On Wednesday and Thursday, we did two brand new things for Cedar Village. First, we had a full Health Care Seder, bringing together folks from throughout our nursing home for a truly lovely family-like lunchtime event.  In past years we have had two Seders at the same time, one on each floor.  Bringing everyone to the Cohen Center allowed us to create a much more special environment and a wonderful, successful event.  We had some very lovely moments watching family members, of multiple generations, with their loved ones; hearing the participation on the part of the residents in attendance, especially when Rabbi Walter asked them, just before we sang "Dayenu," what they were thankful for; listening to voices raised in familiar melodies they have sung all of their lives. 

Thursday's new event was a Chocolate Seder!  Believe it or not, we had chocolate Seder plates; our karpas was strawberries and we dipped them in chocolate; our charoset was chocolate chips mixed with caramel coated matzo; our maror was bittersweet chocolate and even our matzos were chocolate coated!  Yes, we had four cups, they were all filled with (what else?) chocolate milk.  The Seder is one that was written by a Hillel group and we were delighted to find it and use it.  In case you were concerned, our "festive meal," consisted of cheese, fruit and matzo crackers. And it all took place in mid-afternoon so we didn't make a meal out of all the sweets, although we clearly could have!  We had such fun with this program and we are already making it a part of next year's planning.

As we head into May, we look forward to many special events and programs.  Eight Over Eighty is, of course, May 19 and you still have time to make a reservation if you haven't already.  We'll have a Yom Hazikaron program here on Monday, May 9 at 3 p.m., just before the community observance at the JCC, timed so that you can be at both events if you so desire.  We have a Spring Fling on Tuesday May 10, our semi-formal dinner dance which will be preceded by a Salon and Spa Day for residents.  And on Wednesday May 11, we're having a Murder Mystery tea party and luncheon. 

On Thursday May 12, we are having our very first Cedar Village Chesed Day.  We'll be packing items for Operation Thank You Troops, holding an "un-birthday party" and luncheon at the Center for Respite Care and making our regular Shabbat baskets for Jewish Hospital in the afternoon.  Our residents are still committed to giving back to the community and our Chesed Corps, and this special day, are ways we help facilitate that.  We could use your help with Operation Thank You Troops-we have a big barrel in the lobby and we'd love to see it filled through your donations!  Staff and residents are already donating items but we'd be thrilled to have a lot of things to send when we pack them on May 12.  Some of the items that are recommended are:  travel size toothpaste; deodorants; hand sanitizers; mouthwash; puzzle books; decks of cards; candy (no chocolate); t-shirts (M, L, XL).  No aerosol cans are permitted.  We thank you in advance for your support of this effort!

All the best,