Community beyond construction at 899 Charleston Songwriting ...

At the Jewish Home of San Francisco, we hear often fromfamily members who want to tell us how happy theirloved one is at the Home, and how important it is tothem that their mother or father is so well taken care of.I know how comforted my husband, Steve, and I felt whenmy father-in-law, Clarence Krieger, a past president of theHome, became a resident. We were able to rest better atnight knowing he was under the Home’s wonderful care.From the many moving stories, here is one I would like to share.Robert Loeva’s mother, Dina Loeva, spent thelast year of her life with us. Dina was a fiercelyindependent woman who refused to leave her homeuntil her health made it an absolute necessity. Afterfinally agreeing to move into the Jewish Home, herlife changed for the better. “It was as if she found anew extended family after many years of isolation,”Robert tells us.“She made many new friends among theresidents and the staff. Every day was a gift,” headds. Dina had studied art, and at the Home shebecame one of our artists, painting dozens ofpictures. Several of these paintings hang in hergranddaughter’s bedroom, a lasting reminder of herloving grandmother.Arlene Krieger“Excellence has its price, though. This year, thecost of care for each resident is $20,000 morethan we receive in reimbursements from thestate. Your help is more important than ever.”Stories like this one are only part of the reasonour Jewish Home is an ongoing source of inspirationto me. I visit the Home several days every week, andeach time I am heartened to see the outstandingand compassionate care residents receive 24 hoursa day, seven days a week. Through the Home, ourcommunity is fulfilling a sacred promise and a basictenet of Judaism: to honor our elders.I am proud to say that each of our residents,regardless of the state of their health or their abilityto pay, receives the same extraordinary care, trulyenriching their later years. Art programs, kosherfood, a resident rabbi and an on-site synagogue arenot extras at the Jewish Home; they are an integralpart of our approach to caring for seniors. Since ourfounding 137 years ago, we have counted on thegenerosity of our Jewish community to help makethe Jewish Home truly a ‘home.’Excellence has its price, though. This year, thecost of care for each resident is $20,000 more thanwe receive in reimbursements from the state. Yourhelp is more important than ever. Forsake Me Not,a new fundraising appeal that I am pleased to chair,will help support excellent care. Our dedicatedcommittee members – Shirley Eisler, DavidFriedman, Mark Myers, Debra Reynolds, Carol S.Roberts, Alan Silverman, and honorary co-chairsPhyllis Friedman and Barbara Rosenberg – arereaching out to old friends and new to help us. Wehave already raised $600,000 of our $1 million goalfor this fiscal year ending June 30.Family members Debra Reynolds and StevenHammerschlag tell us, “When we visit our mother,Ilse Hammerschlag, at the Home, we are alwaysappreciative, not just for the care she receives, butalso for the unconditional respect given her. Weleave our visits feeling grateful and knowing ourmother is safe. This contribution is our way of sayingthanks.”With your help, we will reach our goal and willcontinue to serve the bodies and the souls of ourcommunity’s elders.Arlene KriegerChair, Board of Trustees,Jewish Home & Senior Living Foundation8 Jewish Senior Living summer 2008