A World of Jewish Joy Right Here at Home
When the S’firot Foundation notified Jewish Pavilion Senior Services (JPSS) at the beginning of 2026 that we would receive a two-year grant proudly supported through the S’firot Foundation to expand cultural programming in the 40 senior-living communities we work with, I felt enthusiastic but also a bit nervous.
As a program director for JPSS, I was excited to bring A World of Jewish Joy to the seniors I serve. But I also knew the grant meant lots of scheduling, planning, evaluating, and uncertainty about which activities would resonate most.
Nancy Ludin, CEO of JPSS, and Vanessa Stein, assistant director, asked me and my fellow program directors (Sindi Ackman, Judy Appleton, and Lauren Sharfstein) if we were comfortable taking on the extra workload. We all immediately agreed because we understood the grant would bring a new level of Jewish joy to Central Florida seniors, and that brings us joy, too.
Our expanded programming pillars now include:
- Nosh & Nostalgia: Explorations of Jewish culinary traditions through food demonstrations, tastings, and shared memories of family recipes
- Passport to Jewish Life: Armchair travel programs introduce Jewish communities around the world via photos, storytelling, and discussion of cultural practices
- Tidbits of Torah: Short, accessible lessons in Jewish values and wisdom, followed by discussion and reflection
- Creative Connections: Hands-on arts and crafts activities encouraging self-expression and social interaction
- Jewpardy: Interactive trivia about Jewish life, history, and traditions through fun group participation
- Oy to Joy: Jewish jokes, storytelling, and comedy fostering laughter, social bonding, and emotional well-being
- Sing (or Dance) & Schmooze: Music programs with live performances, sing-alongs, and joyful group experiences
We began sharing the grant programs with seniors in June. After learning that Maxine Schackman, one of our residents, had been the director of the largest online archive of Jewish music in the world, I asked if we could share her work at a Sing & Schmooze program. Not only did Maxine agree, but she also gave an interactive, musical presentation that everyone loved (you can learn more about Maxine and her archive project on page 34). It was such a hit that I shared it with another senior community, as well. I also enjoyed creating a Jewpardy game, teaching about Ashkenazi herbal traditions and making tea, and painting Havdalah spice boxes with seniors. The other program directors have designed creative programs around food and even celebrated Hanukkah in July!
Sindi, Judy, Lauren, and I love seeing residents share their hidden talents, memories, and passions while discovering some of our own. The new programming has shed light on the seniors’ personalities and experiences in a whole new way. I’ve learned which participants are artistic, musical, knowledgeable about Torah and tradition, willing to try a new food, talented at trivia, and open to sharing their life stories. Several non-Jewish residents have been attending the programs to learn more about their Jewish friends and neighbors, too.
Evaluations – which program directors conduct at one another’s events – have been overwhelmingly positive, with participants sharing their enjoyment and asking for more activities. The evaluations have allowed us to see one another shine outside of monthly staff meetings, training, or fundraising events and helped us bond as program directors. The S’firot Foundation grant has also given us the opportunity to swap strategies, see what worked well, and discuss ways to improve our programming. And I’m happy to say my initial nervousness about the extra scheduling, planning, and evaluating has been replaced with satisfaction in knowing we are enhancing seniors’ lives with Jewish joy.
Emily Raij is a program director for Jewish Pavilion Senior Services, a writer for J Life, and a children’s book author.