On the Home Front – and Beyond

Jewish Senior Living: What exactly is Jewish Senior Living Group? What is its role and function?

David Friedman: Jewish Senior Living Group will oversee and manage the various entities under its umbrella, and think in entrepreneurial terms about the future of other enterprises that’ll fit under that umbrella. JSLG will be diversified in its offerings and regional in outreach, with the same values, based on Jewish tradition, that have informed and directed the Jewish Home’s 140-history of care and services. What we’re doing – both strategically and concretely – is designed to reposition ourselves to be relevant and successful as America’s healthcare system undergoes an overhaul. This’ll ensure that the Jewish Home and other future entities are financially viable, and not subject to the ebb and flow of government subsidies.

Daniel Ruth: In essence, JSLG is the “parent” organization that the Jewish Home of San Francisco spun off to provide management services to the Jewish Home, Jewish Home & Senior Living Foundation, Moldaw Family Residences, and future operating entities. Equally important, JSLG will also serve as the real estate development arm to create new business opportunities that are consistent with the strategic vision to develop a broad and integrated network of Jewish senior living communities and services in the Bay Area, and that will address the changing and wider scope of older adults’ care, service needs, and interests.

Michael Adler: Part of our strategic visioning process was the recognition that, while the Jewish Home is the epicenter, the heart and soul of our initiatives, our concept for the future goes well beyond our Silver Avenue campus. From that was born Jewish Senior Living Group. Our model of compassionate care for seniors has evolved in the 140 years since the founding of the Jewish Home. Moldaw Family Residences in Palo Alto, which was sponsored and developed by the Jewish Home, is an example of this evolution.

JSL: Speaking of Moldaw Family Residences, can you give us an update on this senior living community?

Larry Marks: Moldaw is on a positive trajectory. Sales are up and the rate of reservations has increased as the real estate market in the Bay Area is in the process of recovering. As you know, the economy and the housing market plunged just as Moldaw was about to open its doors in 2009. As a result, a number of prospective residents were unable to sell their homes and move in. However, because the market has improved, we’ve seen positive results in our sales and are optimistic that we’ll be able to fill the facility in the near future.

Arlene Krieger: Moldaw residents are really thrilled with the lifestyle, the staff, and the quality of services that Moldaw is offering. It’s no secret that Moldaw had a very difficult beginning because of the ‘Great Recession,’ so we’re pleased that Jewish Home & Senior Living Foundation was in a position to not only provide seed funding to initiate the development, but also to assist during this difficult fill-up period.

JSL: What is the form and function of Jewish Home & Senior Living Foundation?

David Friedman: The Foundation is where the financial assets of Jewish Senior Living Group entities, such as the Jewish Home and Moldaw Family Residences, are held. It’s a legal construct created to oversee the assets and endowments of our services for seniors.

Daniel Ruth: As Jewish Senior Living Group looks to diversify, it’ll work hand-in-glove with the Foundation. JSLG will look to the Foundation to strategically provide seed capital as we evolve and implement our business plans on a regional basis.

Arlene Krieger: Our Foundation’s board consists of individuals representing the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation, Jewish Senior Living Group, the Jewish Home, Moldaw Family Residences, as well as members of the general community. Thus, all the various stakeholders in our community, including JSLG, have representation in our decisions.

JSL: What other plans are in the works for Jewish Senior Living Group?

Daniel Ruth: With tens of millions of Americans now guaranteed access to medical insurance through the Affordable Care Act, new, fully integrated and coordinated models of care will evolve, such as home and community-based services. To this end, we’ll continue to explore collaborations with organizations whose missions are similar to that of the Jewish Home’s, with the aim of extending the breadth and expertise of our care, programs and services so as to better serve constituent members.

David Friedman: We’re aiming to be both proactive and responsive to the services and care that our seniors need. We’re thinking about the next five to 15 years. Our initial focus is the Silver Avenue campus. We’re in the midst of re-envisioning the physical nature of the campus, as well as the services provided.

JSL: How will the Jewish Home’s Silver Avenue campus be transformed?

Daniel Ruth: First, let me say that we’re absolutely committed to continuing to serve older adults on Silver Avenue. By realigning the existing campus and, where necessary, replacing or refurbishing the aging elements of our infrastructure, we’ll be able to meet the changing needs of older adults we serve and respond to trends in senior living.

Michael Adler: Silver Avenue is a key asset of the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. Through our site re-master, now in the planning phases, we’re determining how we can evolve this campus to be more relevant to our Jewish community. We’re looking at the entire spectrum of services to the elderly, including independent and assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and outreach to the regions – providing services in the community that originate on Silver Avenue.

Daniel Ruth: Our goal is to have the Jewish Home’s national reputation for quality and innovation remain synchronous with modern centers of excellence that fit community needs and that’ll support our long-term financial viability.