Message from Kae Santos, Regional President, Chelsea

March 21, 2023

Dear Residents and Families,

I hope this message finds you well. March has been a month full of lively events and fun activities across our residences as we say goodbye to winter and welcome spring.

Across Chelsea Jewish, we celebrated Purim, a Jewish holiday, with residents and staff dressing up in colorful costumes. Everyone participated in singing, dancing, and eating delicious traditional foods. We even had a Purim Costume Contest to recognize and award who wore the best costumes. I encourage you to read more about this holiday and view the pictures in this newsletter.

We also joined residents in celebrating National Employee Appreciation Day with a special meal and treats for our staff. We were also thrilled to announce the return of employee trips to honor our staff’s many years of service. We thank our amazing team for all their compassion, dedication, and hard work in caring for all our residents and families. They are what make our Chelsea Jewish residences the best place to live and receive care every day. When you see them, please join us in showing them gratitude for everything they do.

All the best,

Kae

Kae Santos
Regional President, Chelsea
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Message from Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

March 16, 2023

Dear Friends,

This month I am presenting a video at the Annual AJAS Conference in St. Petersburg, FL. The video, produced by a resident at the Leonard Florence Center about life at LFCL, was chosen from hundreds of “Mission Moments” video submissions throughout the country. It is a powerful and moving piece, and one that means a great deal to me. I am thrilled to be introducing it on behalf of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare.

Wishing you and your families a very Happy Passover and Easter.

Sincerely,

Barry Berman
CEO
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Fun-Filled Purim Celebrations Held on Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Campuses

March 13, 2023

There were smiles and laughter all around during our annual Purim celebrations in Chelsea and Peabody. Residents were dancing, singing, and eating while dressed in vibrant costumes. Some staff members brought their children and grandchildren. Clearly everyone who attended enjoyed the festivities immensely.

Purim, one of the most joyous Jewish holidays, is only a day long. Usually held in March or April, the holiday commemorates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from execution by Haman, the advisor to the Persian king. Esther bravely exposed her previously hidden Jewish heritage to her husband the king and asked him to save her people, which he did. Purim is so important to the Jewish community mainly because it’s a story of triumph for a long- and harshly persecuted people.

Purim is observed by Jewish communities around the world. The traditional food of Purim is the three-sided pastry known as hamentaschen. The treat symbolizes Hamen’s hat, and eating it is a way to symbolically destroy his memory. One of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday, hamentaschen is often made with fruit, figs, poppy seeds, chocolate, or other sweet fillings.

A highlight of the day was our Purim Costume Contest. Residents voted on the best costumes and winners received prizes. One look at the photos and you can see that the celebration was an unqualified success! Thank you to our wonderful staff and residents who planned a very special day for all of us.

 What’s Happening in March at Katzman Family Center for Living

March 16, 2023

As the month of March quickly passes, we at Katzman are not sitting still watching time go by! Rather we are engaging in activities, celebrations, and holiday traditions.

First of all, we celebrated the Jewish holiday of Tu BiShvat by honoring the “New Year for Trees.” Residents planted seedling trees, along with some herbs, peas and marigolds. The holiday is also known as the Jewish Earth Day. We are excited to watch the progression from seed to plant.

Our Sweethearts Day celebration was festive and fun with music, dancing, and delicious chocolate desserts. With food in mind, our baking class is picking up steam with more and more residents participating each month. “Create your own cookie concoction” was this month’s theme and the cookies tasted as good as they looked! The aroma of freshly baked cookies permeated the entire house.

Father Carroll was on hand for Ash Wednesday, visiting our Catholic residents in the building who wanted to receive ashes. For trips this month, restaurant outings included Green Tea Chinese restaurant in Lynn, where Doris Farren enjoyed her PuPu platter for one. And at Jimmy’s Steer House in Saugus, residents clearly enjoyed their main courses, but it appeared that the hot fudge sundaes at the end of the meal was the bigger hit.

We recently held an Employee of the Month dinner, celebrating all of our exceptional staff members who were awarded Employee of the Month in 2022. Special congratulations go to Joseph LeBlanc. He was awarded the Lena Goldberg Employee of the Year Award for his exceptional service. Congratulations Joseph!

Last, but certainly not least, we celebrated Gilda Richman’s 85th birthday! Gilda, we should all look as young and beautiful as you do. You are vibrant, compassionate, energetic, and dynamic. Happy, Happy Birthday!

Look What’s Happening at Leonard Florence Center for Living

March 15, 2023

March is a busy month at the Leonard Florence Center. Our Purim celebration was a huge hit, with a parade, costume contest, delicious food and colorful decorations. A Megillah reading and lively music from Jimmy Honohan and “The Poet” rounded out the festivities.

A Leonard Florence tradition is back by popular demand. Thursday, March 30 marks the opening day for the Red Sox, which is always a cause for celebration. Residents and staff will be “dressing down” by wearing Red Sox attire. And, of course, we will watch the game in the café, with snacks and treats by our side.

This month we are looking forward to three restaurant outings: Policari’s, Su Chang’s and The Cheesecake Factory. In addition to extensive menus, the trips are a great way to socialize and have fun.

Our poplar Tai-Chi exercise class combines breathing techniques with active range of motion exercises. More and more residents are attending each week. Also high on the activity list: our musical concerts on Monday afternoons. It’s a great opportunity to sing, dance and listen to classic hits.

Warmest wishes to the following residents who are celebrating March birthdays. We hope you have a very special day!

Donna D: March 5
Allayne C: March 10
Ina R: March 14
Jonathan: March 15
Rose C: March 20