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With a new name and continued focus on meeting diverse senior needs, Los Angeles Jewish Health meets seniors where they are in life, providing a customized senior experience. (RESEDA, CA – July 5, 2022) As it continues to build on more than a century of providing an array of high-quality residential living options and care for Southern California seniors, the Los Angeles Jewish Home is unveiling a new name: Los Angeles Jewish Health. The updated identity reflects Los Angeles Jewish Health’s commitment to offering area seniors a full complement of exceptional programs and services and a comprehensive continuum of care, whether that care is at home, in the community, or on one of their beautiful campus settings. “Over the years, as the needs of our community members have expanded and changed, we have evolved, too, expanding the scope of healthcare services we provide. It is now the right time to transition to a name more reflective of the vast array of senior care services and living options available through Los Angeles Jewish Health, while still remaining true to our mission and Jewish values,” said Dale Surowitz, CEO-president of Los Angeles Jewish Health. Los Angeles Jewish Health is a national leader in senior health and wellness. Established in 1912 in East Los Angeles to assist Jewish men seeking shelter, today Los Angeles Jewish Health cares for a diverse group of thousands of seniors each year through independent housing, adult day care, skilled nursing facilities, short-term rehabilitation, hospice services, and more. What began as a modest residential facility at the turn of the previous century has grown into a leading senior health system, providing for a rapidly growing elder population with a broad range of geriatric and specialty healthcare needs. By 2030, one in five Americans are projected to be older individuals. Seniors 85 and older are the fastest growing segment of this population and are expected to increase fivefold over the next 30 years, from four million in 2000 to 21 million in 2050.“Shifting demographics demand that we sharpen our focus to ensure we are an available senior care resource for every member of our community,” Surowitz said. “As we have for more than 100 years, we look forward to contributing Los Angeles Jewish Health’s extensive experience and medical expertise toward better health outcomes for all seniors.” About Los Angeles Jewish Health: Founded in 1912, and formerly known as the Los Angeles Jewish Home, the non-profit Los Angeles Jewish Health 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 the Los Angeles Jewish Health’s community-based and in-residence care and services. Programs include: PACE (A Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly); hospice; palliative medicine; community clinics; short-term rehabilitation; and acute psychiatric care. Four campuses (Eisenberg Village, Grancell Village, Fountainview at Eisenberg Village, and Fountainview at Gonda Westside) serve seniors with options for independent living, residential care, skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and Alzheimer’s disease and memory care. In addition, Los Angeles Jewish Health is home to the Annenberg School of Nursing.

Older adults and their families across Los Angeles turn to Los Angeles Jewish Health for compassionate, quality care. We provide critical programs and services that nurture their wellness and offer safe and attractive housing options – and they vote with their hearts, turning to us in increasing numbers to meet the full range of their living needs. This summer, Angelenos have been voting for Los Angeles Jewish Health in several ways: In August, the Los Angeles Daily News will publish its popular Readers’ Choice awards, and Los Angeles Jewish Health will receive two important distinctions. The paper will recognize Los Angeles Jewish Health's Fountainview at Eisenberg Village as “Best Retirement Community” and the Annenberg School of Nursing as “Favorite Nursing School.” “The accolades are recognition of the organization’s longstanding reputation for excellence,” says Los Angeles Jewish Health CEO and President Dale Surowitz. “Los Angeles Jewish Health has been making a positive difference in our community for generations, whether it’s through our residential living, comprehensive care, or community programs,” he says. “We’re so grateful for these honors, which reflect the commitment of our incredible staff to raising the standard of care for older adults nationwide.” Fountainview at Eisenberg Village, located in Reseda, along with Fountainview at Gonda Westside, nestled in Playa Vista, continue to redefine possibilities in independent living. As full-service Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), our Fountainview properties enable older adults to age in place knowing Los Angeles Jewish Health is available to meet all of their future healthcare needs. The award for the Annenberg School of Nursing comes on the heels of another significant milestone: Last summer, practicalnursing.com ranked the school among the top three nursing schools in California. An aging population and the COVID-19 pandemic have sent demand for expert nursing care through the roof, and the Annenberg School of Nursing has proudly worked to meet this demand as they continue to graduate some of the state’s most talented nurses poised to improve health outcomes and transform patients’ lives. Photo taken prior to COVID “It’s always nice to be recognized for hard work and high achievement,” Dale says. “The bottom line is that at Los Angeles Jewish Health, we love what we do, and it shows.”

As it continues to build on more than a century of providing an array of high-quality residential living options and care for older adults in Southern California, the Los Angeles Jewish Home is unveiling a new name: Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH). The updated identity reflects our commitment to offering area older adults a full complement of exceptional programs and services and a comprehensive continuum of care – whether that care is at home, in the community, or on one of our beautiful campus settings. With a new name and a continued focus on meeting diverse needs, Los Angeles Jewish Health meets older adults where they are in life, providing a customized experience. “Over the years, as the needs of our community members have grown and changed, we have evolved, too, expanding the scope of healthcare services we provide. It is now the right time to transition to a name more reflective of the vast array of older adult care services and living options available through Los Angeles Jewish Health, while still remaining true to our mission and Jewish values,” says Dale Surowitz, CEO and President of Los Angeles Jewish Health. The values piece is at the core of Los Angeles Jewish Health’s distinguished history of service, Dale notes, and nothing about that is changing. “We are committed to our roots, and we’re the same organization we’ve always been, with rabbis on staff to help celebrate Jewish holidays, share Jewish teachings, and care for all those we serve with the same quality of care, respect, kindness, and compassion that has been the reputation of the Jewish Home for over a century,” he says. “But we also want to make sure people know that all are welcome here – that anyone can come and receive the kind of quality care, service, and attention we’ve always been known for.” Shifting demographics mean Los Angeles Jewish Health is increasingly serving a more diverse population of older adults. By 2030, one in five Americans are projected to be older individuals. Older adults 85 and older are the fastest growing segment of this population and are expected to increase five-fold over the next 30 years, from four million in 2000 to 21 million in 2050. Los Angeles Jewish Health has kept pace with these trends: What began as a modest residential facility at the turn of the previous century has grown into a one of the nation’s leading health systems for older adults, providing for a rapidly expanding elder population with a broad range of geriatric and specialty healthcare needs. “The Los Angeles Jewish Home name served us well for more than 100 years, but it doesn’t describe what we do now as an organization,” says Andrew Berman, chair of Los Angeles Jewish Health’s board of directors. “We are a healthcare organization for older adults, and although people do reside with us, we offer so many other services beyond what you would expect from just a ‘home.’ Our new name encompasses much more while also honoring and respecting the past and better describing who we are, what we do, and where we’re heading.” Going forward, as we continue to reach new segments of the growing older adult population, the LA community will continue to benefit from the same remarkable, standard-setting care. “As we have for more than 100 years, we will dedicate ourselves to contributing Los Angeles Jewish Health’s extensive experience and medical expertise toward better health outcomes for all older adults,” Dale says. “At Los Angeles Jewish Health, that’s a promise!”

Helene Kapel and her daughter Alicia Martin With each passing year, the number of survivors of the Holocaust continues to dwindle. At Los Angeles Jewish Health (LAJH), we are privileged to care for some of these exceptional individuals, and we are dedicated to helping them preserve their incredible stories of triumph and resilience. This year, Los Angeles Jewish Health teamed up with the Providence Institute for Human Caring (a nonprofit organization affiliated with Providence, one of the nation's largest health systems) to document the histories of survivors who reside at Los Angeles Jewish Health. In total, 11 residents ranging from 79 to 98 years-old shared their stories; the interviews yielded both video and audio recordings. "It was a humbling experience—and a true honor—to capture these narratives," says Scott Acord, the Providence Institute's communications and external affairs manager. "These folks and their families had their lives and livelihoods stolen from them simply because they were Jewish. Yet, somehow, they persevered. They possess an inner strength I'm not sure I'll ever have." The interviews were conducted as part of Hear Me Now, an initiative founded by the Providence Institute for the purpose of recording personal histories as a way to make healthcare more humane. For many years, Hear Me Now partnered with StoryCorps, a project that gained national prominence when it became a regular feature on National Public Radio. As with StoryCorps, recordings from Hear Me Now are archived at the Library of Congress. Caroline Weingarten "Sharing stories, and learning about those in our community, is one important way of building a society that prioritizes personalized care," Scott says. "The interviews with Holocaust survivors fall under our ‘faith-based and cultural traditions' category. Providence is a Catholic-based organization, and it's important to us to forge connections with members of other faith communities." Those connections are what enabled the Los Angeles Jewish Health-Providence Institute collaboration in the first place. Prior to assuming the role of CEO and president for Los Angeles Jewish Health, Dale Surowitz had a long and successful career with Providence, most recently as CEO of Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. Dale's relationship with his peers at Providence was the initial impetus for the two nonprofits (Los Angeles Jewish Health and the Providence Institute) to team up through Hear Me Now. Leading the interviews were Los Angeles Jewish Health's own Annette Weinberg, lifestyle and enrichment director, Katie Abelson, director of social services, and Susan Leitch, safety officer and community manager. The interviews lasted between 15 and 60 minutes each. Edited versions of the conversations will be available online at hearmenowstories.org; the full interviews will be accessible on the StoryCorps website. "We were blessed to record these stories and to be witness to these first-person accounts of such a pivotal moment in history," Scott says. "Going forward, they'll be a vital resource for future generations." You may listen to Carolyn Weingarten's story "Fleeing to Palestine" by clicking here. Be sure to check back over the summer on the Los Angeles Jewish Health Website - lajhealth.org. We’ll be posting additional stories as they are shared with us.

In a world of rising prices and spiking inflation, it has become increasingly hard to find exceptional value. Yet, that is precisely what is currently offered for prospective residents at Los Angeles Jewish Health's Fountainview at Eisenberg Village independent living community. For a limited time, the facility's entrance and monthly fees are the lowest in the greater metropolitan Los Angeles area. Soon to be honored with the Los Angeles Daily News' popular Readers' Choice award for "Best Retirement Community," Fountainview at Eisenberg Village has made a conscious choice to hold down costs for older adults considering a move. "We have a remarkable community that provides incredible all-inclusive care, and we want to advance our mission of making that care available to a broader group of people," says Larissa Stepanians, Los Angeles Jewish Health's chief operating officer. "Our goal is to help older adults across Los Angeles take advantage of the full spectrum of our programs and services." The scope of those programs and services is vast. "Fountainview at Eisenberg Village is essentially like a cruise ship on land," notes Adam Peña, the community's executive director. "From our fitness center and spa to our movie theater and beauty salon, we have it all. And that's on top of the world-class healthcare that is tailored to suit each resident's needs." Fountainview at Eisenberg Village's on-campus clinic and skilled nursing facility give residents critical peace of mind, knowing they can access those services seamlessly—as necessary, and without having to leave the comfort of their home environment. "You can see your general practitioner, consult a medical specialist, or get physical therapy, all right here on site," Adam says. "As you age and may experience a decline in function, we're here to give you comprehensive support." That support includes clinical oversight by a highly skilled registered nurse who is on call around the clock. Many individuals and couples who move to Fountainview at Eisenberg Village come for the robust and stimulating socialization. "We have so many activities here. Imagine wonderful classes like yoga and tai chi, plus countless opportunities to meet people and make new friends who are your same age and at your same level of cognition," Larissa says. "Because it's all-inclusive, residents also get things like delicious kosher meals, which can be delivered directly to their apartments, as well as transportation when they want to go off campus. And we're pet-friendly!" For many residents, living at Fountainview at Eisenberg Village during COVID-19 has helped get them through the pandemic. "Whereas isolation and loneliness have impacted so many older adults living alone over the past two and a half years, our residents have actually thrived during the pandemic," Larissa says. "Whether it was getting them early access to the vaccine or giving them the technology and tools to communicate virtually with loved ones, we enabled residents to stay healthy and connected." Resident Joy Picus, a long-time Los Angeles Jewish Health fan who served for 16 years as a member of the Los Angeles City Council, found Fountainview at Eisenberg Village to be a refuge during a time of global upheaval. "We're much safer here because we don't have to go anywhere that could expose us, since all the amenities we want are provided for us on campus!" she says. With entrance fees from as low as $399,000, the time has never been better to embrace all that Fountainview at Eisenberg Village has to offer. To learn more, contact [email protected] or (818) 654-5531.

This summer, Los Angeles Jewish Health's own chief medical officer, Noah Marco, MD, was appointed to the board of directors of the California Association of Long-Term Care Medicine (CALTCM)—a highly visible organization on the statewide healthcare landscape. During his two-year term, Dr. Marco will join other CALTCM board members to help ensure the quality of skilled nursing facility care in California. Founded in 1975 as the California Association of Medical Directors, CALTCM is the professional organization for California physicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, and others working in long-term care. The group is at the forefront of statewide efforts to advocate for quality patient healthcare, provide long-term care education, and influence policy. "I am thrilled to be serving on the CALTCM board and feel gratified to have this opportunity to give back to the community," Dr. Marco says. "It's also a privilege to be able to raise the profile of Los Angeles Jewish Health even further through my service by shining a light on LAJH's innovative efforts to make a difference in the lives of older adults and their families."

Did you know that 75% of the seniors served by Los Angeles Jewish Health rely on government assistance? Meeting their needs is a considerable challenge. Donor and community support is what makes it possible and what makes life at Los Angeles Jewish Health so special.

Our vital programs and services – recognized nationwide for their ability to keep our elderly residents healthy and strong – depend upon your kind contributions. Your assistance means we are able to continue providing the best quality care, nutritious kosher meals and life-affirming activities that make a crucial difference for our seniors every day.

Did you know that 75% of the seniors served by Los Angeles Jewish Health rely on government assistance? Meeting their needs is a considerable challenge. Donor and community support is what makes it possible and what makes life at Los Angeles Jewish Health so special.