Los Angeles Jewish Home

Vocational nurse students from the Annenberg School of Nursing (ASN) recently visited Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission in Sunland. Led by their instructor, David Cooper, MS (Ed), LVN, and with transportation provided by the Jewish Home, the students spent the day assisting with healthcare services, patient education, and serving meals.

“As nursing students, we spend so much time experiencing nursing through our textbooks,” said ASN student Richard Wagner. “Our field trip to Hope of the Valley was a special experience we shall all cherish for some time to come. It was a real example of what nursing is all about…touching the lives of those who are truly in need.”

Since 2009, Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission has aspired to meet the needs of the “whole” person – spiritually, emotionally, and physically by offering hope, hot meals, housing, health services, and healing to those in need. When the ASN students arrived, Hope staff shared the organization’s history, vision, and programs offered. The students then met with a substance abuse counselor and explored a variety of issues. The ASN students were given assignments, which offered opportunities to interact with clients and providers.

“The Annenberg students proved themselves to be detail oriented, flexible, caring, energetic, and willing to go out of their comfort zone,” said Louise Moore, program director for Hope of the Valley. “In other words, qualities that say “nurse!”

ASN instructor David Cooper felt the experience was enriching and enlightening for the students. “They were able to assist in providing charitable relief to hundreds of individuals in need, helping to feed and distribute supplies to homeless guests.”

The ASN vocational nurse students will be returning to Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission in July, something the students are looking forward to, and staff and clients of Hope of the Valley will greatly appreciate.

Labels: Annenberg School of Nursing, Charity, Giving Back, Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, Nursing Students, Philanthropy, Vocational Nursing

Each year, the Los Angeles Jewish Home organizes a golf "marathon" fundraiser called the Longest Day of Golf. Participants golf as many holes as they can in an entire day, raising money for the Jewish Home's various life-enhancing programs along the way. This blog recounts the Longest Day of Golf 2011, held on July 11. Special thanks to El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, CA for allowing the Jewish Home to use its entire course without charge, and to Someone's in the Kitchen for donating the meals for our golfers!


By Jason Weiss

Well, I did it!

It took 12 grueling hours, ten bottles of water, six golf balls, four protein bars, three bottles of Gatorade, and a  partridge in a pear tree.

In total, it took me 463 strokes to get around El Caballero Country Club six times. That number was assisted by both Mother Nature deciding to take it easy on me, and a four-foot gimme radius for the first three rounds.

I present to you a running diary of thoughts, highlights, and achievements throughout the marathon. Note: all times are approximate.

5:35am: BEEP BEEP BEEP. As my alarm goes off, I can only think to quote Ron Burgundy in the movie Anchorman: "I immediately regret this decision."

6:37am: I start on the third hole (don't worry, I went back to finish the first two holes before lunch) with a monster tee shot down the left side of the fairway. I hit a wedge to the middle of the green and two putt for a par. One down, 107 to go. "Oy vey," I thought. After all, we are playing for the Los Angeles Jewish Home.

7:50am: It is every golfer's instinct to drive from the 18th green into the clubhouse, where an ice cold adult beverage is usually ripe to be consumed. Not only this day. An immediate right turn and back to the first tee. First round statistics: I shot 73 (remember the four foot gimme radius) with three birdies (No gimmes on birdie putts) and played one hour and twenty minutes.

9:20am: Round two is in the books. This was probably my least favorite round. The light at the end of the tunnel was too far in the distance, and the excitement of what I signed up for was in the rear view mirror. I made no birdies, shot a respectable 79, and was just happy to get it out of the way in 90 minutes. Thought for the second round: "I've just played 36 holes at El Cab in the time that it takes most members to play 12 holes. This is how El Cab should be played!"

9:40-9:55am: My best three-hold stretch of the day. On holes 39-41, I went birdie-birdie, birdie, including a 130 yard bunker shot to eight inches. I could hear my dad saying "I hate you" after the third tap in. I shot 75 in round three. Halfway home.

11:55am: Here's a question that I had never thought about before Monday: How many consecutive holes must one play in the same golf cart before the batter light turns on? Answer: I first noticed it on hole 60. At 63, I changed carts. Time for lunch.

12:00pm: Lunch. A turkey sandwich, fruit salad, pasta salad, chips, and a slice of apple pie were accompanied by a nice speech from Jewish Home CEO-President Molly Forrest. I don't really remember what she said. All I remember thinking was "Ahhhh, air conditioning."

1:05pm: I made a friend at lunch, and we decided to play our last two rounds together. His name was Jason as well, and was the second youngest participant, at 42. He was a really nice guy, but not such a great golfer. I tried to give him a bunker lesson. It didn't work. My lesson to him for the rest of the day: "Jason, when you hit in the bunker, just pick it up. We don't have time for you to hit four shots in each bunker." He agreed. Round four: 77.

2:40pm: Second wall. Hole 80. I don't know what you know about a golf swing, but a golf swing is more body than arms. The two have to work together for the ball to be hit far and straight. My arms and body are no longer working together. If my golf swing was Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston circa 2005 before lunch, it is most certainly Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston circa 2011 now. The honeymoon is over...this is no longer fun. Round five: a really surprising 78.

3:15pm: Hold 86. "Another $200 for the Jewish Home" was the mantra that Jason and I kept repeating after every hole as we played in the heat of the day. "Keep grinding."

4:15pm: As I stick my tee into the tee box on the first hole for the SIXTH and final time, I realize that I've made it. Ninety holes down. Only one more round to go. If my body wasn't shaking, I would've leaped for joy.

6:45pm: SHANK!

6:55pm: Victory! As my four foot par putt hit the bottom of the 18th hole, my day was over. I had done it. One hundred and eight holes of golf in one day. I raised my arms as best I could and triumphantly high fived my playing partner for the afternoon. Round six: 81. Four Hundred and Sixty Three total strokes.

As I type this with my bruised hands, while sitting on my sore rear end, which is still not as sore as my legs and feet, I am overcome with a sense of pride and humbled by the generosity of everyone who supported me throughout this challenge.

When I decided that I was going to raise money on behalf of the Home for this event, I would have never anticipated that I could raise over $10,000. I am truly touched by this feat.

I would like to thank you personally for all of your support. I look forward to playing in this event for years to come, and your support is greatly appreciated.

If you'd like to talk about this event, ask any other question about the event or the Home, please feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks again!!!

Labels: El Caballero Country Club, Fund Development, Fundraising, Golf, Jason Weiss, Jewish Home, Longest Day of Golf, Los Angeles Jewish Home, Marathon, Philanthropy, Putt, Seniors, Staff, Stroke, Swing

Q. How does a charitable gift annuity work?
A. The Los Angeles Jewish Home pays you, or you and another person you select, a fixed amount for life, from a monetary or securities gift you give. What's left of your gift after the lifetimes of the people receiving payments helps support our mission to care for our nearly 1,000 residents.

Q. How are the payment amounts determined?
A. The annual rate of your payment is based on your age at the time of the gift. The older you are, the higher your gift annuity rate. Payment rates are locked in for the duration of the gift annuity.

Q. What are my tax benefits for making this type of donation?
A. You qualify for a sizable charitable income tax deduction in the year you set up the gift annuity. In addition, each year, a portion of your payment is income tax-free, until you reach your anticipated life expectancy. Plus, part of your payments may be taxed at a lower capital gains tax rate.

Get Payments When You Need Them
You can also set up a deferred gift annuity where you delay receiving payments until a later date — such as when you reach retirement. You'll get the income when you need it most, and the payout rate and your tax deduction will be significantly higher than that of an immediate payment gift annuity.

If you have questions about charitable gift annuities, please contact Aaron Levinson at (818) 757-4416 or aaron.levinson@jha.org.

Labels: Aaron Levinson, Annuity, Charitable Gift, Donate, Elderly, Fund Development, Life Income Plan, Non-Profit, Philanthropy, Planned Giving, Planning, Seniors, Staff, Why We Give

Have you ever felt a desire to help ensure that the important work of the Los Angeles Jewish Home continues for years to come? If you've silenced that inner voice because you have concerns about your own family's needs, a planned giving option called a life income gift may be your win-win solution.

Many of our donors choose a life income plan to find more flexibility — and often more tax benefits — than they can receive from simply writing a check.

Your Win-Win Solution
A life income arrangement lets you receive regular payments for yourself or others you choose — for example, your spouse, your aging parents, or a sibling — for a lifetime. After the lifetimes of those receiving payments, the remaining assets support our cause.

Other possible benefits of a life income arrangement include:

• Receiving a money-saving federal income tax deduction in the year you make the gift.
• Increasing your current income.
• Qualifying for generous estate and gift tax benefits.

Labels: Aaron Levinson, Charitable Gift, Donate, Elderly, Fund Development, Life Income Plan, Non-Profit, Philanthropy, Planned Giving, Planning, Seniors, Staff, Why We Give

The quote in the title line was said by Jewish Home resident Ellis Simon. Now 87, he's been living here for around 11 years! Granted, he's been saying that for quite some time now, but we finally caught it on tape.

Labels: Donate, Freedom, Gift, Jewish Home, Online Donation, Philanthropy, Residents, Simon, Social Media, Staff, Support, Video, Volunteer, Why We Give, YouTube

The horrific earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and the suffering they inflicted have led to a remarkable outpouring of assistance from around the world. The scale of this humanitarian response has led many of us to reflect on the nature of giving.

Material help, like money or food for disaster victims or for the homeless in our own community, is just one of the ways we can, and do, give of ourselves. Some — in war and peace — give their life for others, for their country, or for an ideal.

But giving can also become a way of life. Each of us can choose to share our love or energy, time or advice at every opportunity. We can take a moment to listen or share a thought or a smile that makes someone feel understood, recognized, not alone.

A Culture of Giving

Jewish tradition has quite a lot to say about our personal responsibility to give. The Torah teaches us to protect the "widow and the orphan," which extends to all of the vulnerable in our society. And Judaism puts great emphasis on the concept of "tzedakah." This is a complicated word that draws much of its beauty and authority from its dual focus on doing what is right here and now, and acting in the pursuit of justice.

Thus, by acknowledging his or her cultural identity, a Jew is required to give, especially to relieve poverty and suffering. Tzedakah is not 'merely' an ideal. It is not something we choose to do when we happen to be feeling generous, but an obligation of our tradition and culture.

Giving of this type was exemplified by those many American Jews who worked and risked their lives in support of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. One woman involved in that struggle recalled that her actions were motivated by the principle from the Torah not to stand idly by when others are facing a difficult plight.

Giving as the Basis of the Community

In order to create a true community, must we each contribute in some way? Almost everyone I ask responds 'yes' to this question. But more than just enjoying the benefits of belonging to a community, people seem naturally motivated and energized to contribute, and are often creative about finding opportunities to do so.

For seniors who no are no longer independent, these opportunities are not as obvious as they once were. But by contributing our love and energy, time or advice, we can create the sense of community almost anywhere. A simple gesture of warmth, friendship, or conversation with others at a nursing station or attending an activity or a class — and actively participating at those events — is an act of giving that helps bring the community alive.

Meaning from Each and Every Day

I hear from many seniors who are experiencing a lack of meaning in their lives. Some feel that their time of giving in life — whether this was discovered through raising their family or having a successful career — is over, and with it went much of the meaning of their lives.

To those who wish to find meaning by giving to others, I suggest that the simple acts of kindness and generosity, or participation in community wherever and whenever the opportunity arises, are real and valuable moments of giving.

Indeed, every opportunity we take to contribute to the life and well-being of the community is a win-win. Others gain from what we give, and we ourselves gain immeasurably from the act of giving.

Rabbi Anthony Elman serves as Rabbi of the Jewish Home's Grancell Village Campus. His professional background is multifaceted, encompassing the fields of law, social work, and psychotherapy. Rabbi Elman has been with the Home since his ordination and graduation from the Academy for Jewish Religion-California in May 2007

Labels: Community, Elman, Feature Articles, For the Spirit, Giving, Judaism, Philanthropy, Tzedakah