Los Angeles Jewish Health: Energizing Senior Life

A shared focus on the pursuit of justice made the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contemporaries in the American Jewish community natural allies. This past January, Los Angeles Jewish Health honored their historic collaboration with a special Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event that brought together a diverse audience to celebrate Dr. King and help carry his legacy forward.Overseen by Rabbi Karen Bender, LAJH’s chief mission officer, the gathering featured timeless music blending Jewish songs and themes with gospel sounds rooted in the African American tradition. The program was led by Hazan Mike Stein, who served as cantor of Temple Aliyah—now HaMakom—in West Hills for more than two decades and included contributions from Cantor Jenni Asher, HaMakom’s current cantor; Broadway actress Deborah Sharpe-Taylor; singer Fumani Thomas-Schwartz; pianist David Cohen; and numerous others.“Our goal was to present a fusion of music and ideas about the melding of the two cultures, Jewish and African American,” Stein says. “We sang a song I wrote with Deborah called ‘Shalom, Shalom’; ‘Wade in the Water,’ a traditional African American spiritual that was combined with ‘Mi Chamocha’; ‘We Shall Overcome’; and ‘When the Rain Comes Down,’ which speaks to the universal struggles we all go through, no matter our faith or background. Rabbi Bender also offered a beautiful d’var Torah.”The group performs music which blends songs and themes with gospel sounds rooted in the African American tradition. Rabbi Bender’s words of wisdom helped ground the emotionally uplifting musical tribute, emphasizing how the values of Dr. King align completely with Jewish values.“Our resident community at LAJH intuits the profundity of a message that relates to the principles of justice, equality, and loving-kindness,” she said.A highlight of the event was Sharpe-Taylor’s performance as Harriet Tubman. She offered a first-person portrayal of the iconoclastic activist and brought to life her role in the Underground Railroad.“The residents loved Deborah’s reenactment. She tried to embody Harriet, talking about her life, missing her husband, and bringing people to freedom,” Asher says. “When she was finished, Rabbi Bender got up and said, ‘I almost feel as if I met Harriet Tubman today!’”During the program, Asher, the first Black female cantor to be ordained in the United States, offered insights into her own experience as a Jew of color.“It’s amazing to be visible: I have people come up to me all the time to say they’ve never seen a Black or even a female cantor,” she says. “But Jews and Judaism have moved so far in terms of diversity, and I think it’s impactful for seniors to witness this evolution for themselves. The residents of Los Angeles Jewish Health were so warm and happy to see me, which was wonderful.”Also on hand for the event were William “Mickey” Stevenson and his wife, Michelle. Mickey, a legendary producer at Motown Records and one of the principal architects of the “Motown Sound,” talked about the outstanding partnership at the label between Black artists and its executives, some of whom were Jewish.Cantor Stein says the program was particularly resonant for many of the LAJH residents in the audience.“A lot of the seniors remember the ‘60s and were politically active, some of them playing important roles in advancing civil rights in their local communities,” he says. “In fact, my wife, Kelley, an LAJH resident, was actually at the “I Have a Dream” speech march! When Rabbi Bender talked about how Black and Jewish people are connected by traditions that encompass both being slaves and being free, you could see people nodding along. It’s a powerful link that gives us all common ground to stand up for what’s right.”Cantor Jenni Asher Deborah Sharpe-Taylor as Harriet TubmanWilliam “Mickey” Stevenson 

Los Angeles Jewish Health rehabilitation patient Thomas Flynn has led a life full of success and accomplishment. But his most recent achievement may well be his greatest yet: surviving and thriving nearly one year after a high-stakes heart transplant.Tom’s health had been on a steady downward trajectory as doctors tried everything possible to address his ventricular tachycardia, a heart rhythm disorder that disrupted the electrical signals necessary for smooth cardiac functioning. After years of treatment and despite utilizing the latest in state-of-the-art medical advances (including surgical ablations and the placement of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator), doctors told him he had reached the end of the road.“I was basically out of options except for a transplant, and at 73 I was older than usual for that kind of procedure,” Tom says. “But I knew I wouldn’t be able to survive long term without it—I had been in the hospital 266 out of 365 days that year, which gives you an indication of how dire my circumstances were.”But Tom was otherwise healthy, without any comorbidities, and his doctors at Cedars-Sinai put him on the transplant list. Their decision saved his life.“It was a long shot, but they took a chance on me. I was the oldest person at Cedars-Sinai to get a transplant last year, and through what feels like a series of miracles, here I am today having turned 74,” Tom says.Those miracles include his medical team at Cedars-Sinai, a donor heart that matched his profile (“I think of that person every single day”), and the rehabilitation care he is receiving at LAJH.“I’ve been in JEK [the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center] for the past six months, and when I first got here, I was hooked up to so many machines that I couldn’t even leave my room for three months,” Tom recalls. “But the team at LAJH is amazing, from the doctors to the senior nursing staff, all the way to the certified nursing assistants. Now, I’m up and walking around, doing things I never thought I’d have the chance to do again!”Thomas FlynnBesides receiving rigorous occupational and physical therapy, Tom is an active member of the resident community.“The therapeutic activities here are incredible. The staff does so much to make sure our neural networks are firing and cognitive synapses are working—hosting discussion groups and learning activities that have residents reaching deep. It’s so gratifying,” he says.The intellectual stimulation has been critically important to Tom, who spent his career in both government and industry working on big ideas to strengthen the fabric of American society.After graduating from Columbia University and Santa Clara University School of Law, he joined the administration of Governor Jerry Brown in Sacramento, where he worked to open California up to international investment and supported the development of Silicon Valley. From there, he pivoted to the private sector, helping bring the first generation of electricity-generating windmills to Palm Springs and facilitating the acquisition of agricultural technology from Israel. Tom’s multifaceted career also included stints as chief executive officer of one of the nation’s premier public opinion and social research firms—where he managed Times/CNN polling for the 1992 and 1996 presidential election cycles—and time as a government consultant collaborating on impactful studies for the Department of Defense and other agencies.He and his wife, Cari Beauchamp, a prominent writer and journalist, split their time between Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York, making their marks professionally while also raising their two sons, Jake and Teo. Cari passed away from cancer in 2023.At LAJH, in addition to recovering his physical stamina and sharpening his mental acuity, Tom has fostered new friendships with other JEK residents.“People are so smart and have such fascinating life stories. All of us are here because of medical infirmities, but we still have so much to offer in terms of our various skills and talents,” he says. “The entire LAJH community keeps me active and stimulated, and I’m so grateful every single day.” 

Each year, Chanukah invites us to look back at the courage of the Maccabees, a small band that fought not only for survival, but for the right to live openly and proudly as Jews. Their story reminds us that Jewish pride is not loud or boastful; it is steady, resilient, and deeply rooted in identity and purpose. In every generation, Chanukah lifts that message like a flame, and this year at Los Angeles Jewish Health, that flame of pride glowed especially bright.So many of our residents grew up in times and places where Jewish identity was something to be quiet about or carefully held inside. Not only in countries in a state of danger or upheaval, but even in American cities, in neighborhoods, clubs, parks, and workplaces, where subtle messages made it clear that being Jewish was something to soften or conceal. And yet, they persevered. They built families, communities, and lives of meaning, carrying their Judaism forward with quiet strength.Here, at LAJH, no one needs to tuck that part of themselves away. Being Jewish is safe. Indeed, here pride is not resisted; it is cherished. Our residents gather to celebrate, sing, study, light candles, and tell stories not only of the past, but of the journeys that brought them to this community. They are surrounded by peers, caregivers, and friends who honor their heritage and uplift who they are. The joy of Chanukah becomes not only a memory of courage but a living experience of belonging. The plethora of celebratory foods, entertainment, and spiritual celebration serves to enhance it all.And beyond our own story, Chanukah offers an ethical calling: just as we affirm the dignity of Jewish identity, we affirm the dignity of every person. The Chanukah lights teach that every individual should have the right to be themselves. Every human being should enjoy the freedom to live authentically, to feel proud of who they are, and to shine in the fullness of their own unique light. Images of Chanukah from across Los Angeles Jewish Health:

In his role as a staff member of the Activities Department at Los Angeles Jewish Health’s Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC) PACE program, Sergio Anleu has seen firsthand how the program helps its participants thrive. But it wasn’t until his own mother enrolled that he realized how truly transformative BCSC PACE could be.“In 2022, when my mom, Fabiola, was barely 60, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure,” Sergio says. “She worked as a nanny and was incredibly dedicated to her job, so even though she was having trouble breathing, she didn’t want to take time off to go to the hospital. Fortunately, a friend convinced her; the doctor said that if she had waited one more day, she would have collapsed and died.”For Fabiola, the diagnosis meant a radical lifestyle change. Even with the implantation of a defibrillation device, her heart would be too weak for her to continue working. She would have to retire immediately and dedicate her time and energy to keeping her body as strong as possible.“My entire world shifted overnight: On a Wednesday, I went to work; by Thursday, I learned I’d never be able to work again. I felt psychologically destroyed,” Fabiola recalls.Sergio and his two brothers were beside themselves with worry. Not only was their beloved mother facing an existential health crisis, but she would also require a level of daily support that the three siblings, who all worked full-time themselves, could not provide.“I had worked for LAJH for a number of years, but I was relatively new at BCSC PACE and wasn’t sure whether my mom would be eligible,” Sergio says. “When I found out she qualified, I was so relieved.”PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a health plan for those 55 and older who want to continue living at home, providing them with vibrant activity centers and dedicated care teams to help them stay healthy, active, and socially engaged.As Fabiola sees it, the care she receives has been nothing short of life-changing.Fabiola and Sergio Anleu“It’s hard to describe how amazing BCSC PACE is,” Fabiola says. “They give me meals and provide my medication, which gets sent directly to my house. They host activities like bingo, arts and crafts, Zumba and music therapy. They take me to the psychologist, where I receive counseling. They make sure I see my cardiologist every three-to-six months. We have outings to go shopping. If I’m not feeling well, they come pick me up so I can get to the doctor right away. And I’ve made friends! It’s all such a blessing.”BCSC PACE also gave Fabiola an emergency call device she can press if she falls when she is home alone, and the staff gets in touch immediately to make sure she is okay.“The support BCSC PACE offers is a game-changer; it gives my brothers and me a sense of security and peace of mind knowing Mom is so well-cared-for,” Sergio says.Three years into her participation in the program, Fabiola says she feels like a different person.“When I was diagnosed, I felt like the world had ended. But BCSC PACE has given me life again, lifting me out of my depression and surrounding me with such beautiful treatment and care,” she says. “I still have physical limitations, but now I have the desire to go on, to spend time with all the friends I’ve made here and enjoy all the things I can do.”Sergio has become accustomed to hearing these types of stories from other BCSC PACE participants and their families, but now they hit home in a different way.“My brothers and I consider ourselves so fortunate to be part of the BCSC PACE community,” he says. “My mom is the person who keeps us close, and without BCSC PACE helping her, I don’t know where our family would be. We are forever grateful.”Fabiola taking part in arts and craftsFabiola joined 11 other women who celebrated their Golden Quinceañera at BCSC PACESergio joins Fabiola for excercise class at BCSC PACE in ResedaHaving fun and making music at BCSC PACEThe Anleu family

Once again, Los Angeles Jewish Health received prestigious recognition from U.S. News & World Report, ranking as one of its “Best Nursing Homes of 2026.” Based on the publication’s analysis of almost 15,000 nursing homes nationwide, which evaluated data about staffing, quality of care, and health and safety inspections, LAJH earned accolades for multiple skilled nursing facilities.Both the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center and the Mark Taper Building were awarded the highest possible rating—“high performing”—in acknowledgment of the extraordinary service they provide.“This distinction affirms the core values that have guided us for more than a century,” says LAJH CEO and President Dale Surowitz. “We’re grateful that the compassionate, high-quality care our staff provides is being recognized nationally. It highlights our role not only as a leader in Los Angeles, but as an example of excellence and innovation in senior care across the country.”Ilana Springer, LAJH’s senior vice president of in-residence services, notes that the U.S. News ranking is a testament to LAJH’s passionate focus on its vital mission.“We are honored by this recognition, which reflects our emphasis on providing quality care and our consistent and intentional work to continue improving outcomes, while maintaining our caring environment,” she says.One of the challenges for any skilled nursing facility is staying abreast of the industry’s constantly changing standards and regulations—a challenge LAJH meets through collaborative partnerships among its dedicated staff.“Our team members, who are genuinely committed to serving our residents with compassion and respect, make achievements like this possible,” says Charlette Ofrecio, administrator of the Mark Taper Building. “We take pride in being trusted healthcare providers for those who need us most, and we continually strive to exceed the usual standards of care.”The Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical CenterThe Mark Taper Building