Non‐Profit Los Angeles Jewish Home Plans Rapid Expansion

Home / News & Events / News / Non‐Profit Los Angeles Jewish Home Plans Rapid Expansion

Non‐Profit Los Angeles Jewish Home Plans Rapid Expansion to Serve 10,000 Seniors Throughout Los Angeles County by 2025

Jul 6, 2020

Aging in Place in the Rapidly Changing Landscape of Elder Care/Living is Focus of One of the Nation’s Leading Senior Healthcare Systems

LOS ANGELES — July 6, 2020 — For Immediate Release — The Los Angeles Jewish Home, one of the nation’s largest, single‐source providers of comprehensive senior care, plans rapid expansion of services throughout Los Angeles County with a goal of serving 10,000 seniors by 2025. Los Angeles Jewish Health, which has previously offered services primarily in the San Fernando Valley, provides healthcare and living options; community‐based programs; in‐resident services; professional training; and research on frequently overlooked issues that affect senior healthcare and living.

Leading Los Angeles Jewish Health’s expansion will be newly appointed CEO and President Dale Surowitz, who has served as CEO of Providence Cedars‐Sinai Tarzana Medical Center since 1997. Dale brings broad‐based relationships and expertise in furthering partnerships with external healthcare providers.

Molly Forrest, who has led Los Angeles Jewish Health’s dynamic growth and direction as CEO and President for 24 years, will now focus on growing advocacy efforts, community advancement and fundraising as president of the Jewish Home Foundation.

Recognized internationally, Los Angeles Jewish Health has taken a guiding role in the rapidly evolving future of senior healthcare with innovative, broad‐based initiatives to promote aging in place and develop programs for individualized and person-centered senior healthcare/living. During the recent COVID‐19 crisis, the Home led the way with less than .025% of more than 1,200 seniors in residence having been diagnosed with the virus to date.

Founded in 1912 as a haven for five elderly Jewish men in need of shelter during Passover, the non‐profit Los Angeles Jewish Health has evolved into a comprehensive, non‐denominational, senior healthcare system. Today, Los Angeles Jewish Health—with a staff of over 1,600 and annual budget of $160 million—provides nearly 4,000 seniors annually with care in‐residence on five SoCal campuses or through a wide array of in‐home and community services. As a major provider, Los Angeles Jewish Health is a significant contributor to the L.A. economy.

Los Angeles Jewish Health, which has operated primarily through facilities and partnerships in the San Fernando Valley, will continue expansion to serve all of Los Angeles. Its expansion began in 2017 with the opening of its fifth campus, Fountainview at Gonda Healthy Aging Westside Campus in Playa Vista. Additional plans call for the 2021 expansion to the westside of Los Angeles with the opening of the Brandman Centers for Senior Care PACE Program, which will provide comprehensive healthcare services to seniors living in the community.

“With 108 years of experience in supporting seniors, it provides insights for a very different approach,” comments Forrest. “These moves will allow us to continue to bridge outside our walls and serve more and more seniors. Community outreach is where senior healthcare is going. We are looking at every opportunity to provide excellence of care at home, with a goal of people aging in place and avoiding, as much as possible, the need to move into a facility. It’s where we see ourselves as a major force. With 12 million baby boomers aging, these needs will continue to increase tremendously. We are positioning ourselves to address those demands in SoCal and as a progressive model for U.S. elder care.”

Says Surowitz, “I join Los Angeles Jewish Health with a background in hospital care and programs and the vision of expanding our institutional relationships throughout the Los Angeles community as we significantly grow our capabilities to serve more seniors. Remaining at home for as long as possible is a goal each of us wants for ourselves, our family and our friends. The Los Angeles Jewish Home is an innovator and cutting‐edge model for best practices. I am excited to lead this outstanding team and work to further the Home’s already stellar accomplishments as we address the rapidly changing landscape of senior healthcare and living. I look forward to working with Molly and the officers, board leadership, staff and volunteers.”

Adds Andrew Berman, chairman of the Los Angeles Jewish Health Board of Directors, “I am thrilled that we have been able to hire someone of Dale’s caliber with the depth of experience and knowledge he brings with him. Molly has been an amazing leader and visionary and I know will accomplish extraordinary things as president of the Jewish Home Foundation. Under the leadership of Dale Surowitz and with Molly in her new role, we can be assured that we will not only maintain but expand our standing as one of the leading and innovative senior health‐care providers in the country.”

About Dale Surowitz: As CEO of Providence Cedars‐Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, Surowitz led the respected hospital’s transition from an investor‐owned, for‐profit institution, to a not‐for‐profit, faith‐based facility. He piloted the launch of a $600 million campus replacement project to be completed in 2022. Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing a joint venture relationship with Cedars‐Sinai Medical Center for the Tarzana campus. Under Dale’s leadership, the medical center has received national recognition for overall quality and a variety of clinical services.

About Molly Forrest: Under Forrest’s exceptional leadership, Los Angeles Jewish Health underwent the most ambitious expansion in its history, becoming a nationally recognized leader and innovator in all aspects of senior health care and living. In July, Forrest became President of the California Chapter of Leading Age. She is a frequent guest speaker.

Full bios, headshots and other artwork available at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hwqp3ydv5d7dp9i/AAAlrVphTdn7LGWutXjT5YWDa?dl=0

Los Angeles Jewish Health programs and services include:

Connections to Care Program (C2C): Through C2C, seniors and their families gain timely referrals to services tailored to meet their specific needs, regardless of religion, ethnicity or ability to pay.
Home/Community Care: Each year, thousands of seniors benefit from Los Angeles Jewish Health’s community‐based services. Services include, hospice; home health; palliative medicine; community clinics; short‐term rehabilitation; acute psychiatric care, through its Brandman Centers for Senior Care, a Program of All‐inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE); Skirball Hospice; and Care Transitions program.
Senior Housing: As the largest, single‐source provider of senior housing in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Jewish Health is home to more than 1,200 women and men who live on four campuses covering 21 acres. Housing options include independent living, residential care, skilled nursing care, short‐term rehabilitation and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. Locations include the Reseda‐based Eisenberg Village; Grancell Village; Fountainview at Eisenberg Village; and Fountainview at Gonda Healthy Aging Westside Campus in Playa Vista.
Best Practices Research: Los Angeles Jewish Health’s Brandman Research Institute, under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director Dr. Noah Marco, focuses on research on effective models for post‐acute care which improve and enhance medical, social, psychiatric and psychological services for seniors. The institute was founded in March 2019 to fill the gap in clinical studies, which often exclude older people.
Annenberg School of Nursing: An intimate center of learning on Los Angeles Jewish Health’s Hirsch Family Campus, preparing vocational nursing students for the state licensing exam, the NCLEX‐PN®. The School also trains home health aides, medication technicians and nurse assistant students to earn certification through the California Department of Public Health.
Philanthropy: The home’s dedication to serving needy seniors is reflected in its annual commitment of philanthropic support to serve those dependent upon the state Medi‐Cal (welfare) program, with 75% of those served in‐residence rely upon the Medi‐Cal program and social security.

Prev Page Next Page

First Name

Last Name

Latest News

Nov 25

Los Angeles Jewish Health Announces Gideon Orion and Yossi Reinstein as New Co-Presidents of The Guardians

(RESEDA, CA – November 25, 2024) On September 1, 2024, Gideon Orion and Yossi Reinstein commenced their two-year term as Co-Presidents of The Guardians, a philanthropic volunteer group of Los Angeles Jewish Health in its 86th year supporting LAJH. The duo were unanimously confirmed by the board of directors earlier this year. The focus of the group is to raise funds to support the 4,000+ seniors cared for by the non-profit organization each year. Yossi and Gideon have a rich history with both The Guardians and LAJH. They had previously served The Guardians as Co-Chairs of the Young Men's Division, held various executive board positions, and have been integral in chairing some of the organization’s largest events, including the 2023 Guardians Comedy Night featuring Sarah Silverman and Jeff Ross (Yossi), and the 2024 Guardians Real Estate Dinner honoring Ben Leeds and Fred Leeds (Gideon).For Yossi, The Guardians and Los Angeles Jewish Health have long been part of his life, with his grandfather, Harry Berrin, having served as Guardians President in 1975. "The mission of The Guardians and Los Angeles Jewish Health is immensely near and dear to me," said Yossi, who after moving from Boston to Los Angeles was encouraged to join The Guardians by family friend and renowned philanthropist Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer. Gideon's Guardians story began over a decade ago, with former CEO-President of Los Angeles Jewish Health, Molly Forrest, inviting the new Guardian to also join the board of directors for LAJH’s Eisenberg Village and Grancell Village in-residence campuses. A nationally recognized healthcare real estate broker specializing in the sale of senior living and skilled nursing facilities, along with being elected as Co-President of The Guardians, Gideon continues to serve on the Board of Directors for Los Angeles Jewish Health and currently chairs the In-Residence Services subsidiary board.In commenting on the leadership appointments, President and CEO of Los Angeles Jewish Health, Dale Surowitz said, "We are delighted to have Gideon and Yossi take the helm, bringing their enthusiasm and fresh vision as they embark on leading the work of The Guardians over the next two years. This commitment continues to build upon the outstanding support they have already demonstrated to the seniors we care for each day at Los Angeles Jewish Health”. Yossi Reinstein and Gideon Orion ### About The Guardians: The Guardians of Los Angeles Jewish Health is a group of men and women committed to supporting the seniors cared for by Los Angeles Jewish Health. Since 1938, the mission of the Guardians has been to provide financial support for members of the community who are served by Los Angeles Jewish Health through residential and community-based programs. The Guardians Young Men’s and Young Women’s Divisions were founded to bring younger community members to support The Guardians and prepare future leaders. These groups hold activities geared to their interests as well as provide leadership and social opportunities for members in their ‘20s and ‘30s. For more information, visit LAGuardians.org. About Los Angeles Jewish Health:Founded in 1912, Los Angeles Jewish Health 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; PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly); hospice & palliative care; and geriatric health and memory care. Los Angeles Jewish Health is also home to the Annenberg School of Nursing. About Gideon Orion: Gideon Orion is a Managing Director and California broker of record for Walker & Dunlop. With a focus on the sale of senior living and skilled nursing assets, over his 17-year real estate career, Gideon has closed transactions valued at over $4.0 billion on behalf of his clients, including 10 transactions valued at over $100M. A trusted advisor to his clients for his market expertise and relationships within the industry, Gideon provides a strategic role relating to the disposition of real estate portfolios, as well as single-asset sales and PropCo/OpCo joint venture transactions. Clients include traded and non-traded REITs, real estate private equity firms, national and regional senior housing operators, high-net-worth investors, family offices, and non-profit corporations. Gideon earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from California State University, Northridge, and is a former California Champion Speaker for Toastmasters International. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Los Angeles Jewish Health, and chairs the In-Residence Services Board for LAJH. About Yossi Reinstein: Yossi Reinstein is an accomplished real estate developer and the Principal of Maker Kitchens Group, a forward-thinking development firm specializing in the acquisition and repurposing of distressed industrial and retail assets into vibrant multi-tenant Commercial Kitchen Centers. His innovative approach to real estate not only revitalizes neighborhoods but also supports local food entrepreneurs.As a guest lecturer at UCLA Anderson School of Management's Ziman Center for Real Estate, Yossi shares his insights and expertise with the next generation of leaders in the industry. His dedication to community service is evident through his active involvement in various philanthropic initiatives. He co-chaired The Guardians' Young Men's Division from 2015 to 2017 and played a key role in rebranding The Jewish Home for the Aging to LA Jewish Health. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Vice President of Public Relations for The Guardians, where he furthered their mission of support and advocacy.In 2019, Yossi helped the Pico Union Project rebuild their Commercial Kitchen Commissary, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing local food infrastructure. He also contributed to the strategic planning committee for Habonim Dror and Camp Gilboa, assisting the organization in navigating cash flow opportunities related to valuable real estate assets they needed to reposition. An alumnus of the Community Leadership Institute of the Jewish Federation, Yossi completed a two-year program focused on effectively aiding individuals in need across Greater Los Angeles. His commitment to community engagement extends to international outreach, having spent ten days in Israel in late 2022 meeting with local leaders to explore avenues for support.Yossi has also served on the Brawerman Fellowship Selection Committee for 2022 and 2023, where he evaluated hundreds of applications and helped allocate grants to deserving Jewish high school students in need.He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Hannah, and their three children: Walter, Billie and Jane. Yossi’s passion for real estate development, community service, and education reflects his dedication to making a meaningful impact both locally and beyond.

Nov 6

Confirmation and Inspiration at Los Angeles Jewish Health

The holiday of Sukkot—a Hebrew word meaning “booths” or “huts”—follows closely after Yom Kippur and is a joyous celebration of the autumn harvest. This year at Los Angeles Jewish Health, the holiday also marked another very special and happy occasion: the adult confirmation of three residents in their 80s and 90s who displayed their mastery of Jewish scholarship and prayer in front of a rapt audience of family and friends.Confirmation is a way for Jewish students of post-bar or bat mitzvah age to continue engaging with their tradition and confirm their commitment to Jewish life. Inside a gorgeous sukkah erected in the main courtyard of LAJH’s Grancell Village campus, the assembled guests listened to the women—Etta Spiegel, 96; Barbara Fallick, 82; and Linda Zweig, 81—all of whom had previously had adult bat mitzvahs, chant from the Torah and offer astute insights into Jewish history, ritual, and culture. The ceremony was held as a highlight of LAJH’s Friday afternoon Shabbat service, led by Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender.“These women wanted to deepen their Jewish knowledge, and they studied with me for about a year in preparation for this day, ultimately becoming experts in an area of specific interest to them,” Rabbi Bender shared during the moving ceremony. “Their passion and determination are incredible to behold, and I am beyond excited for them to share what they’ve learned with you today.”Etta focused on the Passover story, making connections between the Pharoah of ancient Egypt and modern-day tyrants. Linda spoke about Midrash, a genre of Jewish commentary, and discussed the ways in which, when it comes to biblical interpretation, women (whose perspectives were once marginalized) are now empowered to be part of the conversation. Barbara delved into family dynamics in the Book of Genesis, with particular emphasis on the life of Jacob.At the conclusion of the service, Ilana Springer, CEO/administrator of the Joyce Eisenberg- Keefer Medical Center, presented each of the confirmands with a framed photograph of them with the Torah and complimented their dedication and drive. “Through their words and actions, these women demonstrate their faith, courage, and hope for the future of the Jewish people,” Springer said.LA Jewish Health Board Chair Judy Friedman-Rudzki gifted each of the women a sculpture, bearing their names and depicting a woman holding the Torah. “Your example shows us that there’s no limit to what we as women can accomplish!” she said.Also on hand was Dale Surowitz, LAJH’s president and chief executive officer, who congratulated the three residents on their tremendous effort and handed them each a certificate of adult confirmation to mark the occasion.“Thank you for showing all of us that age is only a number,” he said. “What you accomplished here makes clear that we can do anything if we put in the hard work and follow our hearts.”As she ended the service, Rabbi Bender offered Etta, Barbara, and Linda a special blessing and some heartfelt words of praise. “I have so much gratitude and respect for each of you,” she said. “You’ve truly inspired us all.”

Nov 6

A Sweet Start to a New Year at Los Angeles Jewish Health

Every year, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur—the holiest days on the Jewish calendar—present Los Angeles Jewish Health residents with multiple opportunities for both celebration and reflection. This year’s holiday events were as wonderful as ever, marked by beautiful music, meaningful prayer, and cherished traditions.Led by Chief Mission Officer Rabbi Karen Bender, as well as Rabbi Ron Goldberg, the spiritual leader for the Eisenberg Village campus, LA Jewish Health’s holiday observances offered something for everyone of the Jewish faith. There were multiple religious services held across both residential campuses. In the main courtyard at Grancell Village, Rabbi Bender—assisted by her son, Holden—was joined by cantorial soloist Benzy Kogen. Services at the Goldenberg Ziman Special Care Center, officiated by Rabbi Ron, included cantorial soloist Joel Stern. At Fountainview at Eisenberg Village, Rabbi Bender and cantorial soloist Aria Gittelson led residents in the holiday liturgy.The Fountainview service had some particularly special and unexpected moments. Professional musician David Clymer, the grandson of resident Audrey Stein, was on hand to blow the shofar. He filled the room with gorgeous, powerful shofar blasts, uplifting the assembled residents. Unfortunately, Audrey was not among those gathered; she was under the weather and resting in her room. Determined to ensure his grandmother was able to hear the shofar during this season of High Holy Days, David, accompanied Rabbi Bender and Aria Gittelson, stood outside Audrey’s room and serenaded her while she stepped outside in the fresh air and lovingly listened from her balcony above.David Clymer, grandson of resident Audrey Stein blows the shofar as she looks on from the balcony“David was a trumpet player from the time he was little; I think that’s why he’s such a good shofar player,” says Audrey, who was delighted by her private concert. “Hearing him together with Rabbi Bender and Aria was so touching; I was crying the whole time.”For his part, David—a freelance musician who performs throughout West Los Angeles in addition to arranging and composing music—felt honored to perform for his grandmother and to participate in High Holy Day celebrations at LA Jewish Health.“My grandmother is such an amazing person. The amount of love she has for people and for travel has meant a lot for me in my life and has taught me to be a good person. It was a joy connecting with her at LA Jewish Health in this way,” he said.Another signature feature of the High Holy Days at LA Jewish Health this year: eating apples and honey to symbolize hopes for a sweet year ahead. Gathered around holiday tables, residents were able to dip apple slices in several different varieties of honey as they visited with peers and engaged in Jewish learning.Thanks to the ingenuity of Rabbi Bender, residents were also able to participate in the tradition of tashlich (“casting off”). Typically taking place on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, the tradition is one in which people symbolically cast away their sins by tossing bread crumbs into a flowing body of water. While LA Jewish Health residents could not all travel to the Pacific Ocean to perform the ceremony themselves, they carried out a modified exercise utilizing the crumbs and bowls of water. Then, Rabbi Bender collected bread crumbs from them and drove to the beach herself, casting the crumbs into the water on their behalf, in the last afternoon sun.“At LA Jewish Health, every resident matters, and we will stop at nothing to bring them the joy of the holidays and the joys of life,” Rabbi Bender says.