We are off to a great start as we celebrated the start of the Jewish year together. Residents and their families came together for a beautiful Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner. We held lovely services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur for our residents and their families.

This year we started a new tradition for the second day of Rosh Hashanah – Menorah Life celebrated the holiday with members of Temple Beth-El who attended services and a kiddush luncheon at the Samson Nursing Center. We are so grateful to Temple Beth-El for reaching out to create this new connection. I would like to thank Rabbi Jenn Mangold, cantorial soloist Barbara Mazer, and violinist Rebecca Zapen, who co-led the service with me. Temple Beth-El’s participation brought so much joy to our residents and their families.

We have big plans for the rest of the Fall Jewish holiday season.  For Sukkot, which runs from September 29 through October 6, we will build our special sukkahs at the Samson Nursing Center and Toby Weinman Residence. We bring the Land of Israel to our residents with the beautiful sukkah wall art depicting the Western Wall in Jerusalem. On October 3, we have planned a Pizza in the Hut Sukkot celebration for residents, families, and staff, and a Sukkot celebration for Toby Weinman residents on October 4. We will have dried fruit in the sukkahs throughout the week for residents and families to enjoy as well as a lulav and etrog on hand for anyone who wishes to partake in the mitzvah.

If you would like to have a meal in the sukkah with your loved ones, please feel free to reach out to me to make a reservation.

On October 8 at 10:30 AM, we will have our Simchat Torah celebration with lots of singing and dancing for our residents and families. Everyone is welcome to attend.

May our hearts be filled with the joy of this season.

Shanah Tovah and Hag Sameach!

Rabbi Aaron M. Lever, BCC
Director of Spiritual Care