The Kollel’s M.B. Glassman GOLD Division for Seniors held numerous Chanukah programs throughout Denver. The Kollel held a pre-Chanukah program, entitled Chanukah: True Thanksgiving at Brookdale-Mountainview Senior Living, Heather Gardens Adult Senior Community, Shalom Cares, and Springbrooke Retirement. Kollel Senior Educator Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher delivered a talk on the thanksgiving of Chanukah. The talk was followed, at most of the locations, by a candle-making activity, where attendees got to create their very own Chanukah candles. At Springbrooke, a latka-tasting was held instead of the candle-making.
“I wouldn’t have missed this program for anything!” exclaimed one participant at the Springbrooke program, explaining that she had already enjoyed attending a GOLD program Rosh Hashana time that had focused on the symbolic foods of Rosh Hashana.
During the actual Chanukah holiday, the Kollel held a number of Chanukah candle-lighting programs: at Brookdale-Mountainview Senior Living, Brookdale-DTC Senior Living, Heather Gardens Adult Senior Community, and Springbrooke Retirement. At each program, one or two Kollel families, including their children, briefly discussed Chanukah, lit a menorah, and sang Chanukah songs with the residents. The candle-lighting was followed by the children distributing chocolate Chanukah gelt (coins) to the residents.
“It was nice that the Rabbi came to us and brought his family,” said one resident.
“Many thanks to everyone who came to Springbrooke on Tuesday evening (for the Chanukah candle-lighting),” said Cheryl Baldwin, Springbrooke activity director. “Residents enjoyed the program.”
The GOLD program also got children involved. At the Brookdale-Mountainview candle-making, middle-school students from DAT (Denver Academy of Torah) attended the program and helped the residents create their Chanukah candles. And, on the final day of Chanukah, DAT kindergarteners made a surprise appearance at the end of the weekly Monday GOLD Lunch & Learn program at the East Side Kosher Deli, where they sang Chanukah songs for the participants.
GOLD director Joyce Litzman explains that the Chanukah programming is part of a year-round program to bring the joy and meaning of the Jewish calendar to Jewish seniors. “Whenever there’s a Jewish holiday, we try to bring an interactive program that will allow participants to connect with the holiday. A Kollel rabbi discusses the holiday a bit, and we have something related to the holiday that allows everyone to connect – from latkes on Chanukah to an interactive program about the Ten Plagues on Pesach. Those who participate really appreciate being able to take part in celebrating and enjoying the holiday. It’s really gratifying to see how much the seniors enjoy these opportunities.”
