Senior Citizen's Center - 2023

Many independent seniors are lonely and the immigrant population has it even more difficult. Their advanced age and the language barrier prevent them from adapting into Israeli society. While their children are earning a livelihood and their grandchildren learning in school, they find themselves homebound and lacking productive occupation. Research shows that loneliness has a grave impact on older people's longevity, their physical and mental health, and their quality of life.

The Russian – Ukraine conflict brought an influx of thousands of elderly refugees. After a harrowing journey, they arrived with the clothing they were wearing plus a few meager belongings; whatever they could carry with them. Being uprooted from everything they are familiar with is challenging at any age, but the strain of resettling is acute when seniors are involved. Although grateful for being safe; they have to start their lives anew.

Many elderly live on meager allowances they receive from the Ministry of Welfare which does not afford them very much. They are in need of nutritious food and help.

Chamah created for these seniors a healthy, warm and happy environment. Housed at the Chamah Community Center, one hundred seniors enjoy the Senior Citizens Center. Here, they are dignified members of society contributing to their own well-being and to the community at large. They enjoy the activities in the company of each other thereby combating loneliness. Some members of the Center are World War II Veterans and Holocaust survivors. Elderly refugees participate as well.

The Center is open daily from 9:00am till 2:00pm. A wholesome breakfast is served. The lunch menu is devised and includes all the food groups. It is freshly cooked on premises and is served hot with the seniors enjoying the meal together at the dining room.

Seniors enjoy a variety of activities carefully planned to target this sensitive age group. Keeping in mind the importance of promoting good physical fitness, exercise programs such as "sit-fit", yoga, and others are held. Various lectures and courses are brought into the interest of the seniors. Activities around the Jewish calendar are held and celebrated. Birthdays are celebrated. Arts and crafts programs are held. The seniors enjoy excursions to sites in Israel. They enjoy music and concerts that are held at the Center and of those that they are treated to at the local cultural center.

A special choir program was developed.

The program director not only organizes the programs but keeps in touch with the seniors inquiring into their wellbeing.

For these people, there is no substitute for this program.