Have you seen the new “Jewish Home Family” logo? Many have observed how appealing the logo is, but some have asked just what the “Family” is and what will be accomplished by the institutional restructuring that its formation heralds. Perhaps a little history is in order.
![[Jewish Home Family logo]](images/jhfam01.jpg)
The Jewish Home (then known as ‘The Hebrew Home for the Aged and Orphans’) commenced operations in Jersey City in 1915. In 1970, demographic changes required the simultaneous operation of the Jewish Home in River Vale, a much-needed 50-room nursing and rehabilitation facility. In 2001, after years of planning, fundraising and hard work, our community opened a jewel—the Jewish Home at Rockleigh—a state-of-the-art nursing, rehabilitation and adult medical day care facility. In 2007, the Rockleigh Home was joined by our new Assisted Living facility in River Vale, a beautiful and warm residence that has opened to rave reviews.
Yet there is more to come. The range of needs of our community’s elderly is not limited to those we currently provide. The ever-growing elderly population needs our help in order to remain at home as long as possible. Also, our elderly increasingly need assistance interacting with social and governmental agencies. In short, as a maturing senior care organization, we need to consider on an ongoing basis how to modify and expand our activities to benefit the elderly.
And that is where the Jewish Home Family comes in. As ‘parent’ of our existing and yet-to-be-formed institutions, the Family will be charged with responsibility for the long view. It will deliberate over what the next steps should be for our family of organizations. It will work to achieve economic synergies between its constituent organizations. It will attempt to foster effective interaction and efficiencies between our various Homes and their programs so as to improve the quality of services being delivered. Through it all, it will attempt to keep everyone focused on what we are: the vehicle through which northern New Jersey’s Jewish community cares for the elderly—compassionately and excellently.
It’s an important beginning for the Jewish Home Family. We have been given the opportunity to produce something lasting and good. And so we begin.