Celebrating light and hope

JFS Boulder celebrated Hanukkah with community members at 11 older adult communities in Boulder County this year. Volunteers, local rabbis, Boulder JFS staff members, and facility staff worked together to put on a full celebration complete with candles, songs, and traditional fare. 

Many individuals who live in older adult communities may not have the transportation to go to synagogue for holiday services, some may not be affiliated with a specific synagogue, and others may not have family nearby to celebrate. To help bridge the possible gap of loneliness and the lack of connection to celebrate meaningful holidays and traditions, we are honored to offer holiday services. Music and textile objects are known to trigger memories and for many individuals who are struggling with their memory this is a wonderful opportunity to feel engagement and connection with their Jewish faith and the people in their own communities who either share the same values and traditions or want to learn more.  

Volunteers also find these events meaningful. Nate, a 12-year-old young man who comes with his congregation to Hanukkah parties at Golden West shared, “It is fun to engage with the residents—and hear how their lives are so different from ours.” 

Thank you to those who helped local older adults observe and celebrate Hanukkah this year:  

• Irit Alkalay  

• Sandi Apfel 

• Craig Balder 

• Dave Bernstein 

• Carolyn Bleicher  

• Sandy Bornstein 

• Barbra Cohn 

• Zachary Dumas 

• Lisa Ginsberg 

• Alaine Gluck 

• Ed Kass 

• Alyce Kitt 

• Joe Lukasik 

• Diane Madigan 

• Sheila Malcolm from Congregation Beth Ami 

• Rabbi Rosalie Osian 

• Jennifer Quercioli 

• Karla Reiss  

• Rabbi Marc Soloway and Congregation Bonai Shalom Be Mitzvah students 

• Sue Tessler 

• Evie Verderber  

• Trader Joe’s of Boulder for in-kind donations of food and beverages  

Communities who celebrated Hanukkah with us:  

• Academy Boulder, University Hill 

• Brookdale Meridian 

• Brookdale North Boulder 

• Flatirons Terrace 

• Frasier Meadows 

• Golden West 

• MorningStar of Boulder 

• Peaks at Old Laramie Trail, Lafayette  

• The Lodge at Balfour, Louisville 

• The Pearl at Boulder Creek (former Carilon) 

• Sunrise of Boulder   

Thanks also goes to the Har Hashem congregation. On December 15, JFS Boulder staff worked with families at Congregation Har Hashem in Boulder to create table decorations for our Hanukkah gatherings. Kids and youth created paper accordion menorahs to brighten up holiday tables, which will be donated to the facilities afterward to keep the spirit of the holiday in view.  We love partnering with local organizations to meet our goals!