JERI: Rekindling Passover memories for Jewish seniors

BY SUSIE ADLER

For the past 23 years, the staff of Jewish Eldercare of Rhode Island has conducted Passover seders at nursing homes and assisted-living residences across the state. For many of the residents, this is their only seder, but it is likely to remind them of ones from their past.

JERI’s goal is to ensure that Rhode Island’s Jewish seniors feel connected to Judaism and Jewish traditions. 

In some cases at these facilities, there is only one Jewish resident. We are still committed to making a special seder, even for that one resident. And if there are non-Jews in the facility who are interested in Jewish culture, they are invited to attend as well. 

When I returned from conducting seders recently, I related the following stories:

“A gentleman attended my seder today. When he came in, he said he did not want a book, and he did not want to eat or drink. I replied, “That’s fine.” He listened to the story and all of my explanations. When I sang, he hummed along. When we got to “Dayenu,” he sang with all his heart and asked if we could sing it again. He was so excited. When the seder was over, I thanked him for coming and singing with me. He said ‘You’re welcome. Thank you for coming!’ ”

“I conducted a seder at a nursing home and a gentleman seemed to sleep the whole time. I explained, I sang, we ate, and then it was time to leave. I felt badly that he didn’t participate but I had been told that he rarely speaks. I went over to him and said ‘Happy Passover!’ Tears came to my eyes when he responded, ‘Happy Passover to you too. Thank you!’ ”

We never know what will trigger a memory and it is our job to create that spark. It is important to the JERI staff that we reach out and connect with Jewish seniors statewide. If you know someone in need, and are not sure if they are “on our radar,” please call me at 621-5374, ext. 107.

SUSIE ADLER is activity programmer for Jewish Eldercare of Rhode Island. Visit jsari.org, for more information about JERI’s services and programs.