Greater Philadelphia has one of the largest older-adult populations in the country. Enabling our seniors to age safely and with dignity in their own homes is a top priority of the Jewish Federation. We partner with high-impact programs like KleinLife to provide basic necessities, social services, home repairs and socialization programs for Sandy and thousands of other seniors each year.
Sandy grew up in Philadelphia, one of six children in an Orthodox family. As Sandy got older, her family started spreading out, and then shrinking. This led to Sandy seeing much less of her relatives, and eliminated family celebrations like Passover Seders altogether. Thanks to the KleinLife: Center City program, which Sandy has traveled to for many years from her Northeast Philadelphia home, she was able to see two of her brothers every week, welcoming Shabbat and continuing family traditions like Passover Seders with them and with the new friends she made.
Through the years, Sandy, who is now 96, has taken great pleasure in singing and dancing at KleinLife, and she appreciates the “good food and entertainment.” She regularly says the motzi before the Kosher lunch that is served each week, and thoroughly enjoys participating in the services led by Rabbi Beth Janus. Sadly, both Sandy’s brothers have passed away, one quite recently. “Even though they aren’t here anymore, I’ll still come to the program,” said Sandy. “The staff is very nice, and so are the people that come here. It’s nice to have the company. It’s a very good thing.”
