Dena Kevelson

Story by Jessica Goldstein The Shabbat Celebration this week began with everyone joining in to chant the blessing over the candles. Mark led the blessings for the grape juice and the Challah this week. The torah portion this week, “Vayechi” is the final portion in the book of Genesis. Joseph promises his father, Jacob that he will bury him in Canaan rather than in Egypt. On his deathbed, Jacob blesses his grandchildren and each of his sons who go one to become the twelve tribes of Israel. After Jacob’s death, Joseph assures his brothers that he has forgiven them for everything that they have done in the past.   As the evening wound down, Alicia shared that she is flying […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein The Heidi Art Gallery was full of smiles, laughs, greeting friends and air hugs. On December 16th, after a hiatus last year, JSDD hosted the annual holiday party for the Residential Staff.                 The beautiful and versatile gallery was festive with decorations and holiday music, but it was the art of the WAE Center members that shined. For many of the Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) it was their first time in the new JSDD building. The staff enjoyed a delicious catered meal. There were tours of the new building and lots of catching up with colleagues and friends some had not seen in person for quite some time.   […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein This week brought another beautiful, bright Shabbat celebration. After the prayers were said and the candles lit, everyone was eager to share highlights from their week. Rachel shared that she enjoyed being home with her housemates. Daniel is looking forward to New Year’s Eve and planning to stay up late. Kevin is looking forward to going to see his family for Christmas. In this week’s torah portion, Vayigash Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. They are worried that the shock of hearing their brother is alive and well to Jacob (who is now 130 years old) might kill him. They break the news to him gently and he is overjoyed. He asks G-d for permission […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein This week has been wonderful. There were Zoom celebrations to light the candles each night of Hanukkah. We learned that the word in Hebrew for candle is “Ner”.   The tables were decorated for Hanukkah this week and we learned YouTube is a great resource for learning how to prepare latkes! Everyone has really been enjoying the latkes this week with applesauce and sour cream. Rachel explained that the holiday is the festival of lights. Ralph shared that Hanukkah is time to celebrate miracles. He believes that the universe will have many more miracles if we all remember to be kind to one another. Stacy C. said that in order to receive kindness and respect, you have […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein Right off the heels of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah began on Sunday evening November 28, 2021. There was a lot of excitement and warmth that could be felt over Zoom. Todd said all three blessings to start the Hanukkah celebration. The first and second blessings are said each night of Hanukkah and in which G-d commands us to light the Hanukkah candles and the second honors G-d who performed marvelous deeds for our ancestors. The third blessing is only performed on the first night of Hanukkah (or the first of any celebration or holiday), the Shehecheyanu which thanks G-d for sustaining us to reach this season.  After the blessings, Todd shared how happy he is to be celebrating […]