August 18, 2021

JGS Lifecare’s 40th Annual Frankel-Kinsler Highlights

A Classic Day of Tournaments Honoring the Memory of Seymour Frankel Rallies Wide Range of Support for the Care of our Elders

JGS Lifecare, a leading health care system serving seniors and their families, hosted its 40th Annual Frankel-Kinsler Classic Day of Tournaments at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow. Drawing more than 200 guests attracted to golf and card-playing tournaments, the event raised over $115,000 to support senior care in the Leavitt Jewish Home, Ruth’s House Assisted Living, Sosin Center for Rehabilitation, Wernick Adult Day Health Care, and Genesis House.

“We’re overwhelmed by the tremendous show of support from businesses and individuals throughout Western Massachusetts, said director of development Susan Halpern. “Event proceeds will enrich programming and services for the more than 400 people cared for each day across the JGS Lifecare family of services, as well as support staff skill and career advancement through the funding of educational scholarships.”

The August 16th event honored the memory of Seymour Frankel, who passed away on December 31st. Frankel, a stellar volunteer, was a founder of the Classic in 1981 –named originally for the Raymond and Herman Kinsler families and later for Frankel’s son Michael, a past Chairman of the JGS Board who died suddenly in 2013 at age 49.

Tournament Co-chair Jeff Grodsky underscored his great-uncle Seymour’s contributions: “He worked tirelessly for this organization and a number of organizations in town, and he touched everyone in a special way.” Past Board Chairman, Attorney Stephen Krevalin, paid tribute to Frankel who, like others of his generation, “shared an abiding and passionate commitment to care for our needy and our elderly, and in particular the Jewish Nursing Home of Western Massachusetts, now JGS Lifecare. The creation of the Kinsler golf classic 40 years ago was an incredibly important step to help us not only raise significant funds but also share our compelling story with so many. And while the Kinsler tournament raised countless funds for JGS, it is but a small fraction of the contribution and ultimate legacy of Seymour Frankel.”
Krevalin concluded, “In the Jewish tradition, we ask that the memory of the deceased be a blessing. There is no question that Seymour Frankel’s life was truly a blessing.”

After a touching photo slideshow, Past Board Chair Sue Kline presented an original poem highlighting Frankel’s many contributions — a particularly fitting tribute to a man known for penning poems on every special occasion. Scroll down to view the tribute slide show and poem.

Israel Schepps awarded tournament prizes and Richard Halpern announced raffle winners.

Event Sponsors include The Albert & Judith Goldberg Family Foundation; Harry Grodsky & Co, Inc.; The Lynn D. and Gilbert A. Haberman Family Fund at the Jewish Endowment Foundation, a division of the Jewish Federation of Western MA – on behalf of the Haberman, Katz, Webber families and Kittredge Equipment Co.; Steve and Georgianne Roberts; HUB Retirement & Wealth Management formerly Epstein Financial Services; Berkshire Bank; Alekman DiTusa LLC; Century Investment; CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP; Donna, Emma & Joely Frankel; Kaste Industrial Machine Sales, Inc.; Nancy, Jim, Jesse & Ben Pelletier; NEFCO; and ProCare LTC Pharmacy.

For a full list of supporters and to see photos of the picture-perfect day scroll down to the bottom of this post.

“As an organization whose majority of funding comes through Medicaid, the Frankel-Kinsler Classic is an enormously successful and fun way for us to engage the community to help provide fiscal resources for us to maintain our quality of care and enrich our programming,” commented Susan Halpern, director of development.

2021 Frankel-Kinsler Classic Golf Tournament Champions:

Low Gross – Vincent Guardioni, Anthony Guardioni, K. Cunningham, Jeff Denault
2nd Gross – Kevin Green, Darryl Beech, Dave Tabin, Dave Oleksak
Low Net – Mark Katz, Jerry Schreibstein, Andy Zolator, Ben Falk
2nd Net – Ryan Alekman, Rob DiTusa, Corrine Syson, Phil Phillips
3rd Net – David Ference, Joe Gozzi, Bruce Devlin, Mike Quinn
Closest to the Pin – (hole 3) John Enos; (hole 9) John Enos; (hole 13) Darryl Beech; (hole 18) Susanne Osofsky
Longest Drive – (hole 11) Scott Killyanski and Corrine Syson
Straightest Drive – (hole 5) Charlie Epstein

A Tribute to Seymour Frankel by Sue Kline

Seymour – the volunteer, arts maven, fashion pro
Seymour – the organizer, fundraiser, man on the go

Seymour acting in plays, tutoring youngsters in class
Seymour organizing bus trips to events at UMass

Big ideas drove him, but his eye for detail was sharp
So he’d comfortably adjust a gal’s poorly tied scarf.

Seymour tanned, dressed impeccably, sporting a smile
Plaid shirt, khakis, brown shoes – displaying just the right style,

Like Oprah, Madonna or Elvis of fame
Seymour was an icon known by just his first name

We here laud his assets – and there’s more – do you know it
Our dear Seymour was also an excellent poet

As friends traveled the world and had memorable times
He’d capture their adventures in lighthearted rhymes

And when at golf classic memorabilia we took a look
Found his ode of gratitude in the first program book!

His volunteer efforts abounded – that’s who Seymour was
Alzheimer’s, Red Cross, Rays of Hope– each was his cause

But the Home was his passion, his touch felt everywhere
Daily visits, support, guidance – ambassador extraordinaire.

Here he honed to perfection his fundraising skills
Through letters and phone calls – even selling daffodils

We celebrate Seymour’s achievements in every season
But the annual Golf Classic is today’s predominant reason

For, years ago Seymour and friends had the vision
To bring a grand golf event to robust fruition

Thanks to him and fellow founders comes our Frankel-Kinsler Classic
A day of fun, fundraising and bonding fantastic

So, with this poem, we are honoring the Home’s best friend
To cap off our tribute as it comes to an end.

Let’s toast one whose life’s mission was helping JGS be more
And raise our glasses together remembering our beloved Seymour!

Click here to view a slideshow honoring Seymour Frankel.

Click Here to view a PDF of the slideshow shared at the tournament listing all 2021 Event Supporters with pictures of prior tournaments.

Thank you to our In-Kind Donors. Please patronize them with your business!!

AC Produce
Attitudes by Tina at Ciao Bella Salon
bNapoli Italian
Bar Beauty at AltaModa
Batch Ice Cream
Brown’s Pet & Garden Store
Cal’s Wood Fire Grill & Wine Bar
Celery Stalk
Center Square Grill
David DiRico’s Golf Shop
Delaney’s Market Longmeadow
Great Horse
Fast Feet
Fazio’s
FL Roberts/Golden Nozzle
Fleet Feet
Four Seasons Wine and Liquor
Grapevine Restaurant
The Kitchen
Lacrosse Unlimited
Li’s Brothers
Longmeadow Package Store
Longmeadow Salon
Lululemon in Longmeadow
Margie Grodsky Pottery
Majestic Theater
Munich Haus
Ochoa
Pete’s Sweets
Quality Beverage
Riggios Pizza
Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters
Silvi Salon
Ski Haus
Sofia Italian Restaurant
Starbucks
Tandem Bagel
The Pizza Shop
The Shot Doctor – Dr. Steve Sobel
Tremblay Maison
Ume Asian Bistro Villa Napoletann
Visual Changes
And thank you to Jeff and Scott Grodsky for the donation of the 4 Red Sox Tickets!!