THANK YOU TO FAYE NOVICK
The Jewish Pavilion wishes to thank Faye Novick for her two successful years as the Chairman of the Board.
She was presented with a custom plaque designed by local artist, Judith Segall. Judith specializes in Judaica and Hebrew lettering. Recently, one of her art works was gifted to the new Embassy offices in Jerusalem, so we, at the Jewish Pavilion, feel fortunate to have an artist of her caliber in Central Florida. She can be reached at 407-331-5008 or judyorlando@cfl.rr.com
Pictured is Faye Novak and Judith Segal with the Woman of Valor Award
Join the Jewish Pavilion Mask Challenge
By Wendy Ring Levine and Nancy Ludin
Jill Goldsmith is a home seamstress who learned to sew as a girl and continues to sew items that bring her joy and comfort. She has a small home-based business making one-of-a-kind handbags. When the virus first appeared Goldsmith looked at fabric stash and realized she could make washable, home-sewn masks for friends and family. (These are not masks a front line care-giver would use). The requests came in faster than she could sew. At the same time, her friend Deanne Schott, put out a request for sewers to make masks for a nursing home. This inspired Jill to think about the Jewish Pavilion and the community it serves. With the help of
Joanne Fink from Zenspirations, Goldsmith created a Facebook page and group to support the seniors served by the Jewish Pavilion. She spoke with Nancy Ludin at the Jewish Pavilion who contacted the facilities served to see if masks were desired. Within a minute, one Executive Director requested 200 masks for his senior–living community.
While writing the article, Ludin received a call from an Activities Director at a senior facility who begged for twelve masks for her staff.
To learn more about this effort, go to the Facebook group, Jewish Pavilion Mask Challenge,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/579109062683073/
The group needs sewers! You do not need to be a seamstress to do this. You can help by cutting out patterns for the people you know that do sew! Jill has learned that just one yard of fabric will yield about 12 – 14 masks. The Facebook page has links to patterns and invites comments from sewers to help each other.
Before getting involved with this project, Nancy Ludin contacted Jewish Pavilion board member, Dr. Lee Adler, who is an Infectious Disease specialist. He was the former Vice President of Quality and Safety at AdventHealth Central Florida Division. Adler explained that the issue of the general public wearing masks is still being explored by the CDC. There is currently an insufficient supply, so the priority for now remains emergency responders and healthcare workers who have the greatest exposure. However, the transmission of the virus is possible two or more days before
an individual becomes symptomatic. So, wearing the masks may protect the seniors against healthcare workers and other residents who may carry the disease. Adler explained that the main transmission for COVID-19 are respiratory droplets. The face mask serves as a potential barrier against the droplets and therefore reduces the likelihood of virus transmission and disease. Adler adds “ Social distancing (at least 6 fee), hand hygiene and
disinfectant are still the most effective methods to reduce spread of infection.”
Go to the Facebook Jewish Pavilion Mask Challenge and sign up now! Once the masks are made they can be delivered to the office of the Jewish Pavilion. Nancy Ludin, Jewish Pavilion CEO will distribute them to the facilities.
Nancy Ludin says the masks look terrific. The Jewish Pavilion is happy to distribute them to senior communities beginning with Brookdale Lake Orienta who made the first request. Masks can be dropped off at the office by appointment at 421 Montgomery Road suite 131 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. You can contact Ludin by email or call 407-678-9363.
Jill Goldsmith and her team of sewers are our Jewish Pavilion Heroes during a difficult time. To contact Jill send her an email,
or contact through the Facebook group noted above.
Cards, notes, drawings, and
letters of love for our secluded seniors.
ecently the COVID-19 Corona virus caused elder-care facilities to ask their residents to shelter-in-place and for the most part remain in their rooms. The Jewish Pavilion put out a call for help and has been receiving and delivering hundreds of notes, letters, drawings and cards from people of all ages from all over the country. You can help too. Just send any number of cards to The Jewish Pavilion, 421 Montgomery Rd #131, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 and we will distribute them to residents in Central Florida facilities. Thank you to all that have helped!
Free Lunch for Senior Workers- Press Release
At the Jewish Pavilion we love our seniors, and we so appreciate all that
the staff who work in elder- communities are doing to keep their residents
safe and happy. Thanks to our generous donor THE PARGH FOUNDATION and Andy Pargh, the Jewish Pavilion is offering a free lunch to all of the staff members numerous elder-care facilities throughout Central Florida. They have provided food at Brookdale Lake Orienta, Brookdale Dr. Phillips, Cascade Heights in Longwood, Savanah Court in Maitland, and Windsor of Celebration and Encore of Avalon Park are tentatively scheduled.
Staff members are greeted by a Food Truck from Toasted; a Winter Park restaurant . The company provides delicious sandwiches featuring grilled cheese; such as grilled cheese and brisket, grilled cheese and chicken etc. Staff will also receive two sides; macaroni and cheese and salad, as well as a beverage and a cookie.
The Jewish Pavilion is a non-profit that provides seniors of all faiths with loving companionship. The charity also offers Jewish holiday and Sabbath programs, musicales, grief support and more. Their Orlando Senior Help Desk provides free information and referral for seniors and their family members.
“The senior communities are not allowing visitors at this time” says Nancy Ludin, CEO. Therefore, we are trying to reach our elders and their staff members in other ways. In addition to this food truck event which will occur bi-weekly until money runs out.
The Jewish Pavilion is also asking community members to write letters and cards to seniors. These cards can be sent to the office. The Jewish Pavilion will ensure that cards and letters are promptly distributed to elder care communities.
The Jewish Pavilion is also collecting home- made face masks for seniors and bringing them to facilities. The sewing pattern is on their Facebook page.
Contact: Nancy Ludin
407-678-9363
421 Montgomery Road Suite 131
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
REMEMBERING WALTER "SKY" GOLDSTEIN
Many of you know Walter Goldstein from his work for many years with The Jewish Pavilion. As a program director, he brought so much to seniors in Central Florida. For an amazing 16 months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we witnessed a miracle. Walter had two Thanksgivings, two Chanukahs, two New Years, his sister's birthday, his mother's birthday, his wife's birthday, a Passover, his 50th birthday, his son's 21st birthday, two reunions, some travel-he's lived all of his wishes, and has blessed so many of us.
Even after his diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer, he was still visiting as many seniors as he could, bringing smiles and music. After a very long fight, "Karaoke for the stars" now has a new host.
Sky is survived by his wife, Helene, and his son, Bradley. He is also survived by his mother, Lynn and his sister, Penny and her husband, David.
At 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2020, Walter Goldstein (Sky) began his new career. He is in heaven leading karaoke for the stars. He brought us light, love, music, endless smiles and joy. Thank you all for your love, prayers, support, and generosity. We know you are all broken hearted as we are, but he wished only laughter and light. No tears.
The Heritage Jewish News story can be found at https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2020/03/20/features/walter-goldsteins-celebration-of-life-was-all-music-laughter-and-light/12964.html
Celebrating a wonderful life.
Sometimes sad things happen in beautiful ways. Ways that make you think about the blessings in your life. Ways that make it important to tell those that you love how special they are, and times that let others tell us how much we are loved. It is a horrible thing to receive a terminal medical diagnosis, but a beautiful thing to spend the time you have left making memories and dreams come true.
Walter "Sky" Goldstein had a beautiful voice and a constant smile. He brought light into every room he entered. He was a program director for the Jewish Pavilion and for several years went to independent-living, assisted-living, and rehabilitation facilities to share his light. He did fun programs, designed a "Jewish music bingo" game for them, sang to them with his sweet and powerful voice, brought them joy, food, and traditions, and made them feel that they were still part of the Jewish Community. The love they gave him in return was immeasurable.
The Heritage Jewish News story can be found at https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2020/03/20/features/walter-goldsteins-celebration-of-life-was-all-music-laughter-and-light/12964.html
Congratulations to Nancy Ludin, one of Orlando - The City's Magazine's Women of the Year 2018
To the 1,500 Jewish residents of about 74 senior living centers in Central Florida, Ludin helps provide an ongoing connection to their spiritual and cultural roots.
“Whether it is recruiting volunteers or sponsors, networking at community events to find additional service providers, or personally making in-room visits to residents, Ludin has made it her life’s mission READ MORE
Remembering Harriet Lake-
It is with sadness and great affection, we bid farewell to a true woman of valor.
A woman of valor makes the world change
Her strength is the content that guides through the days
Defined by her actions that bring light to all dreams
Valor is something that's defined by her deeds.
Her valor is golden, sparkled and gray
She stands up to the challenge no matter the way
It can't be held back or defined by her age
Yes, a woman of valor makes the world change.
Harriett Lake, local philanthropist and patron of the arts, was a true woman of valor and all of Central Florida is a better place because of the changes she made to our world. Harriett and her dearly departed husband Hymen devoted much of their lives to enriching our community through support of the arts, Jewish programming, and numerous other worthy charities and educational institutions. The Lakes were some of the earliest supporters of the Jewish Pavilion and Harriett has maintained this generosity throughout the years. We were honored to visit Hymen for many years at Arden Courts to provide him with companionship and Jewish Celebrations.
Harriett expressed her appreciation for the work of the Jewish Pavilion and the Orlando Senior Help Desk and was often provided with vital information. We spoke with her regularly regarding home health care and nursing services and she recently commented about how she was so busy helping others, that it was wonderful to have someone help her.
Her passing on July 10, 2018 was a great loss. She will truly be missed, not only by our community but by all of those here at the Jewish Pavilion. Harriett is survived by her two children, Michael and Shelly.
To remember her, you can make a donation to the Jewish Pavilion HERE and a beautiful tribute card will be sent to the family.
Her legacy will not be forgotten.
Memorial Service will be held graveside on Friday, July 13, 2018 at 11am at Ohev Shalom Cemetery in Winter Garden.
We did it HIS WAY
Mel Goldstein's Story
By Penny Goldstein D'Agostino
He loved. He loved to sing. An accomplished vocalist before his teens, he sang his whole life. He loved his Sigma Rho brothers at Miami High School. He loved his fellow congregants at the Lindenhurst Hebrew Congregation where he served several presidential terms. He loved the Lindenhurst Fire Department where he served several terms as captain of the Rescue Company. He loved the Town of Lindy where he served several terms on various zoning committees. He loved owning Boltin's Formal Wear and Travel and he loved those that he met and worked with there. He loved Delray Villas Platt 3, where he served on the board & as a committee chair. He loved the Guys & Dolls - the chorus he organized and directed, that at times numbered more than 50 senior singers. But mostly, he loved his family & friends. He loved his parents, aunts uncles cousins. He loved his brother, sister, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. He loved his friends, all of you! He loved his daughter (Penny) and son (Walter), daughter-in-law (Helene) son-in-law (David) and certainly his grandson (Bradley), and most of all he loved his wife (Lynn). They would have been married 60 years on October 15. And because of him, we had someone to love back. He will be remembered and missed, because he loved.
His name was Mel (Not Mr. Goldstein – he would say that was his father’s name), and he was much more than just another man who wandered in and out of so many lives, leaving so many hearts touched with smiles and joy.
He was my father, and those are the words I spoke at his funeral following his passing this week.
My father truly was a great man.
He had a way of being intimate, (not in a romantic way), with everyone he befriended. He was a big man, but he was also a large presence touching thousands of lives. He saved lives, delivered babies, mentored people, helped them thru difficult times and loved them all.
Understand my family is Jewish and traditional, but often we are much more than the conventional definition of those words. The reason for it was my father, and his infectious zeal for life. The man would simply never miss a party. Tell him there was a get together of friends and family, or even if he heard about one, he was right there. If there wasn’t one coming up, he’d create one to fit the mood. He loved to cook, eat, entertain, and have people and music around him.
In the end, it was music that gave us what will always remain some of the most cherished and memorable moments of our life with him.
On Friday, July 20, we were told that there was nothing that could be done to prolong his life. Doctors weren’t even sure how or why he was still conscious. As a family, we were prepared for news of this nature, as this wasn’t the first time he’d been told that he had limited time. He was given 6 months to live some 17 years ago, but he was stubborn, strong and resilient enough to answer back every time with a “not me, and not this time because I still have things to do and life to live”.
What made him so unique in the medical world was his status as one of few men who fought diabetes, structural issues, infection and breast cancer and won, time and time again. In 2017, he was in a nursing-center for 7 months, and few of us believed he would ever see his beloved home again. Even then, he proved us wrong and wrung his fist at fate. Three weeks after he went home from the facility, he performed the Heimlich maneuver and saved a woman’s life in a restaurant. That’s the man he was.
However, in 2018, things would be different. In our world, he was everything. He was indestructible, the Superman who could, and would, defeat this foe every time. Although, even those with superhuman traits must reach the end, and we prepared for his final battle.
The traditional Jewish mourning period is known as Shiva. In this generation, it is usually observed after the funeral for 3-7 days. We were all prepared to sit Shiva, but we missed something.
This was Superman. He wasn’t about to fly away so quickly.
When doctors told us he needed hospice immediately, we called in VITAS. They are an amazing team of individuals, who provided palliative care in the most respectful of ways. My father’s oncologist said to call my brother and at least get him on the phone with my father. This despite she didn’t believe he would even be able to recognize his family at this stage. It was out of our hands, and we had no idea if he would last a day, two days, or perhaps much less.
Yep. Superman had something else in mind.
He wanted to go home. “OK", we said, “let’s go home”. We set up a hospital bed in the living room so he would be right where he wanted to be. He wanted friends and family around. “OK”, we said. Within minutes, there were 30 people bustling in and out of my parents’ small villa. He wasn’t done, and had one more surprise in store. He said, “You have no idea what I’d give for my children to sing to me”.
My brother wasted no time. He broke out his computer, attached it, and the thousands of songs he had stored to perform in Elder-care facilities, to the TV in the living room so that we could see the words to sing along, and the music started to flow. We sang for the next 5 hours. We only slept when our eyelids became too heavy and we had to grab a few hours to rejuvenate.
On Saturday, he awoke and flatly stated “Today is not the day. What time does the concert start?”
Again, in and out paraded friends and family, each wanting a moment to personally say to him how much they loved him, and hear him tell them the same. The music started at 7pm and went non-stop for another 5 hours before we had to rest.
Sunday, he opened his eyes and proclaimed, “Today is not the day. Who’s coming and are we starting music at 7?”. We gladly struck up the band yet again.Monday started the same. The cousins drove in. The neighbors came by. We could see he was getting weaker, but there was still plenty of fight remaining. We were singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel”. He was dozing on and off, but when it came to the high note at the end, he wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to be part of the show.
Then Tuesday dawned. We all knew something was different. My brother Walter and his wife Helene had to return to Orlando and fulfill numerous obligations. They reluctantly said their farewells, and hit the road. Mel was waiting for them to go.
By Tuesday evening, he no longer had the strength for music, or much else. He was fading. By Wednesday, he was becoming agitated, mostly sleeping, and didn’t say much. The incredible hospice nurses helped keep him calm and out of pain. By Thursday he woke with a rally, saying he wanted to ride his motorcycle (a street legal medicare power rider he used to get to the therapeutic pool down the block). He said he felt good. Sadly, that lasted only about 45 minutes, and he was rarely lucid at all after that. Friday, we all said our final farewells.
On July 28, 2018, Superman returned to Krypton. Undoubtedly when he arrived, he took a chair set out for him and started playing poker with his family. We’re sure he’s sharing plenty of smiles and plenty of tales that were his hallmark.
He passed around 6am on Saturday morning, quietly, comfortably, and in no pain. My mother was with him.
For many people, all they sadly have are memories of a loved one bidding farewell in a somber and quiet manner. For our family and friends, we experienced the love and joy of a man who simply wasn’t ready to go, and wasn’t ready to leave behind anything but smiles.
This was his week. This was his way of bidding farewell. He got to be at his own Shiva. We spent a week telling stories, remembering him, surrounded by food, love and an outpouring of emotional support. Mel never missed a party. He certainly didn’t miss this final one.
We, and he, did this his way.
Please make memorial tribute donations to THE JEWISH PAVILION.www.jewishpavilion.org/donate.
August 29, 2018 would have been his 79th birthday. We are honoring him with a memorial concert from 2pm-3pm at Brookdale Lake Orienta in the Garden Room. Penny Goldstein D’Agostino and Walter Goldstein (Sky Walters) will be performing. The address is 217 Boston Ave. Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. For more information please contact The Jewish Pavilion at 407-678-9363 for more information. This is a free event open to the public.
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