Caring for the Ages at Los Angeles Jewish Health

Connections to Care Mobile Hero
Home / News & Events / Newsletter

Caring for the Ages at Los Angeles Jewish Health

Feb 5, 2025

January 27th commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz—the most notorious of Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Every day, there are fewer living witnesses to the atrocities and tragedies of that era. Today, only approximately 245,000 Holocaust survivors  remain. Many of these cherished seniors are frail and have multiple medical needs requiring care from expert geriatric healthcare providers like the care teams at Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH).

At one time, there were 113 Holocaust survivors in residence at LAJH. Now in their 90s, 29 still call LAJH home, including a new 95-year-old resident and survivor who came to live at LAJH just last week. What they find here, thanks to the incredible professionalism of a highly-trained staff who wear compassion on their sleeves, is a special combination of nurturing, expertise and an ethos—developed by Chief Medical Officer Noah Marco, MD, the child of survivors—that prioritizes listening.

Sally and Ben Marco, Holocaust Survivors and Parents of Dr. Noah Marco

His approach has made Dr. Marco a trusted source of education on senior care and specifically  on caring for Holocaust survivors. Last month, he presented to 15 medical students from the University of California Los Angeles who came together to learn about the Holocaust and about the importance of providing services, in a caring and sensitive manner, to each member of the survivor community.

“There are many things to keep in mind when caring for Holocaust survivors. For instance, it’s important not to rush the patients, as well as to approach and touch them only after getting explicit permission,” Dr. Marco said during his presentation. “Best practices also include recognizing potential signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); asking the patients about common somatic symptoms; and realizing that sexual or abuse questions are unlikely to get a truthful response. Survivors’ history makes them unique, and as care providers, we need to adjust our approach accordingly.”

Participants in the class reported dramatically expanding their knowledge of the subject. “Despite attending a public school in Los Angeles, the second most Jewish city in the U.S., I learned about the Holocaust for a maximum of five minutes,” noted one student. “My time with Dr. Marco helped fill the void from those high school history classes; he spoke wonderfully, and I learned a lot.”

Whether he is imparting wisdom about caring for survivors or speaking more broadly about the many distinct facets of senior health, Dr. Marco enthusiastically shares strategies to help make medical visits more efficient and satisfying, both for the care provider and for the patient.

“Treating our patients at LAJH is not only about cataloging their symptoms, many of which are chronic and may not resolve. It’s also critical that we truly see them: learning what matters most to them, asking them what questions they may have, and eliciting their ideas and expectations,” Dr. Marco says.

Dr. Marco, who is often called upon to share his expertise in geriatric health, recently laid out his philosophy related to providing medical care to seniors in an essay he authored for the publication Caring for the Ages, the official newspaper of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed). He was recognized with a second-place award in the paper’s 2025 essay competition, “Caring for Residents, Caring for Ourselves.” The essay will appear in Caring for the Ages’ March/April 2025 issue, which will be distributed to a wide national audience of post-acute and long-term care professionals. His other recent publications include “The Lost Summer” an essay published in this week’s edition of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.

“My goal in treating seniors is always to move beyond just discussing their chronic issues so that we’re able to elicit their input about things that are important to them,” he says. “When they feel heard, they often feel better—one of the key indicators, for a care provider, of a job well done.”

Dr. Noah Marco, Chief Medical Officer at LAJH

Sign up for the Los Angeles Jewish Health newsletter, Connections.

Recent Articles

May 15

Los Angeles Jewish Health Awarded $28 Million from California Department of Health Care Services

Major Investment Will Dramatically Expand Inpatient Mental Health Services for Seniors in Need (LOS ANGELES, CA – May 15, 2025) — As one of California’s leading providers of coordinated senior health services, Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJHealth) is proud to announce it has been awarded $28 million by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) as part of Proposition 1’s Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready initiative. The funding, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom, is part of an historic $3.3 billion investment in behavioral health infrastructure, supporting 124 projects statewide.At LAJHealth, this funding will support the expansion of inpatient behavioral health services for seniors, a critical step in addressing California’s growing senior behavioral health crisis. This expansion comes at a time of intensifying need. California’s senior population is projected to double by 2040, and with it, the number of older adults experiencing behavioral health challenges—particularly those who are low-income, medically complex, or socially isolated—is rising sharply.“California is facing a senior behavioral health crisis,” said Dale Surowitz, President and CEO of Los Angeles Jewish Health. “This transformative investment allows us to act urgently and proactively by expanding access to high-quality, compassionate inpatient care for seniors in acute psychiatric distress. We are deeply grateful to Governor Newsom and DHCS for recognizing the urgency of this need and investing in a more sustainable, responsive future for our aging population.”Governor Newsom underscored the importance of Proposition 1 in his remarks announcing the awards:“Californians demanded swift action to address our state’s behavioral health crisis when they voted for Prop 1 in March 2024. Today, we’re delivering our biggest win yet. Whether it’s crisis stabilization, inpatient services, or long-term treatment, we’re ensuring that individuals can access the right care at the right time.”This funding is part of California’s broader strategy to modernize the behavioral health system—increasing transparency, expanding access, and building the infrastructure necessary to provide a full continuum of care for individuals living with mental illness and substance use disorders.Through Proposition 1 and BHCIP, the state aims to create more than 6,800 new residential treatment beds and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots, addressing urgent gaps in care across every region of California.
Read More
May 9

Los Angeles Jewish Health Chief Executive Officer and President, Dale Surowitz, Receives Humanitarian Award From Valley Economic Alliance

Dale Surowitz is honored for his commitment to improving San Fernando Valley life(RESEDA, CA – April X, 2025)  Los Angeles Jewish Health CEO and President Dale Surowitz was recognized with the Valley Economic Alliance’s Humanitarian Award at its 30th Anniversary Valley of the Stars Awards Gala on April 17th. The event, which took place at the Hilton Los Angeles in Universal City, celebrated Surowitz’s work on behalf of some of the most vulnerable members of the community.In the company of family, friends, Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) colleagues, and other Valley Economic Alliance honorees at the event, Surowitz acknowledged the role his LAJH coworkers have played in his success. “This Humanitarian Award is not just a personal award—it belongs to the entire LAJH family,” he said. “It reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff and volunteers, who bring our mission of compassionate care to life every day.”Surowitz joined LAJH in 2020, bringing over three decades of experience leading hospitals and healthcare organizations in the San Fernando Valley. His career has been driven by a focus on improving quality of life for a broad range of Valley residents.“I believe we have an ethical and social responsibility to take care of those who don’t have the ability to care for themselves,” he said. “At Los Angeles Jewish Health, we work together to uplift our community’s seniors and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.”Sonya Blake, the Valley Economic Alliance’s CEO and president, said Surowitz has had a profound impact on the San Fernando Valley.“We are proud to present the Humanitarian Award to Dale,” she said. “His unwavering commitment to leading an organization that provides exceptional care and support to our seniors is truly inspiring and strengthens the fabric of our community.”The Humanitarian Award adds to the long list of honors Surowitz has received throughout his career including the Fernando Award (the highest award for volunteerism and philanthropy in the San Fernando Valley), the Community Leadership Award from MAPS Charities and the Heart of Gold Award from the Child Development Institute. In addition, he is a member of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ Valley Advisory Board.Surowitz oversees the largest nonprofit, single-source provider of comprehensive senior healthcare in the greater Los Angeles area. From independent and assisted living to short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and a leading PACE adult day healthcare program, LAJH serves more than 4,000 seniors each year. 
Read More
May 9

A Ziesen Pesach (a Sweet Passover) at Los Angeles Jewish Health!

Passover is a time for celebration around the world as Jews mark the liberation of their ancestors from Egyptian slavery. This year, across the campuses of LAJH, residents joined together with visitors, family, and staff enjoying delicious food, inspirational music, and the ritual retelling of the biblical Exodus.On the Grancell Village campus, residents of the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer (JEK) Medical Center and the Mark Taper Building gathered for the campus’ annual seder, generously sponsored by philanthropist Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer. Led by LAJH Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender, the seder featured  musicians Cindy Paley and David Kaminer, as well as a surprise appearance by “Moses” carrying a baby sheep residents could pet and cuddle.“The reputation of our seder is that it’s special and spectacular, and we’re incredibly grateful to Ms. Eisenberg-Keefer for making it possible every year,” says Ilana Springer, JEK’s CEO and administrator. “It’s so joyful and is a fantastic community-building experience. This year, we hosted at least 200 people!”Additionally, members of JEK’s Drama Club put on a production of the Passover story; residents ran auditions, acted in, and produced the play, which was a huge hit with all in attendance.The Eisenberg Village campus played host to four seders, two for residents of the Newman Building and two more for residents of LAJH’s Fountainview community. On hand to officiate were Rabbi Bender and Rabbi Barry Lutz.“At each event, residents sat together at communal tables decorated with beautiful linens and flower arrangements, and everyone received their own seder plate,” says Annette Weinberg, campus lifestyle and enrichment director for Eisenberg Village. “The seders were truly lovely, and our residents were excited to participate!”Coinciding with the holiday, all Eisenberg Village residents were invited to attend a dynamic Israeli dance performance as well as a traditional Moroccan Jewish celebration of Mimouna (meaning “faith”), a time when families traditionally open their homes to guests and serve an assortment of sweets as they wish each other “success” for the coming year.It was a busy holiday at LAJH—and a wonderful way to usher in a gorgeous spring season! Large crowds atttended Grancell Village's celebration, which included music by Cindy Paley and a visit from "Moses" holding a gentle lamb. Donor (and former board member) Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer and board member Nicholas Thacker were also in attendance, demonstrating their continued support Fountainview residents and guests enjoyed two meaningful Seders led by Rabbi Barry Lutz and Chief Mission Officer, Rabbi Karen Bender, as well as a traditional Moroccan Jewish celebration The Newman Building's Passover Seder offered an interactive experience of the Exodus through readings, songs, and food along with a traditional Israeli dance performance These plates from the Goldenberg-Ziman Special Care Center event showcase the dining staff’s ability to thoughtfully create individualized Seder plates, ensuring the participation and enjoyment of all those at LAJH At the Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center, residents showcased a heartfelt Passover performance. They wrote and directed the play themselves, bringing the timeless story of Passover to life with creativity, spirit, and meaning Grancell Village residents took part in the traditional biur chametz, the symbolic burning of leaven, before the Passover Seder Our diligent dietary team, joined by Chief Mission Officer, Rabbi Karen Bender, and overseen by a representative of our Mashgiach, Yehudah Bukspan, engaged in the process of kashering the areas dedicated to culinary endeavors for Passover. This procedure is designed to ensure all aspects of the kitchen are kosher for Passover, employing a thorough cleansing regimen that utilizes boiling water on every surface and utensil, as well as eliminating all leaven such as yeast and baking powder. 
Read More