No Jewish Elder Should Feel Alone: Jewish Prayer and Study Brought to Residential Facilities

A new program at Jewish Family Service of Metrowest brings Jewish ritual, study, and community to Jewish elders living in residential facilities in Metrowest Massachusetts.

Framingham, Mass. (PRWEB) January 8, 2004 --A new program at Jewish Family Service of Metrowest is helping elders reconnect with their heritage and community. The Kesher program began in 2002 with a concern for isolated Jewish elders in residential facilities who find it increasingly difficult to practice Judaism and to connect with other Jews.

Rachael Bregman, an aspiring rabbinical student, leads Friday afternoon Shabbat services every week at Metrowest Massachusetts assisted living residences and nursing homes on a rotating basis so that every facility has a monthly service. The staff are supported by volunteers ranging in age from social work student interns to retirees. The popular services draw residents of all faiths.

"If we can give even one Jewish elder the opportunity to participate in Shabbat services or to say Kaddish for a loved one, then we have made an important connection," said Martha Bass, LICSW, Kesher program consultant and geriatric care manager for Jewish Family Service of Metrowest.

Torah study and Yiddish bingo are offered weekly in partnership with the Metrowest Jewish Community Center, and they draw participants from outside the facility where the events are held.

"It's a way for them to remember Yiddish," said Debbie Dylan, program coordinator at the JCC, of the bingo group.

Elders living in residential facilities are re-connected with people outside the facility and with their religious and cultural heritage through this unique, local program. With the belief that no Jewish elder should be alone, Kesher aims to expand its programming, with more volunteers reaching more residential facilities.

Jewish Family Service of Metrowest is a non-sectarian, non-profit social service agency. The Kesher program is produced through Healing Partners, an interfaith program of Jewish Family Service of Metrowest.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Malka Young, director of Healing Partners
Rachael Bregman, Kesher outreach worker
Marc Jacobs, JFS/MW executive director
The above three people can be contacted at the Jewish Family Service of Metrowest agency phone number (508) 875-3100 and fax number (508) 875-4373
http://www.jfsmw.org

Debbie Dylan, program coordinator for the Metrowest JCC, can be contacted at (508) 879-3300

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