Spreading Good Cheer Throughout the Holiday Season

The holiday season has afforded us a great opportunity to find ways to celebrate with our residents, sharing laughter, camaraderie, and our gratitude for shared friendships.

Our November Birthday Party featured a lively and entertaining performance by Irving Lewis, who is a favorite of our residents. Along with the upbeat music, residents enjoyed freshly baked pies. There were smiles on everyone’s faces!

In honor of Veteran’s Day, residents from both the Leavitt Family Jewish Home and Sosin Center for Rehabilitation were joined by our local Veterans from Longmeadow Veteran Services. Homemade donuts and cider topped the menu. And for our monthly November Veteran’s gathering, Lena Vellturo, Longmeadow Director of Veteran’s Services, led an animated game of trivia.

This year, the annual variety show featured a Tribute to Broadway, an evening filled with fun, laughter, and AMAZING talent! Residents enjoyed assuming the characters from some well-known shows, such as The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music. Rehearsals were taken very seriously! The result was a festive evening of entertainment, featuring the Tin Man played by Ray Jorgensen; the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Regina Passo; the Cowardly Lion, played by Ron Gioiosi; and the scarecrow, played by our former van driver Don Kloss, to name only a few of the talented actors. The audience, including many family members, joined in the singing of If I Only Had a Brain. On a creative note, our Life Enrichment Staff took the liberty of performing My Favorite Things, substituting “aches and pains,” “glasses,” “wheelchairs” and other fun references to show the lighter side of aging. It was a night to remember!

Residents of both the Leavitt Family Jewish Home and Ruth’s House celebrated Hanukkah with cookie baking and candle lightings. Unfortunately, social gatherings had to be limited to prevent the spread of flu and infection, so celebrations moved to the nursing units where our Life Enrichment Staff continued to entertain and engage residents. For Christmas, staff spread holiday cheer by delivering bagels and cream cheese in the morning, and holiday cookies in the afternoon. Our activities carts offered puzzles, books and games designed to keep residents happy and engaged.

JGS staff marked the holidays with a November Annual JGS Lifecare Years of Service Celebration and a December Holiday Party, complete with a delicious holiday meal, raffle items and fun giveaways.

Residents, staff members, families and friends ushered in the New Year with special refreshments and treats. Here’s to a very happy and healthy 2024!