Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

We are very proud that to say that our Jewish elderly are receiving the love and support they deserve. At the Jewish Pavilion, we deliver Jewish tradition and compassion to the doorsteps of seniors in long-term care.

In Orlando we do not have a Jewish Home for the Aged. We are an outreach organization that functions like a Jewish community center on wheels bringing the Jewish community to our seniors who are no longer mobile.

The Pavilion has 400 volunteers that visit every known Jewish elder in assisted living and skilled nursing. We provide Shabbat and holiday festivities and intergenerational programs such as Yiddish classes, musicales and ice cream socials. Our staff and volunteers visit over 50 long-term care facilities where we come together to share our culture with residents of all faiths. We are there to look after loved ones or lift someone's spirits with a visit or holiday celebration.

Senior facilities in Orlando have activities directors who are unfamiliar with our culture and do not know how to celebrate our holidays. Jewish seniors look forward to celebrating the high holidays with the Jewish Pavilion. They appreciate our service leaders and can't wait to dip their apples in honey and enjoy the traditional foods associated with Rosh Hashanah.

The residents especially love the friendship and fuss we make in our efforts to make everyone feel special and loved. Tasting a noodle kugel after having eaten institutional food daily often brings tears of joy and gratitude.

Rinat Halon Photography

Nancy Ludin shares a moment with a resident.

Just click on any posting on the Jewish Pavilion Facebook page and you'll find photos of seniors savoring a taste of traditional foods, whether they're noshing on challah on Shabbat, latkes at Chanukah, hamantashen at Purim, or rugellah during Yiddish Class. On Nov. 8th the Jewish Pavilion will bring their tasting expertise to the entire community, and will host a new fundraiser at the Maitland Civic Center called "A Taste in the Park." The Taste will replace "A Walk in the Park," which was held at Cranes Roost for the past five years. A Taste in the Park has all the features of a taste event, plus children's activities, live entertainment, and prizes galore. Event chairwoman, Jane Edelstein, expects more than 500 guests to fill their plates at the Taste. Visit http://www.jewishpavilion.org to learn more about our organization and our event.

Elise Schilowitz, President

Nancy Ludin, Executive Director