Dear friends,
We're ready for the possible snow across the Jewish Home Family--and, of course, hoping it doesn't happen! Our staff always go "above and beyond" and, when the weather is challenging, they go even further to ensure that there is never any disruption is care or services for our residents. We have many staff who stay overnight, others who come in early or stay late to be sure that we have the coverage that we need. While these events are challenging, there is also an element of team spirit that is almost palpable, everyone knowing that they are "in it together" and united in making sure that all is well across our system.
At the Jewish Home at Rockleigh this week we began on Sunday with "Beyond Bingo" hosted by volunteers from Shaare Tefillah Synagogue. The families played both traditional and human bingo games with the residents. On Sunday afternoon our Afternoon of Music program featured the New Jersey Music School who presented a wonderful concert with both classical music and some old favorites. A good time was had by all. Jewish Home University's program this week featured "The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr." The program featured the story of Dr. King's life and we also showed the video of his "I Have a Dream" speech. One of our residents remembered participating in the March on Washington and she shared her memories with us.
In the Gallen Day Center we began the week with a meditation program and then a fun new exercise program. We had a concert by volunteer David Cohain who played his bassoon for us! An innovative program, Clay Creations, focused on working on our hand muscles, especially for those with arthritis. Later in the week we had our Opening our Minds through Art program, always a big hit.
Some of our Jewish Home Assisted Living residents began the week with a visit to Coco Nails for manicures and pedicures. Everyone came back smiling from this little bit of pampering. On Memory Lane we kicked off the week with a piano concert by volunteer Greg Baron and there was lots of singing along. On Tuesday we had our interactive live visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art. This week the exhibit was on Biblical Representations: Old Testament, which prompted many questions and comments. On Wednesday we celebrated our January birthdays and on Thursday we had our second annual "brownie bake" with volunteers from the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. These brownies are part of an annual event in memory of Gilad Shaar, an Israeli teen who was abducted and murdered by Hamas in 2014. His parents began this event and each year people from around the world come together, bake and donate the baked goods in Gilad's memory. We finished the week with Professor Ian Drake speaking on "Issues Confronting the New Congress."
A number of our management staff spent two full days in training this week. We are working with the Green House Project and getting ready to change the way we approach the long term care experience. The new model will, we believe, help us to be even more resident-focused and help individuals to have an enhanced quality of life. Stay tuned for more details as we move forward!
All the best,
Carol Silver Elliott
President/CEO
The Jewish Home Family
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Volunteer Opportunity of the Week
Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? Do you enjoy meeting and conversing with new acquaintances? If you answered yes to both questions, then volunteering in our gift shop is the perfect opportunity for you! This is a once-a-week commitment for 2 hours. Openings are on Mondays or Wednesdays.
For more info or to sign up, contact Director of Volunteers Stacey Orden at sorden@jewishhomefamily.org or 201-518-1175
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10 Link Drive Rockleigh, NJ 07647 | 685 Westwood Ave. River Vale, NJ 07675