We began the New Year as we always do at Cedar Village, as a family and as a community.  Our services were well attended in both the Synagogue and Temple and, in fact, Rabbi Walter reported that the Erev Rosh Hashanah service was the largest attendance he can remember!  It is a very special time for all of us to be together and it is a uniquely Cedar Village experience, because of our two houses of worship, to be able to hear the shofar first in the Synagogue and then in the Temple.  If you would like to join us for  Yom Kippur services, of course you are more than welcome.  No tickets, no reservations necessary-just come and be part of our Cedar Village family.

One of the other very special things that took place this week was a visit to the Cincinnati Jewish cemeteries.  This is an annual event that we offer to the residents of our Oak View and Fountain View apartments.  Both Rabbis Walter and Yudin participate, each on one of the two buses that we take.  Our transportation staff  drive to the cemeteries and sections that the residents have requested and at each stop there is an opportunity for prayer, reminiscence and sharing.  It is a very meaningful event for our residents, especially at this time of year and has become an important part of our holiday tradition.

OMA (Opening Minds through Art) began for the fall semester today.  OMA is a special program that we do through our partnership with the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University.  It is an amazing project that uses creative tools to help our older adults, especially those with cognitive impairments, to express themselves and to experience all of the benefits that creative activities can provide.  OMA art for the previous semester is always displayed in our art gallery hallway.  Hope you have a chance to see it-you will be truly amazed and inspired.

Don't forget to visit our Western Wall replica and leave us your notes and prayer to take to Israel.  We leave in just over a month and would be privileged to take your words with us to be placed in the Wall in Jerusalem.

All the best,  

carol@cedarvillage.org