Chanukah at Los Angeles Jewish Health Shined Brighter Than Ever This Year

Home / News & Events / Newsletter

Chanukah at Los Angeles Jewish Health Shined Brighter Than Ever This Year

Jan 3, 2024

By Rabbi Karen Bender, Chief Mission Officer at Los Angeles Jewish Health

When I arrived at Los Angeles Jewish Health almost a decade ago and Chanukah was soon approaching, I set out to purchase the largest Chanukah menorah that I could find. I decided this holiday should feel like an extravaganza. There would be joy, surprise, celebration, laughter, and of course, the spectacular and inspiring lights of the largest Chanukah menorah around. Our residents deserved the best.

This year, with the struggles of our brethren in Israel, and even rising antisemitism here in the United States, would we do anything differently? Yes, we would rejoice with even more depth and joy and enthusiasm. After all, like Israel’s courageous soldiers who are fighting on the front lines of the Jewish People today, the Maccabees fought for our right to practice and celebrate Judaism. We honor the courage of both by being brave enough to rejoice. Indeed, our residents deserve it.

The first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion, once said, “In Israel in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles.” As our brothers and sisters in Israel still struggle to bring the light, we brought the miracle of joy and hope to our residents this past Chanukah like never before. After all, the primary theme of Chanukah is the unwavering faith in miracles, as the second blessing of the holiday says, “she-asah nisim l’avoteinu” thanking G-d for the miracles made for our ancestors at this season in those days.

Here at Los Angeles Jewish Health, we of course provide tradition with the intent of stimulating wonderful memories. It is our fervent belief, as well, that extraordinary memories can and are made here. Perhaps the most exciting Chanukah of a person’s life has not yet happened but will happen soon and will happen here.

This year our residents enjoyed a concert with a prominent and highly esteemed local musician, Cindy Paley and a Klezmer group performed traditional folk music. There was traditional singing throughout the holiday. In addition, groups of children from various organizations came to enhance the holiday for all of our residents. The residents also participated in an olive oil and balsamic tasting while learning about Chanukah on a serious adult level. They received new colorful dreidels and chocolate gelt coins. They enjoyed not only potato latkas but also latkas of various vegetable influences, thanks to our creative dietary department leadership. They enjoyed Chanukah cookies and not only regular sufganiyot but also kosher Krispy Kreme jelly donuts. They lit lights and sang blessings as a large community, grateful, each of them, to not be alone these eight nights but on the contrary, to be surrounded by a loving community of peers and caring staff.

They laughed in delight when I showed up dressed as a dreidel one day, as a menorah another, wearing a head to toe Chanukah outfit the next and Chanukah glasses another.

Rabbi Ron Goldberg at the Eisenberg Village Campus describes how the eyes of the residents in our memory care unit lit up as they remembered the words of songs and sang along. He describes gathering everyone around the beautiful outdoor chanukiah, the Chanukah menorah, where together they could safely light real fire, like our ancestors.

Our ancestral rabbis were well aware that Chanukah takes place near the winter solstice during the darkest days of the year and they set out to pierce the darkness and illuminate their world. The metaphor was not lost on them nor is it on us, especially this year, that we can all be a light in the darkness. Nothing brings more light than the smiles on the faces of the precious seniors we serve.

Ben Gurion had another famous saying: “Anyone who believes you can’t change history has never tried to write his memoirs.” For all of you out there who choose to support the sacred work of Los Angeles Jewish Health with your time and resources, please know that you are changing history by enhancing the history and lives of our remarkable residents, participants and patients. Know that if you were to ever write a memoir about your own life you can proudly include the indisputable fact that you have generously enhanced the lives of the elderly in your generation.

For more pictures of Chanukah 2023 at Los Angeles Jewish Health CLICK HERE

Chanukah at Fountainview at Eisenberg Village

Chanukah at Fountainview at Gonda Westside

For more pictures of Chanukah 2023 at Los Angeles Jewish Health CLICK HERE

Prev Page Next Page

Share

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

First Name

Last Name

Email

Recent Articles

Oct 30

AltaMed Health Services Teams up with Los Angeles Jewish Health and Annenberg School of Nursing in Helping to Train Tomorrow's Nursing Workforce

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30, 2025 -- AltaMed Health Services, in a partnership with Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) and the Annenberg School of Nursing, recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the creation of the AltaMed Health Services School of Nursing. The school is located at AltaMed's East Los Angeles Campus. The program is designed to help meet the ongoing staffing needs for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).AltaMed Health Services, in a partnership with Los Angeles Jewish Health and the Annenberg School of Nursing, recently launched the AltaMed Health Services School of Nursing. The program is designed to help meet the ongoing staffing needs for Licensed Vocational Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants.A nursing class of the Annenberg School of Nursing on AltaMed's East LA Campus"From the very beginning, our vision has been to build a nursing workforce from within, one that reflects the communities we serve and carries forward the AltaMed mission," said AltaMed President and CEO Cástulo de la Rocha. "Over the years, we have worked towards this vision. We aim to address the shortage of bilingual, culturally responsive nurses, and today with our partners from Los Angeles Jewish Health and the Annenberg School of Nursing, that dream has become a reality."The school's new location opened last month with plans to graduate more than 24 nurses during its first year. Serving more than 700,000 people across 60 sites in Los Angeles and Orange counties, AltaMed continues to expand access to high quality health services in the Southern California region."We are delighted to be bringing our state-of-the art nursing school to the team at AltaMed and look forward to expanding the program offerings as their needs evolve," said Dale Surowitz, President and CEO of Los Angeles Jewish Health. "Perhaps most important, this program helps to create a culture where nurses in training learn to better understand the backgrounds, language, and lived experiences of their patients and the critical role that should play in the care experience."With more than 5,700 employees, AltaMed is one of the region's largest employers, providing services to approximately 8% of the Los Angeles population. AltaMed provides comprehensive primary care, pediatrics, dental services, HIV/AIDS care, senior care, behavioral health services, pharmacy services, health education, and more."For more than five decades, AltaMed has remained steadfast in its mission to provide access to high quality health services, regardless of the ability to pay," said de la Rocha. "Our new school of nursing underscores AltaMed's commitment to improve health outcomes in the communities we serve."About Los Angeles Jewish Health: Founded in 1912, non-profit Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJHealth) is the largest single-source provider of comprehensive senior healthcare services in the Los Angeles area, serving nearly 4,000 people each year. Thousands of seniors benefit from community-based and in-residence care and services. Programs include: Independent Living; Assisted Living; Senior Behavioral Health; Short-Term Rehabilitation; Skilled Nursing; PACE; Hospice & Palliative Care; Geriatric Health; Memory Care. In addition, LAJHealth is home to the Annenberg School of Nursing.About AltaMed Health Services:AltaMed understands that when people receive care that considers their individual health needs and respects their cultural preferences; they grow healthy—and help their families do the same. Since 1969, we have delivered complete medical services to communities across Southern California. Our team of qualified multicultural and bilingual professionals—from these same communities— is focused on eliminating barriers to primary care services, senior care programs, and essential community services. With more than 60 accredited health centers and service facilities, we remain committed and ready to help you grow healthy at any age.

Furry Friends Bring Warmth and Love to Los Angeles Jewish Health

Providing residents with robust opportunities for enrichment is a hallmark of life at Los Angeles Jewish Health. From music appreciation to bingo to arts and crafts and beyond, our activities empower seniors to find joy in community and to make the most of every day. Among the most popular pastimes at LAJH is participating in our Pet Therapy Program—a chance for residents to love, hug, and play with the dogs that regularly visit both our Grancell Village and Eisenberg Village campuses. Generously sponsored by the Steven Ohren Foundation, the Pet Therapy Program is the largest of its kind in Los Angeles. Each week, trained dog handlers and their highly-trained therapy dogs stroll the halls of LAJH buildings, offering residents a chance to receive canine cuddles as they reminisce about their own cherished former pets and animal experiences. It is, notes LAJH’s Director of Volunteer Services Stacy Orbach, a program that delights residents and has important therapeutic benefits, as well. “There’s data out there about the positive health impact of programs like ours, including lowering blood pressure and anxiety,” Stacy says. “In addition, seeing the therapy dogs reminds residents about beloved pets from their childhood—activating their memories and getting them telling stories, which is hugely beneficial, especially for people experiencing memory loss.” Steven Zonis, a certified therapy dog handler, has been volunteering weekly at LAJH for years. He and his dogs, standard poodles Rudy and Ella, work together to engage residents and fill their days with joy. “The residents brighten up and smile when Rudy and Ella walk into a room. What they’re responding to is how genuine the dogs are; they just love to give love and get love with no ulterior motives or underlying agendas,” he says. “It’s wonderful to watch.” Rudy and Ella are pros at their work: Both have certifications through the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Los Angeles Police Department, and Rudy is the winner of AKC’s 15 th annual Award for Canine Excellence and a semi-finalist for the American Humane Society’s 2025 Hero Dog Award. They are celebrated members of LAJH’s pet therapy team. With stars like Rudy, Ella, and many others, LAJH’s Pet Therapy Program has a dedicated fan base of residents who look forward to the visits and even prepare for them. One resident has a special bond with a therapy dog named Andrew; she has graham crackers waiting for him when he arrives every Wednesday. On the days she is not there, Andrew goes into her room and waits for her to return. This year, for the fourth year running, LAJH will produce a pet therapy calendar featuring all the dogs from the program. Also made possible by the Steven Ohren Foundation, the calendar is a highly anticipated publication that adorns many residents’ walls and staff work stations.“We’re grateful to the Steven Ohren Foundation for its support, which this year is enabling us to provide copies of the calendar not just to residents and staff, but also to any interested member of the community,” says Corey Slavin, senior vice president of the Los Angeles Jewish Health Foundation. “By sustaining our Pet Therapy Program, as well as our intergenerational music programming, the Steven Ohren Foundation brings meaning, liveliness, and fun to our residents on a daily basis, and we’re thrilled to have their ongoing partnership.” Included in the calendar are photos of the therapy dogs visiting LAJH residents and selected quotes from residents expressing gratitude for their canine friends. “They make us feel alive and useful,” one resident quote says. “They make a lot of people happy and are such a blessing. I can’t get enough of the therapy dogs.” We hope you are as inspired by the Ohren Foundation’s support as we are! If you are interested in receiving a calendar or are interested in supporting LAJH, please email Corey Slavin at [email protected].

Los Angeles Jewish Health Celebrates Largest Bar and Bat Mitzvah of Skilled Nursing Residents in Its History

A bar or bat mitzvah is a Jewish rite of passage—a coming-of-age ceremony that welcomes young Jews into adulthood and signifies their commitment to taking on new responsibilities. Last month, a joyous and meaningful group adult b’nai mitzvah at Los Angeles Jewish Health marked a different kind of passage, celebrating the wisdom, tenacity, and resilience of 10 seniors as they embrace opportunities for learning and growth in older age. Held at LAJH’s Grancell Village campus, the b’nai mitzvah event, the largest bar and bat mitzvah of skilled nursing residents in LAJH’s history, drew a capacity crowd of several hundred people—friends, relatives, loved ones, and staff who came to support the seniors as they chanted in Hebrew and reflected on their Jewish roots. The residents, who ranged in age from 76-98, were Lois Schindel, Selma Schwartz, Cherie Goodman, Harriet Golden, David Lander, Phyllis Gottlieb, Robert Orgen, Richard Zelle, Jack Schlaifer, and Ilene Cohen. In addition to reading from the Torah, the b’nai mitzvah spoke about their Jewish journeys and about the meaning of their lives over the decades. “I was born into a family that had very conservative Jewish ideas, and girls could not be bat mitzvahed,” Cherie said. “I am proud of who I am and glad today I could enjoy that experience.” Phyllis concurred. “My grandfather was a rabbi in Russia, and my father was quite religious, too,” she said. “Judaism has always been central to my upbringing and family identity. My children were bar and bat mitzvahed, and I thought, ‘Why shouldn’t I do it, too?’ They’re all proud of me, and being a bat mitzvah feels very special.” For Robert, having a bar mitzvah required overcoming significant obstacles. “Judaism means the world to me, but after my stroke, nobody had the time or patience to try to teach me Hebrew until I met with LAJH Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Bender,” he said. “I’ve wanted this more and more every day, and it has fulfilled my dream.” The residents studied with Rabbi Bender for a full year to prepare for the bar and bat mitzvah ceremony. Under her tutelage, they learned to read sacred text, lead prayers, and gain a deeper understanding regarding the significance of the day. “For most of these residents, this was their first time being called to the Torah,” Rabbi Bender said. “At LAJH, not only do we cultivate physical health, we also inspire residents to pursue their dreams and lives filled with purpose and meaning.” Once the residents had read from the Torah and completed their remarks, Ilana Springer, LAJH’s senior vice president of in-residence services, commended them on their extraordinary achievement. “Thank you for inspiring us, and for showing us that there are goals and dreams we all can reach for in our own lives,” she said. “Mazel tov, and we wish you luck in fulfilling your next dream!” Also on hand at the event was LAJH Board Chair Judy Friedman-Rudzki, who presented the new bar and bat mitzvahs with an engraved kiddush cup. The residents received photographs of themselves and a special certificate to commemorate the day, as well. Following the ceremony, residents and guests were treated to a festive reception. But before they broke bread, LAJH CEO and President Dale Surowitz expressed his admiration of the bar and bat mitzvahs’ strength and positivity. “What you have accomplished is absolutely amazing and demonstrates to all of us that age is only a number,” he said. “You are an inspiration to all of us.”