JSDD News

Shabbat has become a reminder, at JSDD, of the purposefulness of the world and the role and responsibility each one of us plays through acts of kindness and meaningful relationships.  JSDD residents and guests have become accustom to welcoming the Sabbath weekly under the guidance of Hagit Oren, Judaic Coordinator.    It began this week as it always does, with the lighting of the candles by Rachel and was followed by Mark who blessed the wine/grape juice and said the Hamotzi over the challah. Hagit asked about the best part of their week and many answered how they look forward to the WAE to Connect virtual learning classes.  Another person said he felt fortunate to be with friends at the […]

Shabbat Gathering via Zoom – Friday, November 6, 2020 Judaic Coordinator, Hagit, welcomed Shabbat this week by introducing JSDD residents who delivered the prayers. Rachel recited the blessing over the candles, Aaron made Kiddush (blessing over grape juice/wine) and Kevin blessed the challah. Hagit’s lesson this week was learning about Mitzvot, Jewish rules or commandments covering a range of aspects of Jewish life.  The word “mitzvah” means commandment.  Hagit shared that it is a mitzvah to rest on Shabbat.  Several participants identified the mitzvot in which they engage by assisting their friends and housemates with chores and daily activities. Vibrant pictures of Israel were presented, and many expressed their interest to visit Israel. Shabbat songs brought a peaceful end to […]

  As Judaism’s most distinctive tradition, we observe the beginning of Shabbat before sundown each Friday through the completion of nightfall on Saturday.  On Friday, October 30th, as has become the tradition during the pandemic, the Sabbath was ushered in for JSDD residents via Zoom with the lighting of the candles, reciting the Kiddush (wine/grape juice) and the Ha Motzi (challah).  Judaic Coordinator, Hagit, asked, “how do you observe Shabbat?” Responses ranged from expressions of appreciation for spending time with loved ones to attending religious services via Zoom.  By far, however, gathering around the table for meals was the number one answer.  The participants all agreed that they look forward to the challah most of all.  This week, the group […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein Lori and Steven Klinghoffer have been friends of JSDD for many years and very active leaders in the MetroWest community. At a recent socially distanced birthday party they were introduced to a former Ringling Brothers Circus clown, “Krazy Kevin” Kraft. Sidelined like many others during the pandemic, Kevin was looking for a way to create some positive moments in these most unsettled times and his juggling, balancing act and humor proved to be just the prescription to help loved ones connect (at a safe distance) in a way that many have not been able to for months.   The Klinghoffers offered to bring that joy to the residents of JSDD’s homes and WAE Center members and […]

Shabbat Celebration – Friday, October 23, 2020 The Sabbath (Shabbat) is a day of peace, rest and reflection spent with family and friends. JSDD has developed a new tradition this year to warmly reach out to our community and observe the welcoming of Shabbat together via Zoom.  Effortlessly, this is directed by Hagit Oren, Judaica Coordinator who, each week, conveys her resourcefulness with the lessons she teaches. The rituals include reciting the prayers for lighting the candles, Kiddush (wine/grape juice), and HaMotzi (challah). This week’s lesson emerged from the Torah portion, Parashat Bereishit. This is the story of how G-d created the heavens and earth in six days and on the 7th day stopped working and rested.  It was Shabbat!  […]