1 million gift will augment a significant Jewish Home program

Paul Werner“I got a good feeling at the preview center,” says Paul Werner when he wasconsidering Moldaw Family Residences. Not being Jewish had Paul a bit apprehensiveabout maybe being an outsider, but once he moved in, his concerns were assuaged.“Everyone is warm and friendly, and if there’s something I don’t understand about aholiday or special food, for instance, they take the time to explain it,” he remarks.Paul lived in Sunnyvale for 55 years. When his wife died,he began looking for a place to retire. “I didn’t want aplace with people snoozing in wheelchairs,” he explains.“I wanted to live where people are active.”As he approaches 80, Paul could not be happier withhis decision. “Everything’s wonderful here. The food isgood and the staff is unparalleled in thoughtfulnessand kindness.”He is also happy to be living close to the area he spentso many years. His car is conveniently parked in theMoldaw garage, so it is easy to go to his church inSunnyvale on Sundays. He also enjoys lectures andcultural activities on the campus, and his children andgrandchildren join him for meals in the Moldaw diningroom. “We had a fantastic brunch on Father’s Day,”he mentions.Noting that he is a planner, Paul spent time measuringspaces in his new garden-facing apartment beforemoving in. “It was easier to leave my house than Ithought it would be,” he recalls. “I was ready.”Moldaw Family ResidencesMarcia EdelsteinMoldaw Family Residences was not on Marcia Edelstein’s radar when she was lookingfor a place in Palo Alto where she and her husband, Jack, who has Alzheimer’s, couldlive. But as soon as she learned that Moldaw had memory care suites, “I made anappointment and within 24 hours I’d signed on the dotted line,” she says.Formerly a child psychologist, Jack’s suite overlooksthe Oshman Family Jewish Community Center's earlychildhood education center where he can watchchildren play. Marcia has furnished it with fittings fromtheir home so it looks familiar, and it is just a fourminutewalk between her apartment and the securearea where her husband lives. “Jack is very safe; that’sa major reassurance,” she says. “He’s getting excellentcare from superb people. His medications are monitoredand staff walks with him to the library. They’re tunedinto him and he’s content.”Marcia has lived in Palo Alto since the 1960s and hasmany friends in the area; thus it was important to her tolive near them and be able to continue her contacts. Herinitial concern about dining at Moldaw with people shedid not know has actually turned into “a big plus. I’vemet lovely, interesting women who are looking for thesame things I am,” she says. “We can sit together andlaugh. That’s what I treasure. When we go back to ourown apartments, we feel good.”And that makes Marcia happy. In fact, Marcia’s sonshave told her they have not seen her so happy in manyyears. “I realize I’ve done them an enormous favor,”she comments.2010/ 2011 Jewish Senior Living11