Three deserving individuals were presented with awards at this year's Jewish Council for the Aging® (JCA) annual meeting. The Jacqueline Unger Community Service Award went to Marianne Miller, SHIP volunteer. Marianne has volunteered at SHIP for more than ten years, predating JCA’s “6 years-and-counting” stewardship of the program for the County. This speaks to her dedication to supporting seniors. The Ruth Breslow-Young Award was given to Davd "DVD" Doroheng. DVD is beyond outstanding - he is essential to the transportation program, and no job or trip is too big or too small for DVD. The David Gamse Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual in the DC area who demonstrates passionate commitment to older adult issues. JCA proudly presented this award to Mr. Isiah (Ike) Leggett, former Montgomery County Executive.

Marianne Miller

Davd Doroheng

Isiah (Ike) Leggett

This month JCA is having solar panels installed on the roof of the Ann L. Bronfman Center at Parklawn Dr. The panels will offset 30% of the electricity use in the building. Unlike installation on a private home roof, the panels rest on a framework that supports the weight. The 20-year fixed price electricity cost will save money for JCA and help reduce greenhouse gas production. A win-win! Thank you to JCA's Transportation Center Director, Moti Galil, for inspiring the project and to Mark Berman, Don Silverstein, and Jeff Lipson for helping to coordinate with various parties to make this project happen. Electricity will start to flow in November!

Come learn about the impact JCA has in our community in a 45-minute Zoom “tour of our mission.” You might be surprised at what you hear as we introduce you to our CEO, board president, a Career Gateway graduate, an Interages volunteer, and a Kensington Club activity leader. Reserve your spot for October 20 at 4 p.m., November 2 at 9:30 a.m., or November 17 at 4 p.m. We really would love to meet you! 

Thanks to KC member family the Bordys, the Parklawn patio now has two large planters and armchairs for added enjoyment of the outdoor space. Club members appreciate the opportunity to spend some time in the fresh air and interacting without the need for masks. As fall approaches, KC @Parklawn would be grateful for any donations of potted mums or ornamental cabbages. Please contact Colleen Kemp if you have any items you would like to donate to the Kensington Clubs.

The Beacon newspaper is happy to return to in-person 50+Expos this October after two years of online events.

Dozens of informative exhibitors will provide helpful information, answering questions about retirement communities, home remodeling, financial planning, healthcare, travel, fitness, senior services, and more. A variety of vaccines will also be offered. Details are available at the expo website.

Kensington Clubs, Interages®, and Arts for the Aging

In July, Arts for the Aging teaching Artists completed a four-week workshop series in partnership with JCA Interages and the Gorlitz Kensington Clubs Morning Mavens members. Participants of all ages came together to explore commonalities, personal expression, and identity, through creative movement, poetry, and visual art. They developed connections between the generations by creating group poetry together, and the words generated were used to inspire creative movement—a living sculpture. Last, they incorporated the individual and group artwork to create a beautiful dangling sculpture of portraits that the participants drew of each other. In the process, students expressed themselves through art and learned more about their adults partner, who live with a diagnosis of early-stage dementia. See the video here.

Visit us at AccessJCA.org.