Los Angeles Jewish Home Honors 39 Centenarians at Birthday Celebration on National Centenarians Day
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Los Angeles Jewish Home Honors 39 Centenarians at Birthday Celebration on National Centenarians Day

Sep 26, 2016

Reseda, CA – September 26, 2016—The Los Angeles Jewish Home hosted a special celebration to recognize its 39 residents who turned 100 years of age or more this year in observance of National Centenarians Day. The residents, their families and friends, along with special guests, were treated to a celebratory lunch, a gorgeous birthday cake, music and other festivities. (View the event on Facebook here.)

Following a blessing by Rabbi Karen Bender, Molly Forrest, Los Angeles Jewish Home CEO-President, welcomed everyone. A video featuring all of the centenarians along with their tips for a long life came next and was a huge hit with the crowd. Centenarian representation Myrtle Feenberg, age 100, spoke humorously about her life and said how she was looking forward to 101 and 102. “I decided there had to be a reason why I made it to 100, and then it dawned on me: It has to be attitude and forgiveness,” Feenberg said.

“The party atmosphere among our centenarians was palpable,” said Forrest. “They were so excited to have their friends and family celebrate their longevity with them. Interestingly, five percent of our residents are 100 or older.” She added that the number of centenarians in the U.S. has risen a hefty 44 percent from 2000.

Bill and Judy Dragin recently had their 50th wedding anniversary and were celebrating with both their mothers - Marian Stearn is 105 and Fae Dragin is 103. “Not very many guys who have a mother-in-law who will live to be 106,” Bill Dragin said smiling.

National Centenarian’s Day is observed annually on September 22 to honor those who are 100 years of age or older. The day is suggested as a time to listen to centenarians as they have rich history and wisdom to share.

About Jewish Home

Founded in 1912, the non-profit Los Angeles Jewish Home is among the largest providers of senior healthcare services in Los Angeles. Through its innovative Connections to Care program, more than 6,000 seniors benefit from the Home’s community-based and in-residence programs. Community-based programs include the Brandman Centers for Senior Care (BCSC), a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Jewish Home Care Services, Skirball Hospice, Jewish Home Center for Palliative Medicine, the Ida Kayne Transitional Care Unit, the Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit and community clinics. Two village campuses in Reseda serve seniors with independent living accommodations, residential care, skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitative care, and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The Home is building the Gonda Healthy Aging Westside Campus in Playa Vista, CA which is scheduled to open at the end of 2016. Further information regarding the Jewish Home can be found online at www.lajh.org or by calling (818) 757-4407.

Media Contact: Tellem Grody Public Relations, Inc. Susan Tellem susan@tellemgrodypr.com (o) 310-313-3444 x1; (m) 310-613-3504

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