HAPPENINGS a publication of WINTER/SPRING 2021 HONORING OUR SEACREST HEROES | PAGE 3 David Gilbert Chair, Board of Trustees San Diego As we begin the process of healing and getting back to some sense of Hebrew Homes normalcy since experiencing the global pandemic, we must remind ourselves Board of Trustees of what we have gone through, and where Seacrest is going. I have had the pleasure to serve on the Seacrest Village board for the last several years, and I David Gilbert am constantly overwhelmed by how special and caring our staff is. Chair Steven Ratner It’s been a little over a year since the pandemic began. At the time, we were in Chair Elect and Secretary the process of a major building upgrade to our dining and operating facilities. Jonathan Halberg The project immediately slowed down, and for a time even stopped completely, Past Chair and Treasurer for the protection of our staff and residents. With all the delays of this project, we are proud that the kitchen, dining facilities and all the equipment is fully Michael Dolinka Leo Eisenberg functional. We are still operating our services under strict COVID-19 guidelines. Len Gregory Robert Haimsohn With the majority of our staff and residents vaccinated, we are beginning to Larry Katz feel more hopeful. Watching our staff, whom we affectionately refer to as Suzanne Marcus heroes, step up this past year to protect our residents from both physical and Stanley Pappelbaum, MD mental health issues, is indescribable. Seacrest is a beautiful home made up of Jeffrey Platt Mona Platt wonderful human beings who truly care about the wellness of those they serve Gina Tapper in our community. Pam Ferris This past year has taken a toll on everyone. I am so proud of how Seacrest President/CEO reacted and performed during this time. Our standards related to the safety The Melvin Garb Foundation Presidential Chair and care of the residents and staff couldn’t have been any higher. Carl R. Measer, MBA As I conclude my term as Board Chair, I want to thank the rest of the board for Chief Operating Officer their service and to welcome Steven Ratner, the incoming Chair. I am confident Bradley Blose, CPA under his leadership Seacrest Village will continue its important work of serving Chief Financial Officer our community. Alan Wexler Finance Chair Heidi Kvitli Best regards, Chief Human Resources Officer About our cover: Pictured are the many faces of our Seacrest Heroes, the front-line staff and caregivers who are ensuring the safety and well-being of the Seacrest Village residents and Seacrest at Home clients with love and compassion during these challenging times. Every one of our Seacrest Heroes has a Heart of Gold and we were thrilled to honor them at our Hearts of Gold Gala in February. PAGE 2 | Pam Ferris, President/CEO Rabbi Leah M. Herz, MAHL Seacrest Village Retirement Communities Director of Spiritual Life Experts say we’re moving out of the pandemic and What a difference a year makes! As I write this in the there’s much to be grateful for. However, these same early days of March, I am astounded by the changes experts advise us to be cautious so at this time we’re that have taken place in our world, in our country, and asking you for one thing: your patience. It will be in our own Seacrest Village community. Who could easier to be patient if you’re mindful of the victories have imagined that we would be living within the grips that patience has brought. of a pandemic that would necessitate altering our lives in such a dramatic fashion? At this time 99% of our residents and 86% of our associates have received the COVID-19 vaccine. I have always been fascinated by the ways in which We’re on our path and yet letting go of our tenacity language evolves, and new words and phrases are to keep our residents and staff safe, is not an option. created. Looking back over the past twelve months, our vocabulary has grown exponentially as the result In addition to our victories, there are also some of the pandemic, and words have taken on an entirely silver linings that have emerged this past year. different meaning. Just think about it! A long-hauler Technology has played a huge role in everyone’s was someone who drove a big-rig over many miles. A lives. From tele-health visits between residents and pod was something that peas and beans popped out their physicians, to conducting board meetings of. Bubbles were blown with chewing gum and soapy and family visits on Zoom, the expression, “You’re water. Flattening the curve happened when you on mute” has become almost comedic. The did hundreds of sit-ups. Contact tracing conversation about the background picture on was an attempt to fi nd that old high one’s Zoom screen has now taken the place of school friend with whom you have lost complimenting one on their outfi t or shoes. And touch. We have PPE, PPP, MRNA, N95 who ever imagined “dressing up” would mean what and a whole lot of other examples we’re wearing from the waist up? of alphabet soup. Who among us doesn’t know the meaning of anti- Despite the fact that our Seacrest associates masker, corona baby, maskne, drive- have always been heroes, this past year it has by birthday, Zoom-bombing, social never been more evident. If you’ve not had the distancing, front-liners, super-spreader, chance to see our recent virtual gala where our viral load, and my favorite, quarantini? heroes were honored, I invite you to have a look Daniel Webster would have had a fi eld day at seacrestfoundation.org/gala. This heartwarming deciding which of these would have made it video reminds us what a vital resource Seacrest is to into his 2020 dictionary! our community, and why for our residents, it’s home Some words, however, never change. Our ancient sweet home. sages might not have predicted that what they said I can’t thank the community enough for its in their own time would still resonate with us many continued support, and for the love you have centuries later. And yet, their words have survived the shown us this past year. I especially want to thank test of time and we rely on them still during periods of our outgoing Board Chair, Dave Gilbert, for his change and challenge. Hillel: “Al tifrosh min ha tzibur. extraordinary leadership during this tumultuous Do not separate yourself from the community.” King time. He, along with all our Seacrest board Solomon: “Gam zeh ya’avor. This too shall pass.” The members, deserve to be recognized for being there Talmud (Shavuot 39a): “Kol Yisrael aravim zeh b’zeh. when we needed them most. All of Israel (Jews) are responsible one for another.” Someday perhaps, many years from now, there will They say patience is a virtue. It’s true, now more than be those who quote the words of “Rabbi” Ferris and ever before, as we fi nd our way to the other side of “Rabbi” Measer; words which have sustained and this pandemic. Let’s be patient together. motivated us during this past year; “Together We With tremendous gratitude, Can.” “Think positive and test negative.” Truer words were never spoken! | PAGE 3 Stanley Pappelbaum, MD Kelli Denton, RN Chair, Board of Directors Director, Seacrest at Home Seacrest at Home Seacrest at Home Special Delivery: Home Health Medical Care! Board of Directors It would be a cliché to say that the past year has been a struggle, but Stanley Pappelbaum, MD sometimes a cliché is all that will do. This letter will not recount the ordeal Chair of the past twelve months, but rather comment on what seems to be a slow, Charles Rosen gradual cessation of shared anxiety. I can say now that we at Seacrest at Home Vice Chair are starting to feel some relief from the unending uncertainty. There seems to Hildegarde Beyor be, to use another cliché, light at the end of the tunnel. Secretary Bradley Blose With more vaccinations going into eagerly awaiting arms, the phone has CFO/Treasurer begun to ring a little more with client inquiries and the need for more David Gilbert caregivers is increasing. It seems that others too, are seeing the light and Len Gregory shedding some of the fear. We welcome this change of pace and are Robert Haimsohn beginning to accept new clients and caregivers as well. Pre-COVID-19, we Jay Kunin, PhD were working on getting our home health service fully licensed. That had David Marsh, MD been held up, as one can imagine, but that now is back underway. Home Anne Nagorner health is a growing segment of our industry and one we are well suited to Steven Steinberg, MD serve. Home health allows a nurse to provide seniors a way to stay home and Gina Tapper receive medical care. With technology now giving people little reason to leave Kelli Denton, RN their homes for physician consultations, there is still a need (at least for now) Director for a human to carry out procedures like taking blood, changing dressings, doing medication prefi lls, and so on. People have come to expect that they can have just about anything delivered to their homes, so why should nursing and medically-skilled services be any different? Again, we are eager to get back out there and stand ready to serve you and your loved ones should you ever require home care or home health medical services.