December 19, 2018

Barbara Binsky Honors Grandparents with Bequest

Barbara Binsky Bequest

Her Gift Supports Phase II of Project Transformation

By Susan Kimball Halpern, vice president of development and communications

In September 2008, I had the pleasure of a visit from Barbara Binsky, of blessed memory, who wanted to discuss a gift to JGS Lifecare. She was working on her estate plan and wanted to talk about leaving a percentage of her estate to JGS to honor her grandparents, Mary and Ben Albert. Barbara made her commitment and joined our Planned Giving Society, our Circle of Honor.

Barbara told me that her grandmother, Mary Albert, was one of the original founders of the home. She was one of 18 women who, back in the early 1900s, met in each other’s kitchens and discussed their vision for a place to house and care for their community’s elderly.

Barbara’s grandfather, Ben, joined the meetings as their scribe, as he was the only one able to write. From their discussions came plans to raise funds for the purchase of a home for just that purpose.

In 1912, that group of 19 went door-to-door through Springfield neighborhoods selling raffle tickets at ten cents apiece. They sold enough to establish the Daughters of Zion Home for the Aged at 67 Massasoit Street in Springfield.

Barbara Binsky took great pride in her grandparents’ role in establishing what is today JGS Lifecare. She was also grateful for the care JGS provided to her mother, Anna (Albert) Binsky, a resident in the home for five years in the 1990s.

Funding the Future

Now ten years later, with Barbara’s passing, JGS received a significant bequest from her estate. Through this bequest, Barbara continued her grandparents’ tradition by helping us evolve to meet the needs of our community’s elders.

We will use the funds to support Phase II of Project Transformation and to de-institutionalize care in the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. As part of the plan, we’ll renovate traditional nursing units to introduce households with warm and inviting residential features, and upgrade and refresh resident rooms to offer private sanctuaries for those who reside within.

Consider joining Barbara Binsky and so many others who have supported JGS in this special way; make a bequest and join our Circle of Honor. We recognize members on our beautiful wall of recognition and hold special events held in their honor.