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Dear friend, The effect Covid-19 has had on the elderly is still unknown. But what is certain is that when they have a visitor, it makes a world of a difference to them. It is like saving lives.
I want to encourage you to make an effort to be more available for the elderly. Think about what YOU can do to brighten their lives. Please enjoy some first hand stories in this appreciation report. It is thanks to you that they happened. Thank you so much for your partnership! Rabbi Menachem & Adina Landa |
LETTER FROM
YOU Gave her connection, by David Rubinstein
My mom was originally from Providence, Rhode Island and grew up in an Orthodox family, mainly in Brooklyn, New York.
Imagine what it was like for her, then, to move out here to the Bay Area! She maintained her kosher household and deep religious beliefs, despite it being so different from her upbringing. She was living in the Deer Park Retirement Community.
One day, she starts telling me about this Rabbi she met, and how his wife was cooking kosher chicken for her each week and the Rabbi would deliver it.
I thought to myself: I’ve got to contact this Rabbi, and offer to pay for the chicken and deliver it myself.
And so began a connection that has lasted until today. I reached out to Rabbi Landa. He had met my mom, Mimmie, at one of his frequent visits to Deer Park where he would bring the joy of the holidays to the residents there. Whether it was Purim and he’d be reading the megillah, or Rosh Hashana and he’d come to blow the Shofar, you made sure that the Jewish residents of the Deer Park Community would not go overlooked.
There’s no question that this was a highlight in my mom’s religious experience.
It was a connection. A real connection. The kosher chicken was the pathway to her firmly re-establishing her connection with Judaism.
You care. And you show that.
YOU GIVE HER THE GIFT OF TIME, by Dawn Daniels
My mom, Dalia, was born and raised in a tumultuous time. It was 1940, in Palestine, as the State of Israel was being formed. The British were ruling, and things were very difficult.
Her parents, my grandparents, reluctantly left the Warsaw Ghetto as they witnessed the rise of Hitler, and were devastated upon finding out that 37 close family members were murdered in the Holocaust. They arrived on the shores of Palestine to make a life for themselves there and begin anew.
At the age of 17, my mother flew to America and became a textile designer in Manhattan. She’s an amazingly creative woman, an artist, poet, painter, and writer.
She met my Dad, got married and moved to Texas (where my Dad was originally from). Here was my mom, a young Israeli firebrand, living in Austin, Texas, raising me. She felt quite alone, Jewish-wise.
She’s a warrior. She got two master degrees, and a PhD in linguistics. When my parents got divorced, despite her fear of how she would make it, my mom persevered and made it through.
When my mom developed dementia in 2016, I brought her over to Northern California where I was living.
I am so grateful that Rabbi Landa and Adina go to visit her. They tell me that they gain more from being with her than she gains from them. I’m sure it’s mutual. They tell me that anytime Adina or Rabbi Landa (or one of the kids!) would sing the Shema or the Modeh Ani, my mom, Dalia, would sing along. It’s amazing how deep our Judaism runs.
My mom’s strong Jewish roots and strong Jewish connection is rekindled every time they visit. The Rabbi’s enthusiasm and love for my mom is such an inspiring and beautiful light.
My mom bought a burial plot in 1986 in the Mount of Olives. Because of her dementia, I actually had no clue about it. Menachem did some detective work and because of him I was able to find the plot, know what to do, and who to call when the time comes.
The gift of time is the biggest gift you can give someone. You absolutely do just that. You give my mom the gift of time. Your time.
YOU Really Care, by Nina Sicangco, Hilda's Caregiver
You know what it’s like to see someone’s eyes and entire face light up? That’s what I get to witness each and every time Rabbi Landa, or Adina, or the Landa children, come to visit Hilda.
I am a caregiver, and I’ve been working with Holocaust survivor, 95 year old Hilda Namm for the past 3 years already.
She absolutely loves it when the Landas visit, especially the kids. I remember one time, the Landa kids were coming over to go swimming and Hilda was looking forward to it all day. She knew the littlest one loved oranges and made sure I bought some. She wanted me to get fruit and watermelon, and make sure it was cold. Her anticipation was contagious and so fun to watch.
But it’s not just about visiting. I notice that there are people who just come to visit because they are wanting something from her. But when Rabbi Landa or Adina visit, Hilda is just at ease. She feels like these are actually people who care about me. Who want to listen to me. Who value my opinion.
Rabbi Landa is constantly asking Hilda for her opinions and her advice. And she really appreciates that. She feels needed. And she feels truly valued by him. She stays up-to-date on his life and what he’s doing.
And the benefit lasts far beyond their visit. For the rest of the day, she’ll be all smiles. She’ll ask me what I think of the kids, and repeat anecdotes or stages of development that she sees in them. She really loves them.
At this point, Hilda isn’t able to say that much. But just seeing the Landas makes a huge difference to her.
She also really enjoys Adina’s Challah Bread. In general, Hilda loves a variety of foods, but when it comes to Adina’s Challah, she can eat that all day.
I work with other elderly people, and I see how essential phone calls and visits are for them. They are often alone and lonely, craving connection, conversation, and being needed. Especially with the pandemic, they feel even more isolated than pre-pandemic.
Elderly people need people the most. They feel lonely when they don’t get to see or hear from others, especially others that they care about. I really admire Hilda’s daughter and son for how often they call and visit. Hilda is extremely social and loves phone calls and visits. Chabad really does that for her.
I get to see first-hand the huge difference it makes in Hilda’s life. Thank you.
