JSDD

Welcome to JSDD’s Zoom group Shabbat celebration!  This experience has become a social, at-home Sabbath experience that is enhanced each week by our very own Judaic Coordinator, Hagit Oren.  Rachel, happily, began Shabbat with lighting the candles and reciting the blessing.  Next, Mark was proud to be asked to bless the grape juice/wine for the Kiddush. All the participants together made the Hamotzi blessing over the challah, which is a very popular ritual of Shabbat for our residents. Hagit has created a custom each week to ask the question “What did you enjoy the most about your past week?”  Kevin jumped right in responding he appreciated being with his family for Thanksgiving and that prompted another resident to say she […]

Story by Monica Schneider-Brewer The WAE Center has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the birthday of resident and member Scott R. Each November Scott’s parents provide a beautiful Thanksgiving Feast to the members and staff, bring a huge cake…and we all celebrate Scott. Sadly, Scott passed away this year. In his memory, Scott’s parents arranged for a lunch to be enjoyed at all the JSDD residences and at the homes of WAE Center members, for a “Covid-Friendly” gathering. On November 24th, more than 50 people joined via Zoom for a celebration of Scott’s life. Members spoke, wrote poetry, sang, and created artwork to share their recollections of a young man who had a big impact on this community.  Scott was […]

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 […]