Fundraising page for The Reutlinger Community

Dear Friends,

Once a month I meet with any new employees and teach them a bit about this special place, The Reutlinger Community. I always start my presentation with the TRC mission statement:

The mission of The Reutlinger Community is to provide high quality health care and social support services to seniors in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment with a commitment to Jewish values.

I begin by giving a brief overview of the Jewish People—how our story began approximately 4000 years ago, when G-d called Abraham and told him to “Go forth to a land he did not know,” and continued as Jewish people moved to different places throughout the world and developed new customs, often influenced by surrounding cultures. I teach about Jewish practices such as Shabbat, holidays, kashrut [keeping kosher], and different life-cycle rituals. I end my presentation by focusing on the phrase, “with a commitment to Jewish values.” I explain that some important values that guide us here at TRC are the following:

· Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (V’ahavtah l’rey’acha k’mocha)

· Be kind to and welcome the stranger (hachnassat orchim).

· Honor your father and your mother. (kibud av v’eym)

· Understand that everyone is responsible for one another (arevim zeh l’zeh)

· And finally, treat others with dignity (Kavod).

These values truly define what happens here at TRC. We see this every day with the kindness and compassion with which our whole staff cares for our residents. I see these values in operation when our Executive Director goes above and beyond drives a resident to the doctor, for example.

Such acts of kindness, caring, and kavod happen thousands of times a day here at The Reutlinger Community, even though most of the time they are not witnessed by anyone. Acting in these ways is simply part of the culture, and I am so glad it is. And because it is, I know that TRC is fulfilling its mission, and more. What a special place it is.

Rabbi Zari M. Weiss