Year: 2023

Cedar Sinai Park's annual meeting of the members* for 2023 is on Tuesday, June 20. The meeting is in-person at Rose Schnitzer Manor, in Zidell Hall. Membership status applies to those who have donated to Cedar Sinai Park in any amount since July 1, 2022. Only members are entitled to vote at the annual meeting, but all members of the community are welcome to attend.  

Talea Windsor is fairly typical of a Cedar Sinai Park caregiver, many of whom join the Home for its reputation and then stay on due to the family feel. “I’d always heard about this place being amazing and having great food from my friends who worked here, so I thought I’d give it a try,” said the medication aide, who joined Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living more than two years ago. “I like the households, the family living. It’s cozy and we get to know the residents intimately. They become like family.” Talea grew up in Oregon and found herself caregiving at a young age for her Hillsboro high sweetheart who had chronic health issues. “When we went to the prom, he was really sick with swelling on the brain and was admitted to the hospital the day after the dance,” she remembers, a quiet sadness in her voice. “When he got out of the hospital, he had a pick line inserted, and I remember going to concerts with him carrying a cooler full of IV stuff and I’d hook him up when we were at the concert. It got me started in the medical field.” Though Talea’s first love passed away a decade ago, his family is still part of her life, and he is especially in her memory as she is caring for others. Talea taught preschool for a few years before turning to senior living facilities. A typical day for her now at Robison is checking vitals, giving medications and supplements, and helping residents in the Stern and Barde households with whatever they need. She was selected Employee of the Quarter in late 2022, and hopes to grow her career this year at Robison by heading to nursing school. Chief Executive Officer Kimberly Fuson fondly recalls Talea rightly following the rules to a T even if it means standing up to others. I’m big on integrity,” said Talea. “You have to do what’s right.” Talea said she thinks Cedar Sinai Park caregivers overall share her values, and loving, nurturing personality. “The residents become like family members and we go out of our way to do little things for them to make them feel special,” she said. “Like one resident mentioned they needed hair gel and I went and bought him hair gel. Little things like that are so important. ###    

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Interconnection is what Cedar Sinai Park is all about, and a number of new connections were formed at Rose Schnitzer Manor’s welcome breakfast last week. “Where did you live in Connecticut?” asked Resident Welcome Committee Chair Harriet, of new resident Ann. “Where?! Hamden?! You’re kidding, I lived there!” The ladies proceeded to share common shops they frequented and laugh over the potential of paths crossing. Forrest and Sandy were celebrating their one-month anniversary at Rose Schnitzer Manor during the welcome breakfast. “We like it here,” said Forrest. “We came because the cost was more reasonable than other places we toured. Now that we’re here, we like the food, and the people are very nice.” Ann, who had been with Cedar Sinai Park for seven weeks at the time of this writing, said she came to Rose Schnitzer Manor because her son lives in Portland. “People take me places and I’m so grateful,” she said. “The food is good. I am a nutritionist so I appreciate the food.” Added Norma, “The food is wonderful, and the people here have been friendly and the service is great. I’ve been very happy during my one month here; people have been very kind.” The new resident welcome breakfast is also an opportunity for people to connect with Rose Schnitzer Manor leaders to ask questions, said Erin Hickox Acker, Resident Transitions and Experience Director. Invitations are sent to new residents, and the welcome committee distributes the invitations. “We want people to feel comfortable as they become acclimated to Rose Schnitzer Manor, and to have access to leadership so they can find talk about any needs that have come up in their first few weeks,” said Erin. “We also want residents to come out of their rooms and get to know one another in a fun way, and the welcome breakfast is one good way to make that happen. For more information about Rose Schnitzer Manor, or a tour, please call Erin, (503) 535-4004, or email, erin.hickoxacker@cedarsinaipark.org. ##    

There comes a time when many stay-at-home parents decide to re-enter the workforce, and it was that moment in 2019 that brought Michael Gettel-Gilmartin to Sinai In-Home Care. “A friend of mine had worked here, and she said it would be a great place for me,” said Michael, who recently celebrated his fourth anniversary with Sinai In-Home Care. “The kids were grown and didn’t need me as much, and it seemed like a good time to return to work. “I think I found my vocation at my late age of almost 60!” Michael was a volunteer caregiver for three years during university in Exeter, England, where he grew up. “It was a sweet connection with seniors in our community,” he said. “We’d have a cup of tea and chat.” After graduating with a bachelor of arts in English literature, Michael moved to Japan where he met wife, Marie, an Oregon native. The couple have three boys, and Michael managed the children’s schedules and activities for 20 years. Michael initially began with one client at Sinai In-Home Care, and now works about 30 hours a week. Currently, he has four clients, all male, ranging in age from 78 to 99. Typical tasks include driving, reading, helping with the computer, dressing, writing cards, going to the store, and helping to organize appointments. “I just love it,” he said. “I love hearing their stories and I love being able to help them. One of my clients is a World War II veteran and self-made businessman, and he is just a hoot. I just loved him the minute I met him.” Michael often provides respite care for his clients’ families who do the bulk of in-home care, but sometimes need a break. “Everybody loves Michael,” said Heather Hess, Sinai In-Home Care interim director. “All of Michael’s clients would love more time with him because he is a man with a heart of gold. He is so dedicated to his clients. Even when he’s away on vacation, he will send emails asking how things are going with his senior friends.” Added Michael: “It would be a nice thing if I were able to encourage people to try caregiving. I like listening to stories, helping people, and meeting others, so I would 100% recommend this job. “I like working here. Everyone is very supportive and there’s good training and support.” For more information about Sinai In-Home Care, call (503) 542-0088. ###    

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Cedar Sinai Park owns three Torahs that are used for a variety of Jewish services and holidays, and resident Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. “We exist because of Torah,” said Board Member Eddy Shuldman, who is chairperson of the Religious and Spiritual Life Committee. “The Torah teaches us about honoring our parents, valuing our elders, and about choosing life!” Eddy said all three Torahs have been with Cedar Sinai Park for a very long time. “I can’t begin to estimate the length of time we have had these Torahs,” said Eddy. “But the Torahs are all estimated to range in age from 50 to 120 years. We do know that the Nudelman family generously donated a Torah in memory of Alysmae Nudelman in 1997.”   Two of Cedar Sinai Park’s Torahs are typically housed in the Cogan Chapel ark in the Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living, and one is generally in the Zidell Hall ark. We also currently have one Torah in the Zidell ark, which is on loan from Congregation Shaarie Torah. Just prior to the onset of Covid, all three campus Torahs were inspected by a sofer (scribe) for the first time in their history with Cedar Sinai Park, a gift from Marcy Tonkin. Two of the Torahs are currently in Florida undergoing the necessary repairs. The remaining Torah on campus is our smallest, a 16” medium weight scroll, written in a Nice Bet Yoseph script approximately 100 years ago in Germany. There are 42 lines per column. The scroll is called a “vuv” scroll, which means that almost every column starts with the letter “vuv.” “Vacationing” in Florida, said Eddy, is our other “vuv,” a 21-inch, heavyweight Torah scroll written in a Good Bet Yoseph Sephard script approximately 50 to 60 years ago in Israel. The other Torah under repair is a 16.25” lightweight Torah scroll written in a Good Bet Yoseph script approximately 120 years ago in Germany. Eddy said that prior to Covid, Cedar Sinai Park participated in B’yachad, pairing Rose Schnitzer Manor residents with Portland Jewish Academy seventh and eighth grade students. B’yachad means ‘together’ in Hebrew. One of B’yachad’s last activities was cleaning the scrolls before sending them off to Florida, one of the most “memorable activities,” said Eddy. “These Torahs are treasured and have been lovingly used for Shabbat and holiday services for decades,” she said. “They are considered a part of our Cedar Sinai Park family!   ###  

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