Bring the Festival of Lights to Elderly Jews
Many elderly Jews are shuttered away from the welcoming embrace of the light of Chanukah. During Chanukah, CBST and Koleinu's Healthcare/ Eldercare Campaign will bring Chanukah candlelighting to Jewish Home and Life Care, at 106th Street near Columbus Ave.
Join CBST for a few hours one evening from December 20th to 27th in creating a Festival of Light for those elders who may have no family with whom to light candles.
We are delighted you would like to join CBST and Koleinu's Healthcare Eldercare Action Team in bringing light to elderly jews this Chanukah at Jewish Home Lifecare.
You can join in with a candle lighting team which has been scheduled, see schedule below. Please find below instructions for volunteers. Happy Chanukah!
Friday
Michal Frank, 3:30pm, Friedman 2/3
RoseAnn Herman, 3:30-4:30pm, Sutro 1-4
Spencer Shear, 4:30-6, Friemdan 2-7
Saturday:
Eric Fettman, 7:00-7:30, Friedman 2/3
Irene Riegner & Diane Burhenee, 5:30-6:30, Sutro 1-4
Larry Kay/Marni Aarlev, 5:30-6pm, Frank 2/3
Steve Frank, 5:30-6:30pm, Frank 4-7
Sunday
RoseAnn Herman, 5:30-6:30, Sutro 1-4
Leslie Gevirtz, 5:00-5:30, Frank 4/5
Ross Goldberg, 5:30-6:00, Frank 6/7
Monday
Spencer Shear, 4:30-5pm, Sutro 3-4
Larry Kay, Frank, 4:30-5pm, Frank 2/3
Judy Hollander/Sara Walker/Joseph Cunin, 5:00-6:30, Frank 4-7
Tuesday
Lisa Schnall & Paul Goldsman, 4:30-6:30, Friedman 1/2, Sutro 1-4
Michael Levine/Ruth Gursky, 4:30-5pm, Frank 4/5
Sheila Pack/Spencer Shear, 4:30-5pm, Frank 6/7
Dear Chanukah 2011 Volunteer,
Thank you so much for your generous offer to light menorahs at the Jewish Home Lifecare at 120 West 106 St. (between Columbus and Amsterdam). Below are some pointers.
If you don’t know how to reach your assigned floor(s). you can ask at the security desk when you arrive.
If you do not know the blessings, please stop by our office located on the Ground Floor behind the bank of three elevators. If no one is there to assist you, please just take a copy of the Chanukah booklet that will be by the door. The booklet includes the blessings and some songs. Sing or recite in Hebrew and/or English – as much as possible. You do not need to sing all of them. If you know different songs, add to the repertoire and sing what you know. PLEASE RETURN THE BOOKLETS TO THE SAME PLACE BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
When you arrive at your assigned floor, please ask for the Unit Manager or Nurse in charge. Let him/her know that you are a volunteer who has come to light the menorah with the residents. Although we have tried to arrange the lighting around mealtime so that most of the residents will be gathered in the dining room or around the nurse's station, we may have missed the mark. In that case please ask the same person if there are any residents who would enjoy participating in the menorah ceremony, and try to gather as many as you can into the dining room within your time constraints. While most are already present, it is possible that a few residents are still in their rooms, in which case you may need to bring them into the area. If you do not have the time, skip this last step. PLEASE REALIZE THAT EVEN THOUGH 60% OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE NOT JEWISH, MANY LOVE TO JOIN IN.
The electric menorahs in the Frank and Sutro buildings are in the dining room on the windowsill or perhaps the piano. In Friedman they are on the nurses’ station. Speak loudly (many are hard of hearing), announce who you are and why you are there. Before you recite the blessings, encourage the residents to join in, flip the appropriate switches for the day and sing/recite whatever you can. If you have time, you can tell a story, talk about the meaning of Chanukah or just hang out and talk. “Chanukah, Oh Chanukah” and “Rock of Ages” are favorites. Allow about 10-15 minutes per floor. If you have extra time, you might check with the staff to see if there are any residents in the rooms who would appreciate a brief visit. Throughout your visit remember that the Jewish concept of b’tzelem Elohim (the idea that all people are created in God’s image) is primary here. Even those who seem to be least alive still are! Traditions mean a great deal to many of them.
If you have questions or comments, please call 212-870-4694 . If you cannot make it at the last minute, please send a substitute. Please let me know how your experience was and if there were any problems with the menorah or the program (jmalamy@jewishhome.org )
THANK YOU FOR PERFORMING THIS MITZVAH!
