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

This past year, in bringing gift bags to all Jewish seniors in facilities, occasionally there were a few bags left over. Director Nancy Ludin requested those bags go to Jewish seniors not in these facilities who might like one. One of these seniors was Helene Markovitz. Program Director Cantor Nina Fine would bring a bag to her each holiday, but each time was unable to reach her through the phone intercom system or at her apartment and would just leave the bag with the office or on her door. Finally, at Shavuot, as Cantor Fine was trying to call in, she saw a woman sitting in the lobby. She tried to communicate through the door that she was trying to reach Markovitz and couldn't as she didn't answer, but that she had a gift bag for her. Finally, the lady sitting next to the woman looked over to see what was happening and saw the name on the bag and exclaimed, "I'm Helene!" The two women opened the door for Cantor Fine and Markovitz, smiling broadly explained that she had been in rehabilitation for a stroke, but she always received the gift bags from The Jewish Pavilion and was so pleased that Ludin and The Jewish Pavilion always remembered her. She was so grateful and posed for this picture.

A few weeks later, Cantor Fine was asked if she could do any shopping for Markovitz as she was struggling. When Cantor Fine delivered groceries to Markovitz, she was beside herself with joy over receiving a few items that she started looking around her apartment to find gifts to give her in return. Walking away with a T-shirt, stress ball and a holder for a car GPS, Cantor Fine was overcome with a sense of gratefulness for what big effects a small gesture can make.

If you would like to help serve the under-served Jewish seniors in the Orlando area, please consider making a donation to The Jewish Pavilion or volunteer to stuff bags, deliver groceries, visit, assist at events, or "Adopt a Grandparent" – a Jewish Pavilion intergenerational program.

Please visit http://www.jewishpavilion.org or call 407-678-9363.