This year, the Elly Kleinman Center is privileged to honor one of our community’s most illustrious synagogues — Central Synagogue — not only for their recognition of the importance of what our sages referred to as “honoring our elderly”, but also for transforming this recognition into practice and deed. What began in the 80’s as a small nascent group of Jewish individuals in search of new ways to express more liberal views of religious observance has grown over the ensuing thirty plus years to its current status of 500 committed families. Over the course of this development, Central Synagogue has always perpetuated the mission of its founders “religious growth and development…strength and love of our faith in the hearts of our children…and to encourage social service.”
When the Holocaust Education Center at New York began serving seniors in our community in 2002 and Holocaust Education Center Assisted Living in 2009, an instant symbiotic relationship was established between the Holocaust Education Center and the synagogue because of the leaderships’ and congregants’ desire to practice the age-old mitzvah of honoring our seniors and creating community.
Of course, the Kleinman Holocaust Education Center congregational initiatives flourish and are successful when fostered by leadership. Over the years, Central Synagogue has been blessed with esteemed clergical leadership who have promoted and encouraged social service. The current leadership of Rabbi David-Seth David, Assistant Rabbi Araon Freedman, and Cantor Israel Singer are shining examples. Their support, personal commitment and individual participation have exemplified “leadership by example”, and has been partnered by the support and initiative of a distinguished board and lay leaders. The synagogue’s logo cites a slogan of D’or V’Dor — From Generation to Generation, and the leadership’s commitment to the community’s elderly is reflected right down to the values it imparts to its youth. The development of and participation in programs that include seniors is remarkable. Monthly Shabbat Service Family Program, Family Nite Programs, Youth Mitzvah Programs such as Face 2 Face, Volunteer Outreach Programs and participation in the Holocaust Education Center’s Holiday Hot Kosher Meals-On-Wheels Program are just a few examples. These represent commitments the congregation has made to enhance the daily quality of life of seniors in our New York and River Vale facilities as well as in the centers of seniors being cared for through our Holocaust Education Center at Center program. In discussing why the Elly Kleinman Americare Family was conferring this special honor on his congregation for its commitment to our seniors, Rabbi David indicated “you shouldn’t be honoring us, but rather we should together be celebrating the successes we have all accomplished. The Centers’ success is our success as a community.” Rabbi went on to paraphrase from Pirkei Avot, Ethics of Our Fathers, by saying that “the reward for a mitzvah is the mitzvah itself.”
Cantor Israel Singer breaks out in a wide smile when he talks about being a regular visitor to residents in both Holocaust Education Center facilities — talking, singing — since we opened the doors. “I share many special relationships with residents…they are like family to me…and me to them.”
Steve Leeman, a member of Central Synagogue’s board, has been participating in the Shabbat Minyan Group that has been visiting the Holocaust Education Center at New York since the program’s initiation in 2009. He spoke of how “members feel instant gratification, and understand the responsibility and importance of a community helping others (the elderly) feel that they are still an important part of our community.”
For over eight years Tammy Ween, Central Synagogue’s Director of Youth and Family Programs, has coordinated monthly projects such as game nights, arts and crafts, and the delivery of Mishloach Manot to residents for Purim. “These are a special group of kids who are close to their own families and have a true appreciation and compassion for the special relationships they share with residents.
The individuals that make up the kehillah of Central Synagogue set an example for the entire Jewish community in helping the Elly Kleinman Americare Companies to provide an environment of Yiddishkeit, dignity, happiness and feeling of community inclusion for our residents. Without a doubt, our residents are the true eneficiaries of this altruism.
This tribute we bestow is the first time that the Kleinman Holocaust Education Center has honored one of our community’s congregations and underscores the theme of our evening — that caring is truly magical.