Inside CJE Winter 2023

CJE has long had a rabbi on staff, for residents who benefit from a spiritual connection, as well as to teach, offer pastoral services, and support Jewish values in all areas of the organization. Since 2016, Rabbi Michelle Stern, a board-certified chaplain, has been the rabbi in residence. She teaches and leads services, and supports the community in a myriad of ways. “We serve the holistic health of clients and residents, in connecting them with what are sources of meaning for them,” she says. “In doing that, we are living the mission because we are thinking about how we work with people, giving people Kavod-respect and dignity for their path in life.”

Recently, you may have seen a student rabbi in and around CJE. Josh Nelson, currently a fifth-year student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA, is spending most of their final year of rabbinical studies at CJE, to learn, teach, and support the community. This new position will enable CJE Spiritual and Religious Life to lend even more emotional support to older adults under the CJE umbrella.

Josh arrived just before Rosh Hashanah, and quickly threw themself into the mix. So far, they have led High Holy Day services at Tamarisk NorthShore, the first time that it has had an in-person leader for High Holy Days since its opening three years ago. They’ve also led Friday night Shabbat services at Tamarisk and Kiddush at Friend Center for Memory Care, and teach, planning multiple class themes around scripture and holidays. They will be teaching classes each month at both Tamarisk and Weinberg Community throughout the year.

Besides teaching and leading prayer, Josh will be tending to residents’ spiritual needs in other ways as well. “I’ll be spending some time doing sort of chaplain/pastoral care, moments of being present and in conversation with people, listening to them, their stories and their needs,” they say.

Josh, who comes from downstate Illinois originally, will be in residence at CJE until May 2024. After they finish their studies, they hope to return to the Midwest permanently, in a congregational role.

In 2023, My Go-To Place opened at Village Center, one of CJE’s affordable housing residences. The concept, to engage people in activities while providing opportunities to socialize and make new friends, grew from there, into a new learning space, where seniors could go for lectures, field trips, classes, discussions and other group activities. 

“My Go-To Place was created to address all the domains of wellness for older adults, including social, physical, spiritual, and cognitive,” says Catherine Samatas, Director of Engagement and Innovative Programming. “We discovered early, one thing to focus on was peer group formation. Seniors who were coming, many were isolated, [and] didn’t really have a group of friends,” she adds. Programming is supported in part by the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund.  

Prior to the pandemic, My Go-To Place was a partnership between Niles Township and CJE, and programming was held at Niles Township Government Building. When communal spaces were shut down, My Go-To Place transferred much of its programming online within two weeks and named this iteration CJE Cyber Club. It was able to connect with seniors and help them access it so they could continue exercising and building relationships, and attendance grew dramatically. Online programs included docent-led virtual tours, art history and discussion, music and singing, exercise and movement classes, a book club and craft classes.  

Once public spaces reopened, My Go-To Place resumed in-person programming, but also kept CJE Cyber Club active to accommodate older adults who have grown to prefer it or who cannot attend in-person programming.  

What’s more, My Go-To Place has expanded significantly. In-person programming takes place in Skokie at Village Center on Monday through Thursday for building residents and is open to all on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Activities range from exercise classes to visits from Lyric Opera artists to suburban symphony outings to a wide range of crafting activites. My Go-To Place has a Technology Lab, to help participants become more adept at using a variety of devices from iPads to sewing machines, as well as a lounge, which invites informal social interaction.   

My Go-To Place has also come to the city, in partnership with Anshe Emet Synagogue in Lakeview. Programming there is monthly, and open to all. So far these activities include a speed friending event, an artist/author talk, and a bus tour around the city, narrated by a docent. Programming at Anshe Emet is supported by a grant from the Daniel and Karen Kales Lee Family Foundation.  

To learn more about My Go-To Place, visit community.engagement@cje.net. You can also register by phone at 773.681.7514. 

Weinberg Community for Senior Living, which encompasses Gidwitz Place for Assisted Living and The Friend Center for Memory Care, opened in 1996. It became the first licensed assisted living community in Illinois. Recently, Gidwitz Place received a well-earned facelift. The common areas on the first floor of the building were renovated and refreshed, including the dining room, the bistro, the library, and the sitting areas. Today they are bright, cheery spaces with up-to-date furniture and artwork. The front entryway was redesigned and outfitted with a new, enhanced security system.

Since Gidwitz opened its doors, senior living has been studied extensively, and much more information exists today about how to make buildings more welcoming and accessible to older adults. The renovation focused on making alterations that would enhance the experience of the residents, keeping safety, aesthetics, and good lighting in mind. “The residents and families absolutely love the renovation,” says Jennifer Weininger, Executive Director of Weinberg Community for Senior Living. “They’re enjoying walking around, looking at the new, beautiful artwork, furniture, and artwork. The space with the new fireplace and comfy seating, is a great place to visit with family and friends.”

CAPTION: Jennifer Weininger, Executive Director Weinberg Community and John Palacio Caballero, Director of Dining at Gidwitz Place

Gidwitz Place contains 125 apartments, ranging in size from one to two bedrooms. The community has numerous amenities, including full board with three Kosher meals per day, an in-house beauty salon, personal care and laundry services, numerous classes, excursions and social events, and local transportation. For those who need extra support during the day, the Gidwitz Plus program provides additional attention and services.

The renovation was underwritten by two generous foundations, the Joseph L and Emily K Gidwitz Memorial Foundation and the Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation. The Gidwitz Foundation has been fundamental to Gidwitz Place since its establishment, and the Sherman Foundation has been a part of CJE for many decades. We are extremely grateful for their continued support.

CAPTION: Leonard Worcek, Stephanie Smerling and Dan Fagin

For more information about Gidwitz Place, or to set up a tour for yourself or a loved one, visit weinbergcommunity.net or call 847.374.0500.

We are grateful to McGrath Evanston Subaru for selecting us again as one of their “Hometown Charity” partners for Subaru’s Share the Love event. Staff from McGrath Evanston and CJE kicked off the event by helping to deliver meals to local residents. It brought such joy to visit with our clients and hear more about how impactful this service is.