Stop Senior Scams Actors Perform at Eisenberg Village

Home / News & Events / Newsletter

Stop Senior Scams Actors Perform at Eisenberg Village

Sep 1, 2016

On Thursday, August 4th, seniors from the Home’s Eisenberg Village campus gathered in the Zuckerman Boardroom to watch an informative performance from the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program.

Before the show began, 88-year-old Eisenberg Village resident and longtime Stop Senior Scams actress, Laurel Shapiro, was asked to take the stage. The Jewish Home senior was honored for seven years of dedication to the education of her peers. Field Deputy Tim Glick presented Laurel with a certificate from the office of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and applauded her for her commitment.

Then, the group of talented performers acted, danced, and sang in a number of skits demonstrate the different ways scammers target seniors. A few of the common scams mentioned in the show were the grandchild, driver’s license, claim your prize, identity theft, online purchases, unpaid taxes, and obituary scams. At the end of each skit, actors shared important tips for avoiding scams like, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is; ignore unsolicited phone calls and emails that report to be the IRS; and memorize important numbers and leave confidential documents at home.

Using popular songs like the Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Getting to Know You from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical the “King and I,” Abba’s Money, Money, Money, and the Supremes’ Stop in the Name of Love the troupe brought theatricality, laughter, and excitement to a commonly frightening and frustrating topic.

“One of the reasons our show works so well is because of the way we present the information.” longtime Stop Senior Scams actress Beverly Wyles says. “Our show is a memorable way to equip vulnerable seniors with the knowledge they need to protect themselves.”

The Stop Senior Scams Acting Program was founded by LAUSD acting instructor Adrienne Omansky in 2008. The one-of-a-kind troupe is comprised of 27 senior actors ranging in age from 60 to 98-years. Several of the group’s members write the skits they perform from experience. Each member of the group has, at some point, been the target or victim of a senior scam.

Program founder and director Adrienne has dedicated much of her time to educating Southern California’s seniors. In 2013, Adrienne and the senior scam group worked closely with the Los Angeles City Council to have one Thursday each May recognized as Senior Fraud Awareness Day in the city of Los Angeles. Adrienne explains importance of senior scam awareness. “Our program is here to share a serious message— fraud is everywhere and stopping senior scams begins with all of us.”

The group’s oldest actor, 98-year-old Peggy Mollin loves acting. She spends much of her time travelling with the group, visiting Los Angeles churches, temples, libraries, senior centers, and nursing homes, spreading the word about senior scams. “Over the years, I’ve lost a lot of money to insincere people.” Peggy shares, “I wanted to make sure the same thing wouldn’t happen to seniors like me.”

Jewish Home resident Joy Bernstein says, “This is a wonderful cause. There are a lot of seniors who aren’t aware of the tricks scammers have up their sleeves. Seniors everywhere should be able to watch this show and learn what to watch for.”

Laurel says, “The song at the end of the show gives seniors some wonderful advice. You can avoid a lot of scams when you—” She continues, singing to the tune of the Orlons’ 1962 hit Don’t Hang Up— “JUST HANG UP!”

Prev Page Next Page

Share

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

First Name

Last Name

Email

Recent Articles

May 13

Los Angeles Jewish Health Earns Rare American Heart Association Certification for Excellence in Heart Failure Care

LAJH is among fewer than 1% of nursing facilities nationwide to earn this designation, and the first Jewish facility outside of NY or NJ LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) has received the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure Certification, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of nursing facilities nationwide recognized for excellence in evidence-based heart failure care. LAJH is one of the first Jewish facilities to receive this certification, and the first outside of New York or New Jersey.LAJH is the largest single-source senior care provider in Los Angeles. Across the organization, LAJH serves more than 4,000 seniors each year, including those in skilled nursing facilities who receive 24/7 specialized heart failure care.The certification provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against the American Heart Association’s rigorous requirements for heart failure care, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management, and quality improvement.“This prestigious recognition reflects the dedication of our healthcare team, who have provided exceptional care for more than 114 years since LAJH’s founding,” said Dale Surowitz, Chief Executive Officer and President of Los Angeles Jewish Health. “Amid the challenge of a growing number of seniors, we are committed to delivering comprehensive care for all, rooted in our Jewish values.”“Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care practices,” said Cory Woods, DNP, MHA, MSN, RN, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Quality Certification Business Management Committee and assistant chief clinical officer at Rockport Healthcare Services in Los Angeles. “When there are clear processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes.”Dr. Noah Marco, Chief Medical Officer of Los Angeles Jewish Health, added, “Patients with heart failure require specialized, closely coordinated support, and we are proud of the systems we’ve built to provide care that is both effective and compassionate. As our team helps seniors navigate a wide range of cardiac conditions, we continue to innovate and adopt best practices to strengthen patient outcomes. The AHA’s certification is a meaningful endorsement of our approach and our impact across Southern California.” ### Founded in 1912, Los Angeles Jewish Health (formerly Los Angeles Jewish Home) is the largest non-profit, single-source provider of comprehensive senior healthcare services in the Los Angeles area, serving nearly 4,000 people each year. At Los Angeles Jewish Health, 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; Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE; and geriatric and memory care. Los Angeles Jewish Health is also home to the Annenberg School of Nursing.

Los Angeles Jewish Health Showcases Classic Cars and Charitable Giving

This April, for the third consecutive year, Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH) hosted its annual car show—a chance for Angelenos to get an up-close look at classic and exotic cars while also learning more about the organization and its vital senior care mission. The event brought approximately 100 car owners and admirers to the Grancell Village campus in the San Fernando Valley.Aaron Levinson, LAJH’s vice president for planned giving, conceived the car show to capitalize on a growing trend in donor-driven philanthropy.“Donors are interested in creative ways to be philanthropic and to get great tax advantages, and over the years, the nonprofit sector has seen an increase in people giving gifts in the form of different kinds of assets: real estate, artwork, investments, and even automobiles,” Levinson says. “Hosting a car show helps introduce the idea of donating non-traditional assets to LAJH, and also gives potential donors an opportunity to see firsthand what makes LAJH so wonderful and worth supporting.”The event has grown over time: In its first year, 30 cars were entered; by this year, that number had nearly doubled. Levinson attributes the increase not only to effective publicity, but also to positive word of mouth.“It’s really a great day: People look at the cars, socialize, enjoy some refreshments, and get to tour LAJH,” he says. “There’s no program, no speeches, no admission fee—just people coming together to have a good time. Even some of our residents joined us to see what was happening!”Longtime LAJH donor and former board member Rick Katz served as chair of the event.“The car show is a lot of fun, especially for car enthusiasts,” Katz says. “I’ve always been a car guy; I think growing up in Southern California, where cars are part of the culture, sparked my interest. It’s great to be able to share that with people through LAJH, and as the event gets bigger and more successful, I’m hopeful it will translate to increased donations.”Levinson recently formed a car show committee to begin planning future events, and Katz says he intends to participate again next year.“I strongly support the work being done at LAJH,” he says. “The men and women who live there paid it forward for me to have a better Jewish life, and I believe it’s my responsibility to make their senior years as enjoyable as possible.”To learn more about the annual car show or to get involved, contact Aaron Levison at (818) 757-4416 or [email protected] HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE CAR SHOW

The Power of Passover at Los Angeles Jewish Health

In the Jewish tradition, Passover represents many things: the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egyptian slavery, the beginning of a long journey to self-determination and freedom in a promised land, and the rebirth and renewal that accompany the start of spring. At Los Angeles Jewish Health, Passover celebrates all of these themes—as well as LAJH’s establishment nearly 115 years ago.In 1912, five older adults experiencing homelessness men in Los Angeles needed a place to observe Seder. They found a welcome home and a willing host in Polish immigrant and Boyle Heights grocery store owner Simon Lewis. He invited them in to share the holiday, thus paving the way for what would soon become the Los Angeles Jewish Home.Lewis and the hard-working women who cooked and prepared for that Seder could never have imagined how their generosity would reverberate for generations of Angelenos. For more than a century, LAJH has served as a vital refuge for seniors, offering critical programs and services that set a national standard for exceptional, high-quality care. Today, the tradition continues, and LAJH reaches seniors throughout the San Fernando Valley, L.A.’s Westside, and beyond.At LAJH, Passover is an opportunity both to celebrate its legacy and to marvel at the institution’s daily impact on thousands of lives. Whether through skilled nursing care, memory care, adult day care, or independent living, LAJH plays a crucial role in strengthening the social fabric of Los Angeles—giving seniors the support they so greatly deserve.Passover is also an occasion for excitement, merriment, and delight at LAJH. Each year, the organization welcomes residents to experience the holiday with a range of hands-on activities including music- and food-filled Seders.“Passover comes alive at Los Angeles Jewish Health, awakening all five senses and inspiring the spirits of our residents,” says Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender. “Our goal is to stimulate memories of the past for each of our beloved residents, while also providing Seders that are extraordinarily interactive and memorable themselves.” As they eat their fill of matzah, sip grape juice, sing traditional melodies, and tell the story of the four children, residents gain strength from—and find meaning in—participating as part of a cohesive community.“When we come together to share happy occasions, all of our lives are enriched,” says Dale Surowitz, Los Angeles Jewish Health’s CEO and president. “It’s amazing to be at the Seder and see our residents sharing this special occasion. The sense of fulfillment and joy on their faces—it’s what LAJH is all about.”Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aged - Bungalow at 325 S Boyle AveMeal at Eisenberg Village Dining Room - Date UnknownPassover Seder at Grancell Village 2025