Dear friends,
The holiday spirit is in full swing at the Jewish Home Family! If you have time on your hands on December 25, get in touch with Stacey Orden, sorden@jewishhomefamily.org, and find out how you can join us for a great day of volunteering!
![]()
At the Gallen Center his week we spent time creating beautiful decorative ornaments and dreidels to keep and to give during the holiday season. We also had several days of "holiday shopping," and not surprisingly, everyone seemed to find the perfect gift to give that perfect someone in their lives! Our shopping was the best kind, with everything free, many of the items donated by our wonderful staff members. There were plenty of holiday games this week and of course, a wonderful pre-holiday meal featuring a choice of either brisket or stuffed capon, accompanied by latkes.
At Jewish Home Assisted Living we began our week with students from Temple Emanuel and our monthly intergenerational art through the generations program. This month the students paired with the same elder they worked with last month. The continuity is important for all who participate. This month’s project was all about their Hebrew Names after the class was complete everyone left with Monday's highlight was a visit from Ralph Coen of the Debate School of New Jersey. We also had a shopping trip to Burlington Coat Factory. On Tuesday we had a wonderful visit with the Cleveland Museum of Art. We are also continuing to watch the series The Crown and many elders joined us to watch and snack on some popcorn. Wednesday began with music and movement with Rafael. Volunteer and former Assisted Living board member Mike Bergstein was on hand to help with some fun using our It's Never 2 late system and we celebrated birthdays on Memory Lane with entertainer Randy Accardi. Thursday began with fitness class and we also had Yiddish Club and Tai Chi. In the afternoon we held a community solidarity vigil in honor of those killed in the Jersey City. Friday included "Today' Headlines with Beth and a visit from Professor Ian Drake whose lecture was entitle “Important Cases Pending before the U.S. Supreme Court."
At the Jewish Home at Rockleigh we began our week with live music, art and trivia. “An Afternoon of Music” featured the Mariann Paul School of Dance from Paramus in their annual visit. On Monday morning our elders had many meaningful activities to choose from, including Steady Boxing, Music and Fun, Community Circle, You Be the Judge and Games. In the afternoon the elders were excited to get together for the musical rehearsal. Kaplen 2 elders enjoyed Jewish Traditions with Rabbi Feld and our Women’s Club had an interesting conversation about clothing and hairstyles over the years. On Tuesday we had a lovely visit from the Rosenbaum Yeshiva Boys Choir Concert in the morning. The boys sang Chanukah songs and led us in a sing-a-long. That was followed by our annual pre-Chanukah "elegant dining" with the National Council of Jewish Women. Wednesday included Catholic Mass with Father Jerry from St. Anthony’s Church, Culinary Club, Prop It Up and Sound of Music programs. Later the elders actively participated in chair fitness in Kaplen 2 unit and Happy Tunes in Seiden unit. Our special event took place in the Social Hall 2. In recognition of Gingerbread House Day on December 12, our Jewish Home Family elders had great fun making their own beautiful (and delicious) gingerbread creations! On Thursday we had another "tech visit" with students from Yavneh Academy. Jewish Home University featured “Thanks for the Memory; Music from Several decades” by Anthony Gray. And we wrapped up the week on Friday with a number of activities including LaughActive, Men’s Club, Bulletin Board Trivia, Happy Hour, Karaoke fun, Music and Manicures and Community Circle programs.
All the best, ![]() Carol Silver Elliott
Volunteer Opportunity of the Week
Share some holiday cheer by volunteering with the residents of Jewish Home Assisted Living in River Vale and Jewish Home at Rockleigh on Wednesday, December 25th, 2019. Select from a whole host of activities and time slots. Refer to the holiday flyer for the activity schedule. Registering in advance is a must to select desired location, activity, and time slot.
Please contact Stacey Orden, Director of Volunteer Services at sorden@jewishhomefamily.org or 201-518-1175 with questions or to sign up.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]()
10 Link Drive Rockleigh, NJ 07647 | 685 Westwood Ave. River Vale, NJ 07675 |