Along with everyone in the country, and around the world, we have all been touched by the tragedy that took place last week in Newtown.  We have had many conversations with our residents and staff, shared thoughts and feelings and today united for a moment of silence.  It is impossible to make sense out of an irrational act, it is impossible to comprehend hurting innocents and destroying lives.  We have grieved as a family at Cedar Village and our hearts and prayers go out to the families whose lives have been forever changed by this horrific act.

We're wrapping up our resident and family satisfaction survey this week.  This annual survey is a chance for us to find out how we are doing, not only now but as compared with data from the last two years, and compared with other facilities nationally.  If you are someone who received a survey, please take the time to fill it out and send it in. We value your opinions and would appreciate hearing from you.

The JCC Satellite project continues to move along at a steady pace and we are very excited about this new venture!  We will be offering physical therapy services at the Mayerson JCC, beginning in January. Anyone who needs outpatient therapy, at any age, will be able to use Cedar Village's outstanding therapy services at either location-at Cedar Village or at the Mayerson JCC. Some folks who will use this service at the J will be graduates of the Cedar Village inpatient service, others will be strictly outpatients who have chosen to use that location.  The therapist will be available to do evaluations on site so if a member of the JCC is in the facility and thinks they might need some therapy help, they will merely have to request an evaluation.  The therapist will provide the assessment, at no obligation, and then work with the patient and their physician if therapy is indicated.  We think that this is going to be a wonderful new service and a great new partnership with the JCC-we hope that you agree!  Watch for details as the opening date approaches--

December 25 is a date that is very special at Cedar Village.  It's part of a longstanding tradition that began in the pre-Cedar Village days at the Orthodox Jewish Home.  Then it was called "switch day" and members of the Jewish community would come in and volunteer for the day, taking over jobs that some of the staff normally performed and allowing the non-Jewish staff to celebrate Christmas with their families.  Today, it is the Friends of Cedar Village Mitzvah Day and it is the single largest volunteer event that we hold.  From early in the morning through dinner, we have volunteers who both assist with many things we do and others who enhance the day for our residents.  While we can no longer truly "switch" volunteers and staff, we can find important roles for every pair of extra hands that joins us!  We'll have our annual pancake breakfast; a concert by Dialogue, a group from Columbus; special entertainment; popcorn and treats in the lobby all day and much more.  If you'd like to join us and have not already signed up, please contact Jessica Carlson at jcarlson@cedarvillage.org.  Hope to see you then.

All the best,  

 carol@cedarvillage.org
www.cedarvillage.org