For the latest news on how we’re responding to COVID-19, read more here:
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March 3, 2021
Leavitt Family Jewish Home Family Feedback
One of top priorities throughout the pandemic has been to keep our residents engaged – and happy. Although the state guidelines required us to keep our residents apart, our team worked hard to create activities that unified us and provided a sense of cohesiveness. Families have been able to see their loved one through FaceTime… View Article
February 25, 2021
JGS Caregiver Support Group is Back!
Back by popular demand, the JGS Caregiver Support Group will once again be held at JGS. Under the supervision of facilitator Mary-Anne Schelb, the group will offer resident families as well as members of the local community advice and strategies on caregiving. Until the group can return to in-person gatherings, the Caregiver Support Group will… View Article
February 11, 2021
February’s Message from Adam Berman, President of Legacy Lifecare
Dear Residents and Families, I am thrilled to let you know that over 90% of our residents and about 2/3 of our regular staff members have received the COVID-19 vaccination to date. We expect this number to increase as we continue our vaccinations clinics throughout the month of February. This is a tremendous milestone in… View Article
February 8, 2021
Devorah Jacobson Honored as a Healthcare Hero of Western Massachusetts – A Program of Healthcare News and Business West
On January 14th, our own Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, chaplain and director of spiritual life at JGS Lifecare, was among the recipients of the esteemed 2020 Healthcare Heroes Award, a program of Healthcare News and Business West magazines. In the words of Susan Kimball Halpern, vice president of development and communications, who nominated Rabbi Devorah for… View Article
February 5, 2021
JGS Lifecare Holds Second COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
On Sunday January 31st and Monday February 1st JGS Lifecare held its second vaccine clinic, offering residents and staff the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. At the Leavitt Family Jewish Home 110 residents and 126 staff members received the vaccine. Uvalyn Davis has been caring for residents at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home for over 23 years. “I love… View Article
February 2, 2021
January 14, 2021
Meet Robert Whitten, Executive Director of Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Rob Whitten fully concedes that he likes to fix things. In fact, when a repair is needed at his home in Suffield, Connecticut, he inevitably tries to fix the problem himself. Yet he is the first to admit it “doesn’t always work out so well.” Fortunately, his day job as Executive Director of Leavitt Family… View Article
January 12, 2021
January’s Message from Adam Berman, Legacy Lifecare President
Dear Residents and Staff, I felt a range of emotions as the COVID-19 vaccines got underway. Certainly, this was the first time I have witnessed people excited to get a shot! I also felt an enormous amount of pride upon seeing, firsthand, the enthusiasm, cooperation and spirit of our staff and residents at the vaccination… View Article
January 11, 2021
JGS Holds 2-Day COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for Residents and Staff
JGS Lifecare recently held a 2-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic for residents and staff across its family of services. “This was an emotional and historic two days for JGS,” commented Rob Whitten, Executive Director of The Leavitt Family Jewish Home. “We are especially proud of our 103 staff members who have made history over these past… View Article
January 4, 2021
JGS Lifecare Kicks Off “Superheroes Saving Lives” Campaign
Nonprofit Thanks Employees For Their Extraordinary Dedication During Pandemic LONGMEADOW, MA (January 4, 2021) — JGS Lifecare, one of New England’s leading nonprofit healthcare systems serving seniors and their families, unveiled its new Superheroes Saving Lives campaign. Geared to its dedicated and loyal frontline staff, the light-hearted campaign focuses upon serious subjects: thanking employees for… View Article
December 24, 2020
Wolf Swamp Elementary School’s Brownie Troop 65110 Visits Ruth’s House
On December 23rd, Longmeadow’s Wolf Swamp Elementary School’s Brownie Troop 65110 delivering hand-made holiday greeting cards to the residents at Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence. The troop also stood outdoors and sang holiday songs that residents enjoyed through the window. Residents and staff enjoyed the holiday cheer!
November 30, 2020
JGS Lifecare Volunteer, Janice Lawrence, Found a Special Way of Giving!
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – People are smiling as they visit Sosin Center for Rehabilitation at JGS Lifecare in Longmeadow, MA. Carefully placed in the stone beds lining the walkway into the building, and carefully balanced on exterior window sills, are splashes of color and glimmers of light, in the form of brightly colored painted rocks. Rocks… View Article
Family Update from Adam Berman, President
Dear Residents and Families, With the summer gone and fall well under way, we wanted to provide you with an update on our organization and our continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, our strict adherence to MA DPH and CDC guidelines, and your cooperation, we… View Article
October 14, 2020
Sam Baah, Care Manager at Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence
Sam was born in Ghana and came to the US in Dec. 1999. There was an immigration lottery at the time and he won the lottery and was able to bring 3 of his 4 daughters: Priscilla, Esther and Christabelle. His wife Teresa would join him many years later along with his daughter Ophelia. Sam… View Article
October 6, 2020
Donnette Barnett, CNA at Wernick Adult Day Health Care
Donnette was born and raised in Springfield, along with her sister Kim. She graduated from Commerce High School in 1983 and gave birth to her son Warren Jr. in 1984. She and her husband Warren Sr. have known each other practically their entire lives and they married in 1990. After staying home full-time for a… View Article
September 29, 2020
Ava Wills, RN at Spectrum Home Health & Hospice
Ava was born and raised in the 16 Acres Neighborhood of Springfield along with her 2 brothers Michael and John. She graduated from Classical High School, and then, following her dream to become a doctor, went to Springfield College for 1 year, to take pre-med courses. But a bout with mono forced her to drop… View Article
September 22, 2020
Christine Lunsford, RN, BSN, Clinical Reimbursement Coordinator, Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Christine was born and raised in Springfield along with her older brother Michael. She graduated from Central High School in 1996 and then pursued an education to become a nurse. She has always enjoyed caring for others and being a nurse was a goal of hers since early on. She graduated from STCC in 1999… View Article
September 10, 2020
Deana Carnegie, Dietary Aid, Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Deana was born and raised in Jamaica to a large family. She was one of 9 children, with 3 brothers and 5 sisters. She graduated from Newell High School and then became a hairdresser. She was employed for many years as a hairdresser and during that time she married and had 1 son, Craig who… View Article
September 2, 2020
Carmen Figueroa, Lead Care Manager at Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence
Carmen was born and raised on Central Street in Springfield to a family that included 2 sisters and 2 brothers. Although her childhood dream was to be a mailperson and work in the post office, she attended Putnam High School and trained to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. After completing her CNA license requirements, she… View Article
August 26, 2020
Uvalyn Davis, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Uvalyn was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She was part of a large family, as one of 8 brothers and sisters. She attended St. Andrew’s Technical High School, studying to be an accountant. After her schooling, she worked at several grocery stores and then a shoe store and in 1992, came to the US…. View Article
August 18, 2020
Tony (Antoinette) Moseley, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Tony was born and raised in Springfield, along with her 3 sisters and 1 brother. She graduated from East Longmeadow High School and started working at Spectrum Home Healthcare as a Home Health Aide in July 1996. After a few years, she was working on the New York unit of the Jewish Nursing Home, as… View Article
August 12, 2020
Dianne Modesta, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Dianne was born on the island of Trinidad, located in the West Indies. In 1983 she and her brother came to Springfield to join her parent, who had previously come seeking new work opportunities. She was 8 years old at the time. Dianna also has family living in Canada and England. She now has two… View Article
August 3, 2020
Virtual Lunch and Learn Series at Ruth’s House Assisted Living Residence , Program Announcements
Friday, August 21st, 2020: Beyond the Blues – Aging & Depression Presenter Dr. Stuart Anfang, Medical Director of the Memory Disorder Program at Baystate Medical Center Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020: Spirituality and Aging – Finding Meaning & Purpose as we Age Presenter Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, Director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare LONGMEADOW, Mass. –… View Article
Susan Halpern, Vice President of Development and Communications
Born in Springfield, Susan was raised in Longmeadow along with her 3 siblings: Jim, Wendy and Billy. She graduated from Longmeadow High School, the University of Vermont, and Western New England School of Law. Susan practiced law for 10 years, first at the offices of Cohen Rosenthal and then at Cooley Shrair. In 1985, she… View Article
July 27, 2020
Zuzanna Lakomska, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Zuzanna was born in Poland and moved to the United States in 1990. While in Poland she worked for seventeen years as a kindergarten teacher. She and her husband Julian, “happily married for forty years,” have a son Jacob, who is thirty seven, a daughter Natalia who is thirty, and two grandchildren, Matthew five and… View Article
July 21, 2020
Beth Ann Kalinko, CNA Sosin Center for Rehabilitation
Beth Ann Kalinko was born and raised in Springfield and that is where she still resides. She has one brother, Gregory. She graduated from Classical High School and then went to work at American Cyanamid, a West Springfield company that made Breck products. Beth worked on the production line for a while and then went… View Article
July 15, 2020
Jessica Brown, CNA Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Jessica Brown was born and raised in Springfield. She graduated from Putnam Vocational High School and that’s where she was first connected to JGS. In order to get certified as a CNA, she came to JGS as part of her school training, and she officially started working here on June 21, 1993 just 11 days… View Article
July 10, 2020
Sharon Ritchie, Director of Food Service
Sharon was born and raised in Longmeadow, MA. She started working at JGS Lifecare just prior to her 16th birthday in 1991. She was hired part-time as a dietary aide in the kitchen of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. After her graduation from Longmeadow High School in 1993, Sharon started working full-time. In addition, she… View Article
July 9, 2020
Resident Engagement in a Quarantine Environment
LONGMEADOW, MA (July 2020) –Social distancing requirements in nursing homes and assisted living residences present their own unique set of challenges during this pandemic. To address this, the staff at JGS Lifecare have been working hard to make sure the residents are engaged, active – and happy. “We have implemented a variety of creative activities… View Article
July 3, 2020
Leavitt Family Jewish Home – Outdoor Visits by Family and Friends Bring Great Joy
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – “It is wonderful to see my children, they are the love of my life!” exclaimed Sandy Novitch, a resident at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. Debbie and Wayne brought flowers and chocolates and the family exchanged air hugs and kisses. “One day we are going to hug!” smiled Sandy. There is a… View Article
Ana Guzman, CNA Wernick Adult Day Health Care
Born in Puerto Rico, Ana came to this country at the age of 12 with her mom and 2 brothers. They settled in Springfield, with an uncle nearby. She attended Chestnut Middle School and then returned to Puerto Rico to live with her father. Three years later, Anna returned to Springfield, earned her GED, and… View Article
June 29, 2020
Vivian Hatwood, Leavitt Family Jewish Home Kitchen Manager/Assistant Director
Vivian was born in Worcester, MA and came to Springfield at the age of 4. She was educated in the Springfield public schools and graduated from Putnam Vocational High School, with an emphasis in fashion design. She soon began working at Buxton’s Leather Factory, followed by several years at the US Postal Service. Vivian and… View Article
Choosing an Assisted Living Residence Virtually
How do you find the right assisted living for a family member when in-person tours are not an option? At Ruth’s House in Longmeadow, the assisted living residence operated by JGS Lifecare, virtual tours, live chats and Zoom meetings help facilitate the process. “Virtual tours are an excellent way to assess the ambience, activities, amenities,… View Article
June 23, 2020
Cheri Ludwiczak, Chef at Michael’s Cafe
Cheri was born and raised in South Deerfield. Her grandparents had a farm there where they grew “everything: corn, tobacco, potatoes, as well as pigs and chickens.” She traces her interest in culinary arts to her experiences watching her grandmother make traditional Polish foods. “We’d go there for Sunday supper every week,” she said, “and… View Article
JGS Staff Thank You Ad
June 19, 2020
Violeta Delgado, Housekeeper at The Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Violeta is a member of the Housekeeping team at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home. She joined the team 3 years ago, after working for over 20 years at Vibra in Springfield. Violeta was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She first came to the US to help care for family member. She liked it here,… View Article
June 15, 2020
Jesus Carattini, Maintenance Department at The Leavitt Family Jewish Home
Jesus Carattini is a very personable, friendly and valued member of the JGS Maintenance Department. Since arriving, 3 ½ years ago, he has taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility and has learned a great deal. “It has been a lot of on the job training in many new areas ” he says, “like in… View Article
June 5, 2020
Maria Osorio, Housekeeper at The Leavitt Family Jewish
Maria came to the US in 1994 from Puerto Rico. ”I didn’t understand any English” she shared. She took classes in English at STCC and continues to focus on improving her facility with the language. Maria has three children: a daughter aged 26, as son 25, and a younger daughter who is 10. She also… View Article
June 2, 2020
Resuming Outdoor Family Visitation
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) have recently released guidance on how to safely begin family visitation with our residents. We are in the process of developing a plan on how best to implement brief, supervised visits outside our residences, while keeping the strict protocols for infection… View Article
JGS Lifecare Utilizes Best Practice Deep Cleaning Techniques
What do the Boston Red Sox, and other professional teams have in common with JGS Lifecare? Their deep cleaning procedures! Professional sports teams, along with hospitals, medical centers, airlines, country clubs, mass transit and government agencies are using the same new deep cleaning technique as JGS Lifecare. “Preventing the spread of COVID-19 hinges on good… View Article
June 1, 2020
Letters of Love – Beautiful Expressions of Compassion and Care
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Like all families, Leigh McGrale Vengco and her three daughters, Lily, Grace and Teia were home socially distancing and trying to adjust to the new reality forced upon them by the COVID-19 pandemic. Leigh is a clinical social worker who has worked in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care units. Hearing about… View Article
May 28, 2020
May 28, 2020 – Family Letter
Dear Residents and Families, Two months since we first began our fight with this terrible virus, we strongly believe we have weathered through the worst and can begin to look towards the future. As Massachusetts begins its phased approach to safely reopen the state, we too have moved away from crisis-mode and have started to… View Article
May 8, 2020
May 8, 2020 – Family Letter
Dear Residents and Families, We write to you today with a new sense of optimism. Data for Massachusetts is starting to show improvement in our broader communities due to everyone’s hard work to stay home and socially distance. We too are seeing signs that our continuing efforts to stop the spread of the virus in… View Article
May 4, 2020
Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, Director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare, Supporting JGS Staff during Unprecedented Times
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare, has witnessed a great deal of suffering, stress and loss in the past six weeks, unleashed by the COVID-19 virus. She has been especially concerned with the stress she has seen shouldered by JGS Lifecare staff, who on a daily… View Article
April 30, 2020
April 30, 2020 – Family Letter
Dear Residents and Families, More than a month into the COVID-19 pandemic, our team has continued to work through adversity to meet the commitment of care we make to you and your loved ones. We, along with the rest of the world, are also getting a better grasp of this crisis. While the impact to… View Article
April 29, 2020
Community Sponsors Meals of Gratitude for Staff at JGS Lifecare Supporting Healthcare Workers and Local Restaurants
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Over the last few weeks, in a generous show of support, several local organizations and restaurants have initiated fundraising efforts to sponsor Meals of Gratitude for the staff at JGS Lifecare. This outpour of community support has a double benefit, supporting our caregivers while also supporting our local restaurants that are struggling… View Article
April 27, 2020
April 20, 2020
April 20, 2020 – Family Letter
Dear Residents and Families, As Massachusetts experiences what experts believe to be the peak for new COVID-19 cases, senior care living organizations have become the focus of attention given the highly vulnerable population we serve. We share in the immense grief felt across our industry and broader communities as we have also experienced the loss… View Article
April 16, 2020
A Unique Anniversary Celebration Under Unusual Circumstances
20 decorated cars drove by Ruth’s House on Wednesday, April 15th to help this couple celebrate their 75th anniversary without breaking social distancing requirements. It was a wonderful display of people coming together to support one another in a challenging time! Below is a thank you note written by the daughter of the couple. The… View Article
April 10, 2020
April 10, 2020 – Family Letter
To Our Families, We write to you now possibly during the most difficult time in our lives. Never in the 108-year history of JGS Lifecare have we faced a situation like this one. Despite all our best efforts and preparation, the COVID-19 pandemic facing the world has found its way within the walls of the… View Article
April 2, 2020
April 2, 2020 – Response to Press
From the office of Adam Berman, President of JGS Lifecare: JGS Lifecare is committed to doing everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to our residents and staff. We strictly maintain and follow effective infection control procedures as mandated by state and federal regulations and have made many additional changes including instituting a… View Article
March 31, 2020
Free Groceries Feed the Spirit of JGS Staff A Display of Gratitude and Support
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Thanks to a very generous donation from the Perlman family, owners of Ocean State Job Lots, the staff at JGS LIfecare were treated to free groceries, in an expression of gratitude for their commitment to the care of our frail elders, especially in these unprecedented times. Over the course of the past… View Article
March 26, 2020
COVID-19 Response FAQs
At JGS Lifecare, the safety and well-being of our residents and staff is our number one priority. Please know that we are carefully monitoring all aspects related to COVID-19 and have implemented the recommendations and guidelines given to us by state and federal health experts. This page is intended to provide additional information to residents,… View Article
March 20, 2020
JGS Lifecare on the Offensive to Protect our Residents from COVID-19
Dear Friends: The COVID-19 pandemic has faced us with unprecedented and unpredictable challenges, requiring constant monitoring, vigilance and new policy implementation. Our staff is working diligently, in collaboration with our affiliated organizations in Chelsea and Peabody, to meet these challenges as they unfold. The safety and well-being of the residents and clients entrusted to our care is our… View Article
Event Cancellations Due to COVID-19
In compliance with the various prohibitions on large gatherings, and to discourage visitations to our campus, we have cancelled the following community events: Bubbies Passover Catering Passover Seders at JNH and Ruth’s House – Wednesday, April 8th Easter Services at JNH and Ruth’s House – Sunday, April 12th JGS Winner’s Circle Passover Dinner – Monday,… View Article
COVID-19 Social and Spiritual Resources
Articles. Self-Care and Play, Podcasts, Meditation, Applications, Prayers and Spiritual Practices
March 19, 2020
Elder Care in The Face of Covid-19 by Michelle Woodbrey of 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors
It was two years ago this summer that my mom and dad moved into an independent living community. My dad had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s ten years earlier, and while he was (and is) still doing relatively well, they were eager to make the change while they could both still enjoy the advantages and features of… View Article
March 18, 2020
Wernick Adult Day Health Care Temporarily Closing on March 20
In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, we are temporarily closing Wernick Adult Day Health Care as of March 20, 2020. Please know we will work closely with families on transition plans. Our focus right now is preventing the spread of this virus and keeping our participants safe.
Family Letter
To Our Dear Residents and Families, Especially during this difficult time, the health and safety of our residents remain our top priority. We want to assure you that JGS Lifecare is monitoring all aspects related to COVID-19 extremely closely. With guidance from state and federal health experts, we are following their recommendations as well as… View Article
March 13, 2020
JGS No Visitor Protocol
To our Residents, Families, and Community: In an effort to further protect our residents, who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID‐19, our facility will be implementing a strict NO VISITOR protocol effective at 7PM, Thursday, March 12. We find this policy necessary to prevent an individual possibly infected with COVID‐19, without symptoms, from… View Article
March 9, 2020
Statement about Coronavirus
To our Residents and Family Members: In light of recent developments regarding the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) in the United States, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the strategies we will be implementing to keep our residents, staff, and visitors safe. We have implemented protocols to address this… View Article
Community Appreciation
May 29, 2020
Our sincere gratitude to members of the Indian Association of Greater Springfield (IAGS) and SEWA International USA for supporting our staff through your donation of 500 N-95 masks and 200 surgical masks! A special thanks to the Youth Club of IAGS, for your cards of encouragement, you are inspirational! Our staff is the heart and soul of JGS! Your support during these challenging times is so greatly appreciated!
Dr. Udaya Jagadeesan, Chief Medical Officer, accepts cards and PPE from members of the Indian Association of Greater Springfield Youth Club.
Dr. Rachana Singh, IAGS President, delivers 500 N-95 and 200 surgical masks to Rob Whitten, Administrator at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home.
May 15, 2020
Our heartfelt Thank You to the accounting firm of Burgess, Schultz & Robb, P.C. in East Longmeadow for sponsoring yesterday’s delicious Meal of Gratitude for our staff from HighBrow Wood Fired Kitchen + Bar of Northampton. Thank you Andrew Brow, the grilled chicken was delicious! This show of community support is greatly appreciated!
May 12, 2020
Our heartfelt Thank You to Sinai Temple and it’s supporters for the Meal of Gratitude sent today to all staff at JGS Lifecare on all shifts from The Grapevine. Thank you Liz and George for the delicious chicken, beer and veggie gyros and chips! This show of community support is greatly appreciated and lifts all staff spirits!