Our community has many organizations offering a range of services for physical and spiritual needs. However, for seniors, support often focuses on physical issues, neglecting spiritual and emotional fulfillment. Yet many seniors crave spirituality just as much – if not more – than younger people. Since 2011, The Golden Network (TGN) has focused on addressing the spiritual needs of seniors.
The
Genesis of The Golden Network
While at the Greater Washington Community Kollel, I
noticed a lack of opportunities for learning and social interaction among
retirees. Many wondered how to use retirement to grow spiritually. I considered
how to reach all seniors: providing companionship to the homebound, learning
opportunities at home, and connecting those in non-Jewish facilities with their
heritage. It became clear there was a lack of spiritually focused programs for
seniors. After meeting with community leaders, The Golden Network was established
in September 2011.
The
Early Days
It was a challenge to decide where to start. With a few
hundred facilities across the area – including nursing homes, assisted living
facilities, memory care and skilled nursing facilities, independent living, and
senior communities – who would be our target audience? I first needed to become
acquainted with the different venues and learn how to connect with the
residents and work with the staff. Over time, we decided to focus primarily on
serving assisted living facilities. We began scheduling regular programs at
these facilities, sometimes as often as weekly. It took some effort to gauge
the needs and interests of each audience because of the wide disparity in health
and cognitive levels among the participants. Our team has learned to navigate
these challenges and does well adjusting to and reaching a broad array of
participants. Our goals for each program are to bring residents out of their
rooms to be with others and to enlighten them with a thought or concept that
they can further contemplate and explore. Many of our participants have
commented that we “really got them thinking.”
I realized early on that we needed to incorporate music
into our programs. Most people appreciate music, and sometimes there is no
other way to connect with them. Many local professionals with musical talent
have performed for our seniors. I learned to play the guitar for this specific
purpose. Many seniors say they recall melodies or words of Jewish songs that we
sing, sometimes not having heard them in decades. To date, we have offered
thousands of home visits, hundreds of classes, and performances at over 40
locations in the Baltimore and Washington areas. Since TGN’s founding, the
breadth and reach of our programming have grown significantly, testifying to
the extent to which this population needs our services.
Visitation
and Companionship
Today, over 50 volunteers visit more than 100 seniors,
building ongoing, meaningful relationships rather than one-time
connections. Some of our volunteers visit multiple people, while others
prefer to connect with just one person. In addition to our many adult
volunteers, we partner with local schools to arrange visits from middle and
high school students to community seniors.
Visits are tailored to the person, some prefer learning,
others companionship, outings, or music, especially those who are unable to
communicate. We assess each visit request to best match needs and monitor
situations as they change, recognizing that each case is unique.
Facility residents may still feel lonely, especially in
non-Jewish settings where they lack connection to their heritage. The daughter
of a man in a non-Jewish facility was distressed when she learned that the
staff took a picture of her father, a 100-year-old observant Jew, wearing a
Santa hat. They didn’t know any better and thought he would like it. She
pleaded with me to provide visits to her father.
Our visits support physical and emotional health. Some
seniors even reschedule medical appointments for visits, calling them a form of
“medicine.” We also offer end-of-life support to seniors and their families.
A successful home visit depends on care and sensitivity,
not just the outcome. Respecting a senior’s needs, such as leaving if it’s a
bad time, shows you care. This is true even if you traveled 30 minutes each way
to see this person. Why? Because you showed them that you cared and did not
want to intrude at a bad time. Visitors prioritize the senior’s happiness,
staying flexible to their needs. Ultimately, it’s not about what is best for
the visitor. It’s about what is best for the person being visited.
People often avoid visits for lack of time, but short
visits or greetings make a big difference. A brief connection is better than
none. If it’s hard to connect, don’t be discouraged; many seniors have busy or
stressful schedules. Keep reaching out; your support matters.
Too many homebound seniors rarely receive visitors,
despite their past community involvement. Even a short visit or call can make a
difference. Reach out to those who might appreciate companionship. Many respond
positively to simple gestures of friendship.
Programs
Lunch and Learn: TGN
offers its own Lunch and Learn program at Young Israel Shomrei Emunah in Kemp
Mill and at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion. The presentations at these programs vary
widely. We’ve had many local rabbanim and speakers from the health fields.
Participants also shared their own experiences. There is often a musical
performance.
MTC: Men’s Traveling Chaburah: MTC
is a men’s weekly learning group that rotates among members’ homes. It
includes a singalong, making it accessible and fostering discussion.
Buddy Network: TGN’s
Buddy Network pairs people for companionship, providing reassurance and
support, especially during isolation.
Sefer Torah: A
generous sponsor enabled our members to help complete a sefer Torah, bringing
this unique mitzva to many homes and facilities. The joy and emotion at these
events were palpable. We are deeply grateful to the sponsor.
Shalach Manos: Each
Purim, we deliver hundreds of shalach manos to seniors, who are moved to
be remembered and cared for, often receiving no other packages.
Transportation: We
attempt to ensure that all participants needing rides to our programs find
them. We recently launched a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, made possible by
Mr. Harold Feld in memory of his wife, Mrs. Becky Feld, a”h. This helps
us provide rides for simchas, facility discharges, and other important needs.
Baltimore
Programs
A few years ago, we were asked to visit someone in
Baltimore who was unable to communicate as a
result
of a stroke. The family observed that he seemed responsive to music – that he
would begin to smile and get emotional when it was played for him. This brought
TGN to Baltimore, and we began learning of others who needed visits. For years,
TGN has offered the full array of programs, including a monthly Lunch and Learn
program at Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion.
A Baltimore participant, volunteer, and speaker, Dr.
Yehuda Frager, said, “I first attended the Baltimore Chaburah last June and
soon began teaching and playing guitar with Rabbi Leigh at weekly sessions. Participants
are encouraged to join in the discussion, and we’ve performed together at Lunch
and Learn events. I gave a Chaburah shiur on Ketores, a subject I’ve
taught for decades, and recently spoke about it at the June TGN Lunch and
Learn. Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz will be the next speaker.”
For
more information, visit
goldennetwork.org or contact Rabbi Leigh at
301-732-1773.
