Page 18 - Jewish News_March 2021

18A March 2021 COMMUNITY FOCUS

Aviva’s Kretzmer Center: a hub of life and learning

By Gayle Guynup
esidents at Aviva Senior Living pandemic to engage residents in a safe celebrations and fall Shabbat services and some new experiences to their
regularly enjoy programming environment,” she said. on Friday nights, to a variety of other days,” said Solomon.
Rat the Kretzmer Center, a build- “Through this gracious donation of programming. In addition, the center Programs that are broadcast from
ing completed in late 2017 and named the Federation, we are able to do live- has been used as a base for 500 resi- the center include The Socrates Café,
in honor of philanthropist and lead do- streaming through an in-house channel dents and staff members as the vac- overseen by Joe Newman and Rich
nor Ernie Kretzmer. directly into the residents’ apartments,” cination program was rolled out, and Weingarten, which addresses a dif-
“When we opened the center in for Coronavirus testing. ferent topic of current interest every
January 2018, it was designed and an- The new broadcasting week; a French language and culture
ticipated to be the centerpiece of the capabilities have been a class led by Jeanette Hirsch; a Shake-
arts and culture programming at Avi- major tool in fighting the speare Club; and also a book club.
va. In 2018 and 2019, it was also uti- isolation and depression Currently, the center is also being
lized as our main sanctuary for Rosh that so often accompanies used by smaller groups, which adhere
Hashanah and Yom Kippur, so that we the virus. By broadcasting to Aviva’s safety protocols (includ-
were able to have all of the residents directly into the residenc- ing hand washing, mask wearing and
and their families in one location for es, those living at Aviva socially distanced spaces). Thus, the
the High Holidays, which made it even can choose from a varied Residents’ Association board and other
more special,” said Aviva CEO Jay and interesting menu of smaller groups are able to once again
Solomon. activities. hold their meetings there.
Earlier this year, Aviva received “We can see, by talking “The Kretzmer Center, in its short
a grant from The Jewish Federation to the residents, the toll life, has gone from being the center of
of Sarasota-Manatee to update the which the isolation is tak- our arts and culture programming, to
Kretzmer Center’s audiovisual and ing. There is no question serving as a religious center, to being
broadcasting equipment. about it. At this point, any- the hub of our pandemic response,”
“The Jewish Federation of Sara- Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz and Cantor Joy Katzen-Guthrie thing we can do to break Solomon said. “The Kretzmer Cen-
sota-Manatee granted monies from its at Rosh Hashanah services at Aviva’s Kretzmer Center up the isolation, even if it ter is the quintessential multi-purpose
Stronger Together campaign to assist Solomon said. “This not only features is just the broadcasting of these special room that has been utilized in every
Aviva with necessary technical up- YouTube videos and educational pro- events from the Kretzmer Center into way imaginable to enhance the lives of
grades in the Kretzmer Center so that it grams, but it is also the way that I, as their apartments, adds a bit of variety our residents.”
could provide educational and inspira- CEO, can communicate directly with
tional virtual programming to residents the residents in their living rooms. We ConneCt
in their homes,” said Federation Chief joke that it is my version of the Fireside
Operating Officer Kim Adler. “Our Chat,” he said. “By having that capa-
committee felt that this was an im- bility, we can bring residents up to date with your Jewish Community
portant step toward addressing issues on Covid testing and vaccinations, and
of isolation and depression that Aviva what areas of the campus we have been
residents, like so many seniors, have able to reopen, and do it in real time.” facebook.com/jfedsrq
experienced during this difficult time. During the Coronavirus pandem-
We continue to be impressed with the ic, the center has been a hub for activ-
steps Aviva has taken throughout the ities – everything from High Holiday

Wishing You a Happy & Healthy Pesach

At Aviva, our residents do more than call our
A t A viv a, our r esident s do mor e than call our
community home. They live here, with purpose
and meaning at every turn. Embracing the STAY CONNECTED
beauty of Sarasota and our 27-acre campus.
Curating a thriving arts and cultural scene.
And ensuring your peace of mind with loving
staff in a safe and secure environment —
upholding the highest COVID safety standards.
1951 N. Honore Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34235
Visit us at AvivaSeniorLife.org 941.377.0781 | AvivaSeniorLife.org

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care | Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
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