Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and Congregation Sons of Israel Celebrate Baby Naming Ceremony With Four Generations in Attendance
In a heartwarming Shabbat service on the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Peabody campus, assisted living residents joined together with Congregation Sons of Israel (CSI) members to celebrate the naming of Aya Otsubo Soreff. The service was led by CSI’s cantor and spiritual leader Seth Landau. Four generations of the family were present as the beautiful baby girl was given the Hebrew name of Chana Bat Shalom.
“We were thrilled to hold such a special ceremony on our campus,” said Megin Hemmerling, Regional President of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “It was amazing to see four generations of the family together for this momentous occasion. Both residents and congregants participated in the touching ceremony.”
Family members in attendance included great grandmother Cynthia Mortlock and her husband Ray, Cynthia’s daughter Michelle Soreff LeFrancois, Cynthia’s son Adam Soreff, Adam’s wife and son Marla and Asher Soreff, Cynthia’s granddaughter Kayley Francois and proud parents Akiko Otsubo Soreff and Cory Soreff, Cynthia’s grandson. A festive kiddush luncheon followed the service. Akiko, Cory, and baby Aya reside in Japan and were visiting the family for a three week period.
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, which operates the Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Assisted Living and the Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living, began to collaborate with CSI last February. Residents and congregants get together monthly to celebrate Shabbot. The services, which have been widely attended, enable both groups to participate in the Sabbath rituals, prayers, and songs, ruach and nusach (melody).
“This collaboration has been a wonderful experience for our congregants,” remarked Paul Ordman, President of Congregation Sons of Israel. “We are looking forward to expanding the programming to appeal to the unaffiliated Jewish community as well as other houses of worship.” Added Paul, “Joining the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare residents brings joy to our members.”
About Chelsea Jewish Lifecare
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is redefining senior care and re-envisioning what life should be like for those living with disabling conditions. The eldercare community includes a wide array of skilled and short-term rehab residences, ALS, MS and ventilator dependent specialized care residences, traditional and specialized assisted living options, memory care, independent living, adult day health, and homecare and hospice agencies that deliver customized and compassionate care.
About Congregation Sons of Israel
Congregation Sons of Israel is a Haimish, traditional, egalitarian synagogue, located about 18 miles north of Boston at Park and Spring Street near Peabody Square in Peabody, Massachusetts. The Shul and its over 250 member families are proud of its 100-year heritage as the “mother shul” of Peabody. Congregation Sons of Israel serves the needs of residents of Peabody and the surrounding communities, as a place of prayer, social gathering, and fellowship with a unique vision to promote multi-generational Jewish life and a spirit of inclusion. The Shul welcomes all who wish to visit and discover who we are and what we offer.
