What do you get when you combine a healthy dose of appreciation, a gourmet luncheon with friends, and a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping bazaar? The answer is the Jewish Pavilion's "JP Connections", honoring dedicated volunteers Jane Edelstein and Lois Silverberg.

"Our annual luncheon is our yearly opportunity for us to show our appreciation and to connect with our wonderful volunteers and membership who support the Jewish Pavilion in so many ways, whether spending time with seniors one-on-one, providing friendship or a listening ear, lending a hand at our year-round programming, or through donations of any and every kind," noted Pamela Ruben, marketing and communications director for the Jewish Pavilion. "This year, we celebrate two special women who have touched the hearts and given their time to the seniors we serve in more than 70 senior living communities throughout greater Orlando."

Honoree Jane Edelstein discovered the Jewish Pavilion three years ago, after looking for the right place to connect with community after the passing of her beloved mother. She shares that she fell in love with the Pavilion's mission to bring community and Jewish life to residents of elder-care homes, and she felt it was a cause her mother, the late Fanny Edelstein, a community "doer", would have supported. Edelstein hit the ground running after joining the Friends Board, chairing the Pavilion's past two Fall Fundraisers, including the recent well-attended "Sunday in the Park."

Lois Silverberg

This past August, Edelstein furthered her commitment to the Pavilion, joining the staff as the part-time Intergenerational Program Director. She is helping grow this brand- new program, which focuses on building a deeper youth-senior connection, in partnership with local synagogues, youth groups, bar and bat mitzvah students, and families. Edelstein is pleased with the program's launch, "Many wonderful things happen when kids spend time with the aged. The kids develop a sense of compassion and learn to feel comfortable around the elderly."

While Jane Edelstein is a newer member of the Pavilion family, honoree, Lois Silverberg has been there from its inception. In fact, her husband, Mark (of more than 50 years), is credited with naming the non-profit, as a "Jewish home that is movable to meet the cultural needs of residents of senior living communities, wherever they call home." For many years, Lois has worked hard to help fulfill this mission. Every Monday she can be found making residents at Savannah Court in Maitland feel at home during "the happiest hour of the week". At that time, Silverberg co- leads a Happy Hour for residents of all faiths, often with friend Corrine Braille, or Happy Hour founder Gloria Newberger. Silverberg greets the crowd with an outreached arm and warm hug, and asks each one about their week, their health, and/or their grandchildren. Additionally, she spends time bonding with residents at Horizon Bay in Altamonte Springs at a monthly Jewish Pavilion luncheon, "celebrating the latest holiday or just kibitzing like the old friends they have become". Silverberg claims she gets as much from giving to others, as they receive. She noted, "I am so thankful to have met all these wonderful people, who touch my life each week."

Please join the Jewish Pavilion at JP Connections, honoring volunteers Jane Edelstein and Lois Silverberg on Thursday December 8th at 11:00 AM at the Altamonte Hilton. Couvert, $25, Patron tickets, $50 (includes $25 in shopping bucks), Patron tickets, $100 (includes $75 in shopping tickets). Register online at http://www.jewishpavilion.org or call 407-678-9363. Vendor tables available.