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| Just send in your news, press releases and photos to Heather Gordon, program associate, at heather@ ajas.org.
Deadline for January e-Update:
January 24, 2011
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As 2010 draws to a close, we want to thank everyone for their support during this transition. Keep an eye out for legislative updates after the New Year;
newly elected the 112th Congress will convene January 5. The We look forward to matching voices with faces at the 2011 Annual Conference. See you in Dallas!
Have a happy and healthy New Year,
Marla, Monica, and Heather
Award Winners Announced
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 AJAS Awards. Congratulations to all!
Dr. Herbert Shore Award of Honor
Marshall Seiden, CEO of Menorah Manor (Florida)
Trustee of the Year Award
Andrew Shott, board member, Cedar Village (Ohio)
Professional of the Year Award
Barbara Hiney, executive vice president of MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care (New York)
Young Executive of the Year Award
Stuart B. Almer, executive vice president, Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation (New York)
Mentor of the Year Award
Peer Mentor Home Health Aide Program/Health Professional Youth Mentoring Program from Jewish Home Lifecare (New York)
Jewish Programming Award
Kobernick House and Anchin Pavilioin (FL) - "Meshpucha Across the Miles"
The Hebrew Home at Riverdale (NY) - "Derfner Judaica Museum"
Menorah Park Center for Senior Living (OH) - "I Do Again...A Dream Come True"
Jewish Senior Life (MI) - "Shabbat Shalom by Phone"
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Dorothy Giannini-Meyers
Leaving a Legacy, Tower One Tower East
 | | Dorothy with Past Presidents of the Board |
When Dorothy Giannini-Meyers became CEO of Tower One/Tower East in New Haven, the first thing she wanted to do was make the facility a place where her own parents could live.
She spent the next 21 years, half the eldercare facility's lifespan, transforming the Towers into a leading assisted-care and independent-living community for seniors. Now, Giannini-Meyers is retiring.
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National Deaconess Legacy Award goes to...
The Hebrew Home at Riverdale (NY)
The Hebrew Home at Riverdale received the coveted Deaconess Legacy Award from the Deaconess Associations Foundation for its ElderServe at Night program this past November. The award is selected by an independent panel of experts in the field of geriatric care. Deborah Messina, Director Adult Day/Evening Services at the Home, received the $25,000 award on November 17, 2010 on behalf of ElderServe at Xavier University's Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Click here to read more...
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Holiday Celebrations
 The Jewish Home for the Elderly (CT) and members of the Fairfield Chapter of Hadassah celebrated Chanukah. Lively music, personal greetings, and holiday cheer made the party a very special event.
Photo bottom row: Gene Kanner, Laurie Weiner, and Lillian Kanner. Standing, left to right: Jessica Kaufman, Janice Levy, Dorothy Blank and Pearl Zucker.
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Every year, the employees of the entities of MorseLife (FL) work together to collect new toys to donate to the Urban League of Palm Beach County for holiday presents for children. This year, employees collected enough toys to fill three large bins to bring happiness to worthy children in the area.
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Residents of Par ker Jewish Institute (NY) gathered to kick-off the "season of lights" on December 1 in a joyous celebration. Rabbi Elia Solomon, Monsignor Raymond Chapetto, Rev. John Mckenzie and Rev. Rolf Larsen delivered remarks, and the residents' chorus performed traditional songs.
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Village Shalom (KS) marked the holiday of Chanukah with its own "Festival o f Lights" event. The celebration combined the lighting of candles on the menorah with 100 birthday candles on a cake to honor Village Shalom residents who reached 100 or more years of age in 2010. The festivities included a performance of Chanukah music for residents, family members and the community by Shireinu, Kansas City's Jewish chorale.
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"Central Park" for Dementia Residents
Montefiore (OH)
Imagine an elder ly person with Alzheimer's or dementia strolling down the corridor of a nursing home and seeing a beautiful park - replete with green carpets that resemble cobblestone and grass, colorful indoor trees and flowers, park benches, a lamp post, virtual blue sky and a faux brick wall. The soothing sounds of nature play in the background.
That's what they would find in Montefiore's renovated Alzheimer's/dementia wing. This area was re-imagined along with the dining room and activity room to create a more ho me-like and soothing environment as a way to foster resident dignity, comfort and socialization.
This park-like setting creates a peaceful, safe and sensory-stimulating space and has led to more interaction and better communication between residents, staff, volunteers and family members.
The area that is now "Central Park" used to be the nurses' station which was relocated to an alcove area next to the park.
For more information contact Susan Lieberman, director of marketing at (216) 910-2647 or slieberman@montefiorecare.org. |
Governor's Gold Seal Award
River Garden Hebrew Home (FL)
 | | (Front Seated L-R) Virginia Pionessa, President, River Garden Resident Council; Maxine Reid, Senior River Garden Staff Member; (Back Standing L-R) Martin Goetz, CEO River Garden; Molly McKinstry, Acting Deputy Secretary, Health Quality Assurance, State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration; Elizabeth Dudek, Secretary, State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration; Janis Fleet, President River Garden Hebrew Home; Dr. Ron Elinoff, President River Garden Holding Company. |
On Wednesday, November 17 there was standing room only as River Garden was recognized for an unprecedented achievement as it received its fifth consecutive "Governor's Gold Seal Award for Excellence in Long Term Care." In a formal ceremony, Elizabeth Dudek, Secretary of the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), and Molly McKinstry, Acting Deputy Secretary, Health Quality Assurance State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, presented River Garden Hebrew Home with the prestigious award. Accepting the award was Janis Fleet, President of River Garden Hebrew Home; Maxine Reid, Dean of the River Garden staff; Virginia Pionessa, President of the River Garden Resident Council and Dr. Ron Elinoff, President of River Garden Holding Company. River Garden is the only free standing nursing home in the state to achieve this prestigious award five consecutive terms. "We commend River Garden for this extraordinary achievement. It is truly remarkable that of the 670 licensed nursing homes in Florida, a total of 13 received the Gold Seal Award for 2010-2012 and River Garden has held the award since its inception," said Agency Secretary, Elizabeth Dudek. Created in 2002, the Gold Seal Award program recognizes Florida nursing homes that have exceptionally high standards and display excellence in the quality of care delivered to their residents Martin Goetz, Chief Executive Officer of River Garden said, "We are honored and also humbled to be receiving a 5th 'Governors Gold Seal Award for Excellence in Long Term Care.' The award was earned by a caring staff, volunteers, residents, supporters, and most especially a board of directors and community that allows us to remain focused on the mission of the agency to make possible good living for older people. This is a home that has been built with love." "This is a wonderful recognition of an exceptional care agency that serves the entire community with excellence and care," said River Garden Board President Janis Fleet. "We are grateful to the Governor and members of the Gold Seal Panel for recognizing our ongoing commitment to excellence in elder care programs and services." |
Hebrew Home Centennial Gala
1000 attendees for 1000 Residents
The Hebrew Home Centennial Gala, held Saturday evening, December 11th at the Washington Hilton, marked the culmination of a year of programs and events celebrating 100 years of caring for the elderly of the greater Washington, DC area community. Over 1000 philanthropic supporters joined Gala co-chairs Helen and Leonard Abel, Sandy and Stanley Bobb, Barbara Landow Bernstein, Arlene and Steve Friedlander, Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn, Barbara and Allan Hurwitz, Vivian Pollock and Phyllis and Ron West to raise over $1 million dollars to help support the residents of the Hebrew Home and Charles E. Smith Life Communities. The black tie event featured comedian Richard Lewis as emcee and musical entertainment that spanned the decades. Warren Slavin, President and CEO, made an announcement that the public phase of a $30 million centennial campaign has now begun. He said that over $20 million of the goal had already been raised.
In the photo:
Centennial Gala Co-chairs (pictured from left) Stanley and Sandy Bobb, Arlene and Steve Friedlander, Helen and Leonard Abel, Vivian Pollock, Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn, Barbara and Allan Hurwitz, Phyllis and Rob West (not pictured: Barbara Landow) helped bring together 1000 supporters of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington to celebrate 100 years of caring for the elderly of the community.
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Celebrating 25 Years of Love
Menorah Manor
On January 22, Menorah Manor will be celebrating 25 years of love at Celebration 2011; Dessert First!. At this celebration, the Menorah Manor Family will be honoring its founding board of governors and first president, Irwin Miller (of blessed memory) who once stated "the highlight of this whole project was seeing everyone working together... Menorah Manor will grow in the future because of community, and it is very important to keep the community involved".
What started out in 1985 as the home for the elderly has now become a center for volunteerism, philanthropy, rehabiliation, assisted living and most importantly, a comprehensive system of care for seniors through multiple facilities and campuses. "Our visionary founding board and financial supporters firmly believed that a community must provide the best possibile care for its seniors,: said Marshall Seiden, cheif executive officer. "Menorah Manor exquisitely manifests that belief."
"Twenty-five years ago, few would have imagined how Menorah Manor would evolve into so much more than a nursing home," commented Eric Ludin, chair, Menorah Manor. "Menorah Manor is now able to offer a broad continuum of care for this region's seniors - it is truly a time to celebrate!"
For more information, visit www.celebration.menorahmanor.org.
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Ages of Excellence Celebration
Village Shalom
More than 350 people attended Village Shalom's Ages of Excellence Celebration on Nov. 18, 2010 at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel.
The evening included the presentation of the Helzberg Excellence in Aging Award to Sue and Joel Vile, long time supporters and leaders of Village Shalom. Mel Mallin, a Village Shalom resident and dedicated volunteer, received the Stephen J. Shoenfeld Volunteer Recognition Award.
The event featured guest speaker Jeff Greenfield, senior political correspondent for CBS News.
The Ages of Excellence Celebration raised more than $224,000 to benefit Village Shalom residents who rely on financial assistance for their care. As the only Jewish-sponsored senior living facility in the Greater Kansas City area, the organization continues to honor its nearly 100-year-old legacy of providing care for the elderly regardless of their ability to pay. Village Shalom, a community of some 225 residents, currently commits more than $1.7 million in financial assistance to nearly one-third of its main-campus population each year.
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