Dear friends,
I am not sure how to describe what we are living through right now. The only word that we have been using, over and over, is surreal. If you had told me six months ago (and I’m sure the same applies to each of you) that this scenario would be playing out in 2020 in both our country and the world, I would likely have thought you were reading too much science fiction. But this is where we are, all of us, and we are doing our best to get through it and to remember that this very bumpy road will eventually smooth out. Of course we all wish we knew what that would happen.
We had some outdoor signs erected at the entrances of both campuses this week. They read “Heroes Work Here” because that’s the message we want our staff to see every time they walk through the door. My mental image of heroes has changed a lot in the last few weeks. I used to think that a hero was a firefighter racing into a burning building to save a life; a police officer running towards danger rather than away; acts of physical courage that make many of us think “Wow, I could never do that.” Today my understanding of that word has changed forever. The heroes are the staff who come into our buildings every day. They are the people who tell their families who ask them to stay home that they can’t, that coming to work and caring for elders is not optional, it is what they do and what they must. The heroes are the people who are gloved and gowned, who are walking into rooms where there are droplet precautions posted. They are the people who are cleaning more thoroughly than ever before, the ones who are making sure that everyone has food to eat, those who stand at the doors to make sure everyone has their temperature taken and a mask to wear. My heroes are our elders who have accepted this strange new world without protest or complaint, understanding the need to eat in their rooms or apartments, understanding that group programs are just not possible at this point in time. I am grateful to each and every one as well as to the many family members, board members and community members who have reached out to offer support, encouragement and prayers. It all means more than you know.
This week we continued with virtual visits on both campuses, using a variety of programs to connect elders with family members. We also had lots of letters, cards and pictures that children have sent in for our residents. Ezra HaLevi, our Director of Communications and Technology, has put all these beautiful images into slideshows, set to music, that we’ve been running on our closed circuit channel. If you have children in your life that would like to share their artwork or cards, just let us know. You can email them to ehalevi@jewishhomefamily.org and we will happily add them to our collection of precious and meaningful art. We were also delighted to have a gift from board member Rachel Rimland, and her husband Michael. They sent over lunch for all of the staff, both at Jewish Home Assisted Living and the Jewish Home at Rockleigh. Everyone was very touched by their kindness and everyone enjoyed their very special lunch.
We’re continuing to try and keep spirits up for both staff and elders. We’re streaming lots of entertainment into rooms and apartments and continuing with one on one visits as much as possible. Today we held our second “convenience store” at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh and our first at Jewish Home Assisted Living. Staff are really pleased to be able to purchase basic food items and paper goods without having to go to the store. We’re selling everything at our cost so they’re also getting a much appreciated “bargain.”
Passover preparations are in full swing on both campuses and, while we won’t be holding our traditional Seders as a community, we will all be together virtually. Every elder will have a Seder plate and we will offer a streaming Seder through our closed circuit channel. Perhaps this year we should change “Next year in Jerusalem” to “Next year together again.” It is important for us to celebrate the holiday together and we will make it work as well as we possibly can.
This week’s blog can be found here: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/during-these-times/ As always, your feedback is welcome.
We wish you and your family a healthy and happy Passover and may this time of pandemic soon “pass over” all of us, our elders and our staff.
Be well,
Carol Silver Elliott
President/CEO
The Jewish Home Family
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Volunteer Corner
We are proceeding with our Hot Kosher Passover Meals-on-Wheels delivery on Wednesday, April 8th. Our elders in the local community need us now more than ever before. Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver these meals. Please note that volunteers will not be greeting our elders at the door, nor will they be entering any residences. Volunteer drivers will simply be ringing the doorbell and leaving the meal at the recipient’s front door. This is a wonderful opportunity to perform a meaningful mitzvah!
For more information and to sign up please contact Stacey at sorden@jewishhomefamily.org or 201-518-1175 with any questions
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10 Link Drive Rockleigh, NJ 07647 | 685 Westwood Ave. River Vale, NJ 07675