Jewish Pavilion fashion show

By Pamela Ruben

Put away your tired old sweats, on Thursday, April 29, the Jewish Pavilion will be holding its annual fashion show. Live and in-person at Dillard’s Department Store (Altamonte Mall), the annual fashion show will raise funds for the Pavilion’s senior programs. For a dozen years, the annual ‘Spring into Fashion” show was a celebration of fashion, food and fun. According to Jewish Pavilion executive director, Nancy Ludin, “This year the fashion show means so much more. After a year of the pandemic shutting down the world for our seniors (and our country) in so many ways, we are thrilled that Dillard’s is hosting our fashion show.” Every measure will be made to keep things safe including masks, distancing the seats, breakfast in bags, etc., Ludin noted, “We are very anxious to reconnect with friends and acquaintances that we have not seen in a year and experience a social, fun gathering once again.”

With most senior facilities closed to visitors during much of 2020 and into 2021, the Jewish Pavilion continued its outreach to almost 400 facility residents through phone calls, letters, holiday car parades, and holiday gift bags. As more and more residents receive covid vaccines, some facilities have begun to open their doors to small in-person gatherings.

When it came to choosing an honoree for the fashion show, chairpersons Marci Gaeser and Sharon Littman wanted to honor both a resident who experienced the shut-down first-hand as well as a worker in the senior community who enhanced the lives of elders during this difficult year. Nancy Ludin, and her mother, Gloria Newberger, a five-year resident of Oakmonte Village, seemed like an ideal match.

Littman remarked, “Nancy was beyond creative when it came to resident outreach. While our seniors could not be visited in-person, she encouraged a letter writing and phone call campaign to keep the community connection flowing. In addition, food trucks were sponsored to honor the hard -working senior care worker.”

Gaeser added, “Just like Nancy, Gloria’s smile always lights up the room, and when she talks about her involvement with the Pavilion you can see the warmth in her eyes.”

Newberger, 92, was a Pavilion volunteer for many years before she herself became an independent-living resident. When she first moved into Oakmonte, Newberger continued her volunteerism, with regular visits to memory care residents. During the months of lockdown, she came to rely on the community connection brought by the Pavilion.

“Board members, such as Susie Stone, Corrine Braille, and Shirley Schoenberger called often, just when I needed a pick-me-up. Dinnertime was a tray by the door, and I really missed the camaraderie.”

After enduring a difficult year, which included the loss of her beloved son, Mark, as well as an emergency appendectomy just two months ago, Newberger was reluctant to accept the honor. However, when she heard that she would be celebrated along with her daughter, Nancy, she accepted.

The proud mom shared, “Nancy was made for this job. This is just not a Monday thru Friday position for her. Nancy also spends her weekends visiting residents without local family. After so many months apart, I am looking forward to being by her side and seeing all the faces I have missed so much.”

Please join the Jewish Pavilion for their 2021 Fashion Show, honoring mother and daughter, Nancy Ludin and Gloria Newberger at Dillard’s at Altamonte Mall, Thursday, April 29, at 9:30 a.m., the fashion show begins at 10 a.m.

Couvert is $25; Fashionista (enjoy front-row seating), $50; Couture Patron (front-row seating and entered in a drawing to win gifts), $100; Benefactor, $500.

(Social distancing protocols will be in place, with masks required. The store opens to the public at 11 a.m.) To register for the event, please visit https://jpav.ticketspice.com/2021-fashion-show.