AJAS e-Update - May 2010

Association of Jewish Aging Services e-Update	May 2010

Conference News
Leaders from organizations across the US, Canada, the UK and Australia attended the 2010 AJAS Annual Conference and 50th Anniversary Celebration in Atlanta, Georgia.

Click here to view photos from the Annual Conference. Special thanks to our wonderful photographer, Marty Goetz, president and CEO of River Garden Hebrew Home in Jacksonville, Fla., and incoming chair of AJAS.

For those who attended the Conference, CEU certificates and NYU certificates were mailed last week. If you did not receive your certificate, please contact Lesley at lesley@ajas.org.

What AJAS Conference Attendees Are Saying...

"This was my first AJAS Conference. At our staff meeting this morning I said it was one of the most stimulating/thought provoking meetings I'd attended. Great selection of speakers, program topics, tours and people."

"The speakers were amazing....top notch...great program."

"If I had only one conference to choose from each year this would be it."

"Idea exchange among colleagues was excellent."

"It is my favorite conference of the year....great networking.....great programs and speakers...always feel energized."

"AJAS is the only opportunity we have to get together and talk, lay leader and professional alike with with mission driven not-for-profit Jewish communities - virtaully all of whom are engaged in similiar challenges. The insights gained from formal sessions and informal networking are extremely helpful in shaping our own strategy."

Mazel Tov to the 2010 AJAS Award Recipients!

2010 Dr. Herb Shore Award of Honor
Dorothy Giannini-Myers, president/CEO of Tower One/Tower East in New Haven, Conn.
2010 AJAS Trustee of the Year Award
Stephen Berman, past president of the William Breman Jewish Home, Atlanta, Ga.
2010 AJAS Professional Award
Karen Flam, director of the Maimonides Geriatric Centre Foundation, Montreal, Quebec
2010 AJAS Mentor of the Year Award
Hedy Peyser, director of volunteers of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Rockville, Md.
AJAS Humanitarian of the Year Award
Doris Torti, activities director of B'nai B'rith Homecrest House, Silver Spring, Md.
AJAS Jewish Programming Awards
         Cedar Village B'nai Mitzvah Mission, Cedar Village, Cincinnati, Ohio
         Tree of Life: Community Building Through the Arts from the Roots Up, CJE SeniorLife, Chicago, Ill.
         Menorah Lighting Extravaganza!, Kobernick House and Anchin Pavillion, Sarasota, Fla.
         The Tzedakah Box Project, Los Angeles Jewish Home, Reseda, Calif.

Click here to view the proclamation by President Obama

AoA Sponsoring Walk for Older Americans Month

This year, the Administration on Aging (AoA) will sponsor a walk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). Staff and the seniors in the area are invited to join on Thursday, May 27 to participate in Age Strong! Live Long! Walk. The one-mile walk will be one of several activities we have planned for that morning to celebrate the accomplishments of older Americans and to promote their increased physical activity by highlighting the role it plays in healthy lifestyles for our aging population. If you have questions about the 2010 Older Americans Month celebration, please contact Carol Crecy, AoA's director of outreach and consumer information, at carol.crecy@aoa.hhs.gov.

Upcoming Events

Fall Symposium
October 18
Maimonides Geriatric Centre
Montreal, Quebec

2011 AJAS Annual Conference
2011 Conference Dallas

For information about upcoming events, please contact Lesley Libo, program director, at 202-543-7500 or lesley@ajas.org.

Scribe

Would you like to see your news featured in the summer issue of the Scribe? Please send articles to lesley@ajas.org by Monday, May 24.

Scribe Spring 2010

To view the spring issue, please click here.

2010 Executive Compensation & Benefits Survey Conducted for AJAS Member Organizations

2010 surveys have been sent to each member organization CEO.
The quality and value of the database are dependent on strong participation by AJAS members, as well as the completeness of survey submissions received. Please make every effort to complete the questionnaire in its entirety to make this database as robust as possible.
If you have any questions, please email Harvey Tillipman, president and CEO, at harvey@ajas.org.

JHAL Residents Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day Children

Photo Caption: From left, Jewish Home Assisted Living residents Rose Lansey, Ruth Howard, and Sonya Oshman worked on activity books for Earth Day with students from Roberge Elementary School, both in River Vale

Residents at the Jewish Home Assisted Living in River Vale, N.J. celebrated Earth Day 2010 along with twenty children from Roberge Elementary School, also in River Vale. Student teacher Sarah Singer said that the students wanted to do something special for the day so she wrote a play for them about Earth Day, which focused on saving trees. In addition to performing the play, the students worked on an activity book with the residents about conserving energy.
When they returned to Roberge that day, the students did some Earth Day posters and performed the same play for parents later in the week.
(Chuck Berkowitz is vice president/CEO)

Congressman Visits Jewish Home for the Elderly in Fairfield, Conn.

Photo: Dorothy Freedman, of Westport, Andrew H. Banoff, president and CEO of the Jewish Home, Congressman Jim Himes, and Ken Wirfel, of Weston

Congressman Jim Himes spoke before a group at the Jewish Home for the Elderly in Fairfield on Sunday, April 25, 2010. He delivered his remarks in an intimate setting to an audience predominately made up of Jewish Home residents, their families, Jewish Home board members and staff. Himes engaged them in a dialogue about seniors' issues, health reform, Medicare and Medicaid. He responded to questions on a variety of subjects, and answered them with clear knowledge and sincere candor about the political process. In particular, he stressed the importance of effective and efficient health care, as well as providing exceptional care to older adults according to their needs and desires.
"Congressman Himes is a strong advocate for elders and everyone who cares about them", said Andrew H. Banoff, president and CEO of the Jewish Home. "His visit was a wonderful opportunity to experience first-hand his dynamic energy and commitment to issues that really matter".
Himes represents the 4th Congressional District which includes Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton (part), Stamford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton.

Congratulations to Richard Schwalberg of Menorah Park: a Finalist of Crain's Cleveland Business' Healthcare Hero Awards

Richard Schwalberg, administrator and COO, of Menorah Park in Cleveland, Ohio, was honored at an awards banquet on May 6 and was included in the awards announcement issue of Crain's. Richard received this honor for his dedication in ensuring older adults get individual needs met even if they have reached the Medicare therapy cap through an exception process. Richard has been a leader in advocacy for this and other challenges that impact the aging population. These issues remain top of mind with legislators and White House officials thanks in large part to Richard's dedication.
(Steve Raichilson is president/CEO of Menorah Park)

JCHE Board Selects New President and CEO

Amy Schectman, an accomplished and highly regarded leader in affordable and subsidized housing and development in Massachusetts, has been named president and chief executive officer, effective August 16, 2010 for the Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly. Schectman will succeed Ellen Feingold, nationally recognized as an expert in the area of affordable senior housing who is retiring after 28 years of distinguished service as president. Under Feingold's leadership, JCHE has grown substantially since its establishment in 1965 as the Jewish community's response to an affordable housing crisis for seniors.

AJHSA

Are you a member?
The mission of AJHSA is to maintain a nationwide network and outreach program of Auxiliary Leaders, Volunteer Directors, Development Directors, and other staff and lay leadership in order to promote understanding between agencies to provide new ideas that support our agencies financially, programmatically, and educationally; to solve common problems; to advocate services for the elderly and long term care programs; and encourage leadership development to strengthen the role and stature of Volunteers and Auxilians.
Become a member for $250 per year.

Save the date for the AJHSA 35th Annual Symposium

The 2010 Symposium will be held in Toronto, Ontario May 15-18, hosted by Baycrest.

For information on AJHSA membership or the Annual Symposium, contact Carol Saltzman, president, at carolsaltzman@aol.com.

Thank You AJAS Sponsors!

Diamond
Lewis and Clark LTC RRG, Inc.
Morrison Senior Living
Ponce de Leon LTC RRG, Inc.
Sodexo Senior Services

Platinum
Cain Brothers
Herbert J. Sims & Co.

Gold
Dixon Huges, PLLC
Kwalu
McKesson Medical-Surgical

Silver
Aegis Therapies
HealthPRO Rehabilitation
Korn/Ferry International
Ober|Kaler
Omnicare
Perkins Eastman
Ziegler Capital Markets

Please visit our sponsors' websites

AJAS Member Benefits

CEUs
Significant discounts on Annual Conference registration
Online discussion groups for CEOs, CFOs, marketing & development staff and lay leaders
The Scribe, the e-update and the Washington Update
One complimentary subscription to the Journal on Jewish Aging per member organization
Regional Forums - free-of-charge
Free Webinars on hot topics in the field
Complimentary job postings on the AJAS website

Jewish Home in Montevideo, Uruguay Needs Your Help

Dan Reingold, president and CEO of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale in Riverdale, N.Y. had the privilege of visiting the Jewish Home in Montevideo, which is the only such Home in Uruguay. They are in need of beds, wheelchairs, walkers, furniture, etc. If any AJAS members are renovating or replacing, the president of their Home will pay for shipping a container.
For more information, please contact lesley@ajas.org.

Abramson Center for Jewish Life Honors Staff for "A Year of Peace, Love and Quality Improvement"

Rep. Schwartz, along with Carol Irvine (left), president and CEO, and Scott Crespy, PhD, (right), with residents Ida Tenor (left), Lenore Sklar (right) and Marilyn Spencer (seated).
The Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life welcomed U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz to the Center on April 19, where she greeted residents and spoke about healthcare reform. During her visit, Rep. Schwartz, along with Carol Irvine, president and CEO, and Scott Crespy, PhD, quality improvement officer, recognized residents Ida Tenor, Lenore Sklar and Marilyn Spencer for their involvement in Center initiatives to help staff better understand resident needs.
(Carol Irvine is president/CEO)

Jane Ginsburg Appointed Director of Philanthropy at Daughters of Sarah Jewish Foundation

"We are excited to have someone of Jane's caliber assume the responsibility of coordinating the Foundation's activities," said Mark Koblenz, president. Jane replaces Rosemary Linsider, who relinquished her position as executive director of the Daughters of Sarah Jewish Foundation to move to Israel with her husband, Joel Linsider. Inspired by the mandate, "Justice, justice shall you pursue," Jane comes to Daughters of Sarah with a law degree as well as a professional record of development expertise and a history of supporting efforts on behalf of the elderly and Jewish communities.
(Mark Koblenz is president)

JHAL Celebrates Take Your Child to Work Day

Photo Caption: Chris Avillo with daughter Brianna and JHAL resident Claire Schneider.

To celebrate Take Your Child to Work Day, some staff members of the Jewish Home Assisted Living in River Vale, N.J. brought their children to the facility on Thursday, April 22, 2010. It was a good opportunity for children to see what their parents do every day and the place where they work. In addition, the youngsters added to the fun for residents by participating in activities throughout the day.
(Chuck Berkowitz is vice president/CEO)

Jewish Home for the Elderly Staff Sing-Along

Singin In the Rain

Rosalie Kaufman, TRD, and Linda Ann Biancardi, Coordinator of Therapeutic Recreation are "Singin' in the Rain" at the Jewish Home for the Elderly Staff Sing-Along in honor of Nursing Home Week.
"The Staff Sing-Along has become a Nursing Home Week tradition at The Jewish Home," said Andrew H. Banoff, president and CEO, of the 360-person facility in Fairfield, CT. "Giving back to the residents is very important to us, plus we want to have fun together. When the men and women in the audience join in the songs, clap in rhythm and give us their applause we know our goals have been achieved."
(Andrew Banoff is president/CEO)

Parker Jewish Institute Residents Raise Funds for the Arbor Day Foundation

The residents of Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation may be elderly, but they're engaged in the world and care what happens to it. So when the month long Earth Day celebration kicked off recently, they decided to have a fundraiser for the Arbor Day Foundation.
Arbor Day reportedly began in the U.S. in 1872 and has spread throughout the world, being celebrated on every continent except Antarctica. For every $1 donated to the foundation, a tree will be planted in America's Parks, according to Berlin.
In the "auction room" on Thursday, April 29, there was all the electricity of a day at Christie's or Sotheby's. Sharp eyed bidders examined the offered merchandise - much of it donated by staffers - and many items were bid up to the maximum of $5.
"They're buying for themselves and for gifts for their grandchildren," explained Catherine Mercadante, the Institute's supervisor of therapeutic recreation. "Although there are two people here buying gifts for each other," she added.
Al Gordon and Regina MacKay are card partners, and wanted to get something nice for each other. Once each had successfully bid on that perfect something, the auction was halted for a moment so they could exchange gifts.
"We're friends," Gordon said.
The residents are also friends - of the environment. The auction raised $180, meaning 180 trees will be planted thanks to the generosity of the Parker Jewish residents.
(Michael Rosenblut is president/CEO)

Journal on Jewish Aging

Volume 3, Number 2 of the Journal on Jewish Aging is here and you don't want to miss it!
To subscribe, click here then click the "Buy Now" button. Subscriptions are $72/year in the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, copies of all issues of the Journal on Jewish Aging are available for purchase from the AJAS office. For ordering and pricing information, please contact Lesley Libo at 202-543-7500 or lesley@ajas.org. To view the tables of contents from previous issues, click here.
JJAV3N2Cover

Love the Cover Art for the Journal?

The editorial board is seeking resident artwork to be featured on the next cover of the Journal on Jewish Aging. Artwork should have a vertical orientation and be able to fill a 6" x 9" space. If you are interested in submitting a piece on behalf of a resident, please email a photograph or high-res image to Lesley Libo, editor, at lesley@ajas.org by June 21.

JCSA News

Young Professional Award Nominations
Established in 1972, the Young Pro is awarded to distinguished young professionals who have demonstrated exemplary service and commitment in their profession.
To qualify, one must be 35 or younger and have three to ten years of experience as a Jewish communal professional.
The Award includes $1000 for educational enhancements, as well as a $1000 subsidy for travel to the JFNA General Assembly in New Orleans, where the awards are presented.
To nominate an outstanding young professional, download a nomination form at www.JCSANA.org. Deadline to submit is August 11, 2010.

Board Announcement
Jacob Solomon, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, has been elected as president of JCSA and Aileen Gitelson , president of the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged, has been elected as a vice president.

Send Us Your News!

Would you like to see your organization, staff, outstanding programs and great news mentioned in the e-Update? Please send a quick email with the information you would like to share to Lesley Libo, program director at lesley@ajas.org. Then, look for your news in next month's e-Update.