“SACRED SEASONS CELEBRATION KIT” PROGRAM
Built on Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism.
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.
Wyncote, PA, USA,
Program Description
“Rituals and traditional songs give us a way of accessing memories we might not get to otherwise…A song or a liturgical fragment that is known will cause people to go to places [in the past] and start conversations. Even for residents with high levels of dementia, it’s a road back, a window back, into their community. And for everyone, it’s deeply important to keep doing the worship that we grew up with, that we know.”
- Pastor Stephen Weisser, of Paul’s Run Community in Philadelphia.
-sacredseasons.org
The "Jewish Faith" kits contain step-by-step instructions, a resource guide to books, music and ritual objects for staff of nursing care facilities and senior residents.
The "How to" kits are distributed to nursing facilities so that Jewish senior residents may practice their faith and observe religious holidays.
The "Sacred Seasons Celebration Kit" Program is adaptable for elderly of all ranges of abilities.
Sessions may be led by facilitators with no previous knowledge of Judaism or Hebrew.
The benefits of the "Sacred Seasons Celebration Kits" program for elderly and caregivers include:
-Improved social, emotional and physical well being at all levels of functioning
-Enhanced sense of community
-Creates engaging and positive experiences for elderly and visiting family members to share
-A commitment to an elders spiritual well being
source:sacredseasons.org
MORE JEWISH ELDERLY PROGRAMS:
Jewish Association for Services for the Aged Elder Abuse Prevention Program - Teams of attorneys and social workers are trained to help older adults who are victims of elder abuse in New York. Shades of Gray Seminar Program - Monthly seminar that trains faith based leaders to better serve seniors by exploring aging spiritually though novels, short stories and memoirs from contemporary and classical Jewish literature and exercises.
Senior Friendly Neighborhoods Program - Servicing neighborhoods with a substantial Jewish population in Baltimore that are Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC's) in order to develop and support thriving, stable communities.
Bubbes Bakery Program - Traditions are passed down as Jewish seniors and children learn to make traditional Jewish baked goods.
Building Closure into Your Practice - End of Life Care for Physicians Training - The Jewish Healthcare Foundation teaching physicians the communication skills, medical principles, and techniques needed to improve the care that they provide for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Elder's Family Learning Initiative Program - Training classes to assist families coping with the long-term care system allowing seniors to live in comfort, greater independence, dignity and in an environment based on Jewish values.
DOROT Cemetary Visits Program - Volunteer escorts accompany seniors to visit the gravesites of loved ones in cemeteries and assist with emotional support. The DOROT organization is made up of a majority of Jewish seniors, volunteers, and contributors however all are always welcome.
DOROT Kosher Meals for the Homebound Program - Home delivery of nutritious kosher senior meals to elderly in New York.
