Tradition of giving continues at Jewish Geriatric Services |
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January 9, 2011
LONGMEADOW — More than 70 local volunteers joined patients and residents at Jewish Geriatric Services (JGS), a non-profit, all-faith, elder care facility, on Dec. 25, 2011, continuing a time-honored tradition of giving.
In its early days, Jewish volunteers came to the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home to relieve the Christian staff of their duties so that they could be home with their families.
“Mensch” in Yiddish means a stand up person, a person of integrity and high character. JGS has appreciated the efforts of its “Honorable Menschen” volunteers, who work at the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home and Ruth’s House Assisted Living facility, for more than two decades.
Though the volunteers are no longer able to take over professional responsibilities, they still come to JGS to visit with residents, lend a hand with non-clinical tasks, and lead worship services and other activities. While the majority of volunteers are Jewish, each year JGS has seen more Christian volunteers take time from their celebrations to spend time with the patients and residents.
“‘Honorable Menschen Day’ was again a rousing success,” Sheryl Okun, volunteer coordinator, said. “It is a feel-good day for both the volunteers and the residents.”
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