The following article ran in the Queens Jewish Link and Bukharian Jewish Link.
This year, the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center celebrated Chanukah in a big way, both for their residents and community seniors.
Each night of Chanukah, the menorah was lit by Rabbi Zavel Pearlman with the participation of residents in the beautiful main floor synagogue at the facility. Each night, the lighting was followed with treats of doughnuts and/or latkes.
On Thursday of Chanukah, the annual party was held with Rabbi Pearlman; Linda Spiegel, Director of Public Affairs; and Ricardo Rosa Sola, Recreation Director; along with his staff and a DJ, delighting residents. Beautiful and thoughtful, handmade, student-created donations were delivered for the residents from Yeshiva Har Torah, spearheaded by Tina Adler, a parent at the school. Also, children from the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates decorated bags with keychains to be distributed, an undertaking spearheaded annually by Yael Schreiber. Community member Mr. Izzy Root secured donations of hats and socks from generous Queens and Five Towns families and joined residents with personal encouragement and added excitement to the program with his signature dance moves.
Much thanks is extended to these individuals for inspiring their school, synagogue, and community to bring the true spirited joy of the holiday to the appreciative seniors at Margaret Tietz.
Margaret Tietz shared the holiday in turn with many seniors in the community. At the close of the year, the center sponsored a holiday party at the Young Israel of Forest Hills Senior Center. Hindy Chanales, Program Director, did a wonderful job pulling this together with her great staff, bringing together the seniors for the first time since the pandemic in a beautifully decorated atmosphere.
Margaret Tietz supplied the musical entertainment, latkes, Danishes, and fruit to enhance the gathering. Linda Spiegel coordinated these events and was so excited to see many faces once again in-person.
At Commonpoint Queens, Central Queens Y, Margaret Tietz brought latkes, applesauce, doughnuts, and the works for the program, in coordination with Shelly Channen, Director of the Senior Program. Thanks is extended to staff member Barbara Becker Bruno, AVP Older Adult Services, for her efforts. Many were given the honor to light a candle, including Mrs. Spiegel who was particularly touched.
At the Young Israel of Queens Valley Senior League, under the leadership of Alan Gumbo, Margaret Tietz closed out the holiday with seniors who have long been on very restricted quarantine protocols. There was a very happy buzz in the room with everyone catching up. Musicians provided a festive ambiance, and Margaret Tietz once again brought holiday staples for all to enjoy. Many in attendance commented how this had been their first holiday latke.
Margaret Tietz was very glad and honored to bring the joy of Chanukah to so many.
