NEWSLETTER Summer/Fall 2019

IN THIS ISSUEPAGE 3 Kavod’s L’Chaim2Life Conference had record breaking crowds during its 6th annual event.

PAGE 6 Giving is for all of us: meet a Kavod resident who exemplifies tzedakah.

PAGE 5 Two wonderful new intergenerational programs on campus focus on art and music.

Kavod Wins Top Workplaces Award“Working with older adults is very gratifying; it enriches my life and gives me a strong sense of purpose.” - Kavod Staff Member, 2019 Energage Survey

Thanks to feedback like this, Kavod received high enough marks on an anonymous survey to win a Top Workplaces Award from the Denver Post for 2019.

The award is part of an annual contest in Colorado that measures employee satisfaction, resulting in a list of 100 of the state’s top workplaces for the calendar year.

Other Kavod staff members had similar great things to say:

• Kavod treats residents and staff with great respect.

• I love the people I work with!

• People really care about each other here. Most are here for the same reason and that is to make life for our seniors as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

• Kavod really cares about its employees, this can be witnessed by looking at the benefit and retirement packages. You just don’t see this type of coverage any more.

• All teams work together for the good of our residents and staff.

continued on page 4

Kavod team members with the Top Workplace Award

I often think about this quote when I reflect on the progress we have made at Kavod Senior Life. Our successful programs can largely be attributed to

the community partnerships we’ve built over the years. I’d like to feature two areas at Kavod where our collaborative efforts have led to many positive outcomes for our residents.

One area is our health and wellness services; our providers have been instrumental in contributing to our residents’ overall well-being. A great example is our eight-year partnership with Legacy Health Care that delivers physical and occupational therapy five days per week in our Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Health & Wellness Center.

Recently, the Legacy staff helped a Kavod resident who fractured her wrist from a fall. The therapists worked with her to regain her range of motion and start using her hand again for everyday tasks. They now are even designing a program so the resident’s daughter and caregivers can help her remain independent in her apartment and not need a higher level of care. These results align perfectly with our mission.

A second area where partners make a big difference is Kavod’s intergenerational programming. Through the Strear Family Foundation, Kavod became part of the LinkAGES collaborative focusing on intergenerational content. During one student-resident photography project, powerful connections were made through pictures and memories. One student said of her resident partner, “I was able to help her by listening; she was able to help me by explaining how the past can’t be repeated. Ann’s story made a huge impact on my life because it made me want to change the world from how it is now.”

In a similar vein, our longest-running intergenerational program, Project Story, continues for its 19th year as elementary students from the Logan School meet with our residents every other week to read together, sing songs and form valuable relationships.

There are so many more partnerships that help make Kavod the special place it is, and I am grateful for all of them. Together we really can do so much more than working alone.

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Message from the President & CEO

Michael Klein

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.“ - Helen Keller

MISSIONKavod Senior Life provides life-enriching experiences to older adults through a broad range of housing and support services that reflect the spiritual, social and cultural values of Jewish tradition.

397 Units

370SL* Units

400+Residents

27 AL⁰ Units

*senior living ⁰assisted living

23%77%Annual Income

< $13,000

$309

Average Monthly Rent

40%

Jewish60%

other religious affiliations

30% from former Soviet Union

average age

Wait List

250+people

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KAVOD SENIOR LIFE AT A GLANCEFirst Year of Operation: 1971

“At this stage of my life, I am so proud and so grateful to be living in the most wonderful, caring and loving community, perfectly and beautifully named Kavod” – Marlene, Independent Living Resident

REPORTIMPACT Did you receive Kavod’s Impact Report?

If you would like a copy, please contact Christie Ziegler, Director of Marketing at CZiegler@KavodSeniorLife.org

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September 2Labor DayKavod Office closed

September 4Special Speaker: Sara Moses, Resident and Holocaust Survivor 5:45 pm | Elaine Wolf Dining Room at Kavod

September 8Grandparent’s Day Ice Cream Social 3:00 to 4:00 pm | Elaine Wolf Dining Room at Kavod

September 30Rosh HashanahKavod Office Closed 10:00 am Services | Kavod Shul

October 2 - 7Active Aging Week!

October 9Yom KippurKavod Office Closed 10:00 am Services | Kavod Shul

October 14 - 20SukkotOffice closed 10/14 and ½ day 10/15

November 28ThanksgivingOffice closed 11/28 & 29

December 2Colorado Gives Day

June 23 was a significant day for Kavod on the Road, Kavod’s community outreach

department, as its sixth annual conference for older adults was a huge success. With a record-breaking 330 attendees, the L’Chaim2Life Conference provided participants with information, education and inspiration for the second half of life.

Rabbi Dayle Friedman delivered the keynote speech, You Shall Be a Blessing: Living on Purpose as We Grow Older. Rabbi Friedman is a pioneer in the development of a Jewish spiritual vision for aging, care and healing.

Here are a few comments from the day:

“The conference was beautiful, uplifting and inspiring! It was a very memorable day! Thank you!”

“I thought this year’s L’Chaim2Life Conference was the best yet. And everyone to whom I spoke enjoyed the day enormously as well. Kol HaKavod [congratulations] to you for all your hard work and for an outstanding result! “

“We are so pleased by the turnout and positive response to this year’s conference,” commented organizer Gabriel Sanders, Kavod’s Community Outreach Coordinator. “The conference keeps getting better every year, and we look forward to an even greater impact in 2020.”

“Sellout” Crowd at

Mark Your

Calendar

Lunch break at L’Chaim2Life Conference.

Rabbi Friedman during the keynote address.

L’Chaim2Life was co-presented by Temple Emanuel, Jewish Family Service, JEWISHcolorado, The JCC Denver and Kavod on the Road along with 20 additional community partners.

The Denver Post collaborated with research partner Energage, LLC to anonymously measure several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, among others. Kavod rose to the top partly due to its four core values of Commitment, Excellence, Compassion and Respect. These attributes are modeled in tangible ways for staff, including a robust benefits package, educational opportunities and an emphasis on work/life balance.

“Everyone wins when team members are appreciated and empowered to be involved in the mission,” says Kavod’s Director of Human Resources, Christine Dewhurst. Nearly 100 full and part-time team members work at Kavod serving both residents and older adults living in the greater community.

“Becoming a Top Workplace isn’t something organizations can buy,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. “It’s an achievement organizations have worked for and a distinction that gives them a competitive advantage. It’s a big deal.” Kavod celebrated the event with a catered breakfast for staff and a plaque that hangs proudly in the main lobby.

Come check it out!

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Generations Engage in Art and Music

Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) is a nationally-replicated program helping build bridges between generations and address cognitive barriers through abstract art. Fourteen Kavod residents–mostly from Assisted Living–and ten young adults participated in this program on campus over eight weeks to create “failure free” art. The resulting pieces were celebrated at Kavod in gallery shows, but the deeper outcomes will continue; research shows that volunteers develop more empathy and affection for people living with dementia while older adults show signs of engagement and pleasure due to their participation in OMA.

“I never knew I was an artist!” exclaimed one resident; others have continued to enjoy sharing and displaying the pieces they created.

MUSIC & MEMORY® helps bring personalized music to older adults through digital technology and has been implemented around the globe. In the first round of programming this past spring, teens from Temple Emanuel were paired with Kavod residents to learn what kind of music they liked, prepare a personalized playlist on an MP3 player and then spend subsequent weeks listening to music together. Both groups had a wonderful time sharing the experience of music together. “I’m off the charts happy!” said one resident, while another shared, “The only thing you could do better is to have this program five days per week.” More sessions are scheduled for this fall (Sept.–Nov. 2019).

A teen and Kavod resident enjoy the first MUSIC & MEMORY® experience.

Kavod Wins Top Workplaces Award, continued

Showing off the Top Workplace Award

Thanks to generous funding from the Strear Family Foundation and the Association of Jewish Aging Services, Kavod has been able to implement two wonderful new intergenerational programs on

campus that focuses on arts (Opening Minds Through Art) and music (Music and Memory).

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Legacy Society

Kavod Senior Life

Giving Is for All of Us: Anyone Can Give

Philanthropy comes from the Greek word for the love of people, which–in our Western culture–is typically understood to be an act of goodwill and generosity.

This notion of charity is different from the Jewish concept derived from the Hebrew word tzedakah (seh-DAH-kuh), which is understood as an ethical obligation. In Judaism, tzedakah refers to the religious duty to do what is right and just. It is not an act exclusively for the well-to-do or something done in sympathy. It is everyone’s duty– if you have a lot, give a lot; if you have a little, give a little.

Tzedakah is what drives Bernice Falik to give. Bernice is a resident of Kavod Senior Life who came to Denver 27 years ago from New York City. She has lived on our campus for the last ten years. Despite a fixed income and limited means, Bernice consistently gives to Kavod on a monthly basis. It is amazing and humbling to see her contribute ongoing gifts between $5 and $18 in memory or in honor of loved ones in her life.

Although her gifts may appear small, they add up to a significant gift by the end of the year. Bernice tells us, “From the time I was a child, my mother taught me that I must help the less fortunate. It makes no difference if you help with food, money or a caring heart–you must give to others.” Bernice’s love of people as well as her commitment to tzedakah illustrate her mother’s teaching and help make an impact on the organization she loves so much.

Philanthropy/tzedakah takes a variety of forms, from large foundation grants to someone like Bernice who wants to make a difference. If Bernice can contribute, so can all of us.

Please join Bernice by supporting Kavod Senior Life through a donation, Legacy Gift or specific program support. We are thankful for all of your contributions, big or small–they help enrich and improve the lives of our residents and community.

Bernice Fallik, Kavod resident and philanthropist

To make a donation or become a member of the Legacy Society, please contact

Gaile at 720.382.7819 or GWaldinger@KavodSeniorLife.org.

P L E A S E J O I N U S

F R I E N D S TIMESFOR SOME GOOD BEERS

FUN

SUSIE & PERRYMOSS

THURSDAYAUGUST 15, 2019

6:00 to 9:00 pm6:00 pm Annual Community Meeting

6:30 pm Festivities Begin

Great Divide Brewing Company3403 Brighton Boulevard

Denver, CO 80216adjacent parking available

Kavod Senior Life will honor Susie & Perry Moss with the Elaine Wolf L’Dor V’Dor Award.

All proceeds will support Kavod on the Road, our community outreach program.

KavodSeniorLife.org/CheersRSVP by August 1st • Casual attire

Thank you to MidFirst Bank, Max and Elaine Appel, Marx Okubo, Polsinelli Shughart, Pinkard Construction,

The Denver Agency, Brownstein, Faber, Hyatt & Schreck, our other event sponsors and those who attended or

donated to our annual summer fundraiser. It was a memorable evening that raised significant funds for Kavod on the Road.

Thank you to our donors! February to June 2019

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ACTIVITIESJennie Creasey, In Memory of

Barbara Winters, z”lEmma Dreiling

ASSISTED LIVINGSharon Koransky, In Memory of

Milton Davidson, z”lBud & Syril Newman, In Memory of

Gayle Boxer, z”lSyril Newman, In Memory of Ruth Oppenheim, z”l Sandy Paulsen, z”l Jean Fogg, z”l

CHEERS TO SUSIE & PERRY MOSS (SUMMER EVENT 2019)* Aging-DynamicsMax AppelAssured Partners of ColoradoBrian BotnickBrownstein Farber Hyatt SchreckBoxer & Associates CPAs, P.C.Sharon CaulfieldClimate EngineeringDr. Michele & Dr. Theodore CooperEide BaillyFeldman MortuaryRobert & Debbie FriedmanHord Coplan MachtMarx/OkuboMidFirst BankPerry & Susie MossPinkard ConstructionPolsinelli Shughart PCPrimeSource StaffingRedi-CarpetJudy & Gary SaltzmanSharon & Justin RothSloane’s Carpet SecretThe Denver AgencyThe Staenberg GroupSteven & Loraine SummerZim Consulting, Inc.

*Those who generously donated to the summer event after June will be acknowledged in the next newsletter.

FREE FOOD BANKGuadalupe AlgieneJudy CoscarilliTanya DavollRoberta & Stan GrimesTracy Kapaun Elaine Therrien

GENERAL Deanie Andersen, In Memory of

Edythe Sunshine, z”lGarrett Barter Leslie BeltramiMark & Iga Chanecka, In Memory of

Krystyna Chancecka, z”lMichael CohenDr. Michele & Dr. Theodore CooperDavid EhrmanSimple Elegance FloristVivian Epstein Renee Gross Lawrence & Gail HankinCharles & Robyn Jacobs, In Honor of

Irene CohenFreddie Jacobs, In Memory of Edythe Sunshine, z”lKatie JohnsonKatie & Chad JohnsonMichael & Wendy KleinCarmelit LucarelliRaymond RehaIrene Rosen Litamae SherSamantha WalshDaniel WengerAmy & Steven WrightChristie Ziegler, In Memory of

Gayle Boxer, z”l

HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTERRose Community Foundation Frank & Debbie Piazza, In Memory of

Gayle Boxer, z”lKarin RutsteinDonnie SeiglerGaile Weisbly Waldinger, In Memory of

Leonard Silverman, z”l Sol Flax, z”l

KAVOD ON THE BLOCKHazon, Inc.

KAVOD ON THE ROADA Simple SwabJane AielloJay BloomfieldJEWISHcoloradoHazon, Inc.Selma & Oscar SladekJerry & Marilyn SnyderSephardic Home for the

Aged Foundation, Inc. Gaile Weisbly Waldinger, In Memory of

David Suson, z”l Ronnie Neches, z”l

KAVOD ON THE ROAD-PARTNERSHIPS BMH-BJ CongregationDenver Chapter of HadassahFeldman MortuaryHadassah, L.E.A. ChapterHebrew Educational AllianceJewish Family Service of ColoradoJudaism Your WayShalom ParkStaenberg-Loup Jewish

Community CenterThe Jewish ExperienceTemple EmanuelTemple Micah

L’CHAIM2LIFE CONFERENCEJane AielloJean & Stanley AlspectorAudrea AnticoElaine Baker, In Memory of Ester

Cohen, z”lMarilyn Bogan Judy & Frank BarnitzEvie BarashRobert & Susan BenjaminIvan& Judith Botvin, In Memory of

Ben and Charlotte Kaminsky, z”lHerbert & Enid BrodskySaundra BrodskyJean Buchler Ann CohenBarry Cohen Frances CohenMorey & Evelyn CohenAndy CoopermanBarbara & Fred CoxPatsy DavidsonJean DriscollMyrna & Melvin Engbar Shirley EpsteinAnnette FinesilverFanchon FinucaneHelen FitznerAnit FricklasHarvey & Sandy FriedentagCarol & Michael FriedmanHelena FriedmanRobert & Debbie FriedmanRoger & Judie GershawAnita & Gerry GershtenClaudia Gieg, In Memory of Charles

DeAndrea, z”lFrank & Hedy GoldMarion GoldsteinPamela GrossDavid Hazzan

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z”l = zichrono livracha/ of blessed memory

L’CHAIM2LIFE CONFERENCE, CONTINUED

Paula & Jeremy HuttMike JalvingMarilyn JordanLaurie KaganMiriam Karabel, In Memory of

Eva and Lazar Rosenstein, z”lMimi KarshSara KatshJudith KeimNathan KhodadadJudith & Stanley KippurPearl KirschmanLeatrice KolberDonna KornfeldSherry Kreis Pat Krening Lenore Krinsky Inge LevieRenae LevinCarol LevineHarriet & Ray LevyJoyce LisbinSusan Levy, D.C.Dale MarcusAnn MartinMartha MeninMarilyn MishkinEileen NaimanEloise & Rubin NatLinda & Donald NeumanSusan NevilleNancy NowakHerbert & Rochelle PadzenskyConnie PerkinsGerri & Jeremy Persin, In Honor of

The Planning CommitteeHindy PesterAva & Bert PhilippusBarbara PhillipsEthel PlotkinJaney & Larry PosnerRobin ReposaPaula RobertsLaura RoigerDebbie Romans Debbie Rosenthal Eloise RubinSusan RykeBeth SamuelsonShari SchoederEvelyn ShafnerElaine Spanier Charlene Spiegelman Susan SperoJay & Debbie Stark Carolyn Steele Irving SternbergJoan Sullivan

L’CHAIM2LIFE CONFERENCE, CONTINUED

Karen SusmanRita & Ira ThomasDonna VanDoorninckJudith WinnickMarica WolfMarion WulfsohnChristie ZieglerJoAnn Zvares

LINKAGES AT KAVODRose Community Foundation

LIFE & LEGACY Rose Community Foundation

OPENING MINDS THROUGH ARTStrear Family Foundation

RUSSIAN ACTIVITIESYaroslav & Natalia Martynyuk

SHULTatiana Blyumkin, In Memory of

Aron, z”l Michael Blyumkin, z”l Raisa Orlova, z”l Perets Kalman Kats, z”l Zelda Konel, z”l Raxel Starovez, z”lTeresa Chan, In Honor of The

Mustard Seed CommunityIrene Cohen, In Honor of her

granddaughterBernice Fallik, In Honor of

Bruce Bayroff Muriel & Bruce Bayroff Ariella Booth Casey Bogner and James Nicole J.S. Cloyd Audrey & Howard Fallik Bruce and Ann Fallik Jean Ginsberg Carmelit Lucarelli

Pat McDonnell Herb & Beverly MortonBernice Fallik, In Memory of Ethel &

Sam Bittman, z”lBernice Fallik Family, In Honor of

Bernice Fallik Carmelit Lucarelli Moake FamilyAlla Khazanova , In Memory of

her family, z”lMichael & Wendy Klein, In Memory

of David Suson, z”lCarmelit Lucarelli Sofia Merimsky, In Memory of

Raisa, Vladimir, Leonid, z”l

TREE OF LIFETracy Kapaun & Anne Dienes, In

Memory of Joan Carl “Chief”, z”lJerry & Marilyn Snyder

VAN Guadalupe AlgieneSarah S. FunPearl Neiman

Kavod in the City participants enjoy healthy eating and cooking class at

DHA’s Barney Ford Apartments

Kavod on the Road presented Wounds Into Wisdom: Healing our

Past & Creating Legacies for the Future with Rabbi Tirzah Firestone

Off Campus Events

22 South Adams StreetDenver, CO 80209

303.399.1146 | MAIN800.659.2656 | TTYKavodSeniorLife.org

Kavod Senior Life, a 501(c)3, publishes this free newsletter 3 times annually. This is issue 2 for 2019. Kavod Senior Life is located at 22 South Adams Street, Denver, CO 80209. No agencies or business mentioned in this newsletter received any compensation for use of their information or logo.

QUESTIONS | COMMENTS | SUGGESTIONS: Contact Kavod’s Marketing Department at Info@KavodSeniorLife.org

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Kavod’s van kicked off JEWISHcolorado’s Walk for Israel in the spring, allowing residents to ride the route from South High School near Washington Park.

Kavod on the Block hosted a block party for our neighbors and residents complete with farm to table cooking demonstrations, small tasting plates, live music and good times. A grant from Hazon made the event possible.

Kavod in the Community