging with elected officials, the organization actively works to create systemic change through advocacy that strengthens members' viability and supports innovations in the delivery of aging services.

COVID-19, a strain of the Coronavirus, has recently been in the news. The Los Angeles Jewish Home (LAJH) and all of its programs have no identified threat at this time. Currently, there are only a handful of cases in our city, but that is likely to change. Our leadership team is staying abreast of the situation and monitoring communications from the government programs that advise health care institutions. On March 4, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced “Actions to Address Spread of Coronavirus.” CMS announced several actions aimed at limiting the spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Specifically, CMS issued a call to action to health care providers across the country to ensure they are implementing their infection control procedures. Los Angeles Jewish Health has answered that call. We are maintaining and supplementing our infection control procedures. Our priority remains the protection from harm of the most vulnerable members of our community. In that regard, we are implementing several actions: We suspended sending our residents out into the community for social activities.We are cancelling group activities of our residents where they interact with people from the outside community.We are asking visitors to minimize coming to see our residents and educating them not to come if they are not well.We have assessed our inventory of protective equipment (gowns, gloves, masks) and determined we currently have an adequate supply (but we ordered more).We will screen all new admissions if they have any of the known risk factors to transmit this virus.We have been educating and training our staff on how to follow the published guidelines on how to minimize spreading of this illness.Additional cleaning of our environment will occur using products that we have been told kill this virus.We will minimize our staff gathering in one room for routine discussions and use other forms of communication when appropriate.We will continue to stay in direct communication with state and local public health agencies.We will begin a process to screen visitors if they have any of the known risk factors to transmit this virus (as instructed by CMS). The CDC has made recommendations on how to prevent the spread of the virus. Like the flu, thorough handwashing is the best technique to prevent the virus. Below are other recommendations: Stay Home. Do not leave your residence if you feel ill. Call your doctor to report your illness. Refrain from going into public places.Separate yourself from other people in your home. If you live with others, it’s best to separate yourself to another room, and if possible to use a separate bathroom.Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, and dispose of it into a trash can. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow. Wash your hands after.Avoid sharing household items. Avoid sharing drinking glasses, dishware, and towels. These items should be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water after use.Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds, with friction. Use alcohol based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Good hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread. Please help keep our residents safe. Please do not come onto our campus for routine visits. If you feel ill or have come in contact with someone who is suspected of having COVID-19, DO NOT VISIT. It is unlikely that we will be able to provide a visitor screening process 24 hours per day. Therefore, visiting hours will be restricted to the times when we have clinicians available. You will not be allowed to enter our facilities if it is determined you pose a risk to those we serve. It is our commitment to you to inform you of any changes of our plans or instructions we get from public health agencies. Thank you for your partnership. Noah Marco, M.D.Chief Medical OfficerLos Angeles Jewish Home

(Reseda, CA — June 23, 2020) Molly Forrest, CEO-President of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, has been inducted into the Hall of Honor in the McKnight's Women of Distinction awards, a joint program of McKnight's Long-Term Care News and McKnight's Senior Living. The program, in its second year, recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the senior living and skilled nursing professions or who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the fields. Forrest joined the Los Angeles Jewish Home as CEO-president in 1996. Forrest—a nationally prominent advocate for equity and excellence in senior care—led the Home through its most ambitious expansion in its history, developing a broad diversified healthcare system of its programs and services for today's seniors. Forrest's involvement with the issues of senior care extend well beyond the Los Angeles Jewish Home. Widely recognized for her expertise in this area, she has served on state and national boards dealing with senior health care, and testified before Congressional Committees in Washington, D.C. The Home serves more than 4,000 seniors annually on campuses in the San Fernando Valley and on L.A.'s Westside, providing award-winning independent and assisted living, specialized memory care, short-term rehabilitative care, hospice care and groundbreaking community-based services. "I am honored by this recognition. As we at the Home navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, I am grateful for the courage and hard-work of my colleagues at the Jewish Home," said Forrest. "Our staff, donors and volunteers all share a deeply held commitment to ensure the health and safety of our residents and clients. Those we serve are the most vulnerable in our society. It is my privilege to have worked alongside them all of these years. I share this honor with each of them." "Molly's commitment to the Jewish Home has elevated us to become a global leader in providing nurturing and the highest quality of care for seniors," said Andy Berman, chair of the Los Angeles Jewish Home's board of directors. "Her hard work, dedication, vision, and extraordinary leadership have been priceless assets during the course of over two decades of running the organization." "The dedication and commitment shown by our Hall of Honor recipients truly sets them apart," said McKnight's Editorial Director John O'Connor. Forrest is part of a class of 22 Hall of Honor inductees. Nominations were judged by an external panel of industry experts. All winners will be honored July 28 during an online celebration. An educational forum will follow on July 29. To see the full list of inductees, and for more information about the program and to register for the events, visit www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com. The Diamond sponsor for the McKnight's Women of Distinction program is PointClickCare. The Silver sponsors are OnShift and PharMerica.

(RESEDA, CA – March 15, 2022) History will be made at the Los Angeles Jewish Home, Thursday, March 18 as beloved resident and Holocaust survivor Frieda Thompson turns 92 on the same day she will be called to Torah for her Bat Mitzvah. This date also marks the 100th anniversary of when Judith Kaplan, at age twelve, became the first American girl to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah on March 18, 1922. Frieda Thompson, whose parents were murdered by the Nazis, still recalls that one of her mother’s final actions was to ensure her brother was called to Torah for his Bar Mitzvah even as there was chaos all around. Frieda studied for her Bat Mitzvah a few years ago, but COVID-19 prevented gathering as a community at that time. Now, with family flying in for the big day, Frieda will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah during the weekly Shabbat Eve. Service, in the Weinberg Courtyard of the Jewish Home, in front of loving family, caring staff, and dozens of fellow Jewish Home residents. When asked what this day means to her, Frieda offers, “Moses was loyal to his family and to the Jewish people. I too have always felt loyal to my family and the Jewish People.” In commenting on the significance of this lifetime milestone Rabbi Karen Bender commented, “As a small child, Frieda was forced to raise her hand and call out ‘Heil Hitler’. Today her voice rings out as a cherished leader among her peers.” Note: Media interested in attending the Service/Bat Mitzvah must be fully vaccinated/boosted/masked – and must RSVP in advance.

After 24 years as president and CEO of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, Molly Forrest is stepping down and making a lateral move, to become president of the Jewish Home Foundation. Dale Surowitz, CEO of Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center will replace Forrest beginning Oct. 1. Read more › Author: Leslee Komaiko · Publication: Jewish Journal · Date: July 12, 2020