22 South Adams StreetDenver, CO 80209

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Kavod Senior Life, a 501(c)3, publishes this free newsletter 3 times annually. This is issue 3 for 2018. Kavod Senior Life is located at 22 South Adams Street, Denver, CO 80209. No agencies or business mentioned in this newsletter received any compensation for use of their information or logo.

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Sunday, June 23, 2019at Temple Emanuel

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Thank you to The Denver Agency who volunteered to help serve ice cream to Kavod residents and their families!

NEWSLETTERFall 2018/Winter 2019

IN THIS ISSUEPAGE 3Assisted Living Expands Services to help residents enjoy life to its fullest.

PAGE 5Staff Spotlight: Makhammet Nuriyev recently celebrated his 13th anniversary as a proud member of the Kavod family.

PAGE 3Memories in the Making is a LinkAGES intergenerational collaborative with DU students & residents.

Kavod Names Dining Room After Elaine WolfElaine Wolf’s name is synonymous with generosity and Kavod Senior Life. Her early efforts helped launch the organization, and she has continued to help it to grow and flourish over the last 47 years. Kavod’s main dining room has now been dedicated in Elaine’s name because of her continued support.

Kavod spoke to Elaine about her ongoing involvement with what originally was Allied Jewish Apartments. Elaine shared that she grew up in a single-parent home with a hard-working mom who sacrificed everything for her and her sister, Irma. After her marriage to her late husband, Melvin, and his continued business success, she knew it was time to give something back.

“I heard they were building senior apartments,” Elaine shared in an informal interview. “I thought, why shouldn’t there be one for Jewish people?”

Elaine worked with other community leaders, the City of Denver and the Federal Government to build the first Kavod building in 1971. She, Bob Loup, Phil Winn and others saw the project to completion and even interviewed and welcomed the first residents. The apartments were available to low-income seniors, regardless of faith or background.

Continued on page 4

People often ask me what my typical day is like running Kavod Senior Life. With over 400 residents living in our independent and assisted living apartments, 1,000 community members and a multitude of volunteers, family members and vendors, you can imagine that there is plenty to keep me busy.

What makes everything come together is our wonderful staff. We have almost 100 full and part-time employees, and everyone does his/her part to help Kavod shine. Our many departments work well with one another, from our care coordinators to our maintenance staff to our assisted living care partners to our dining room staff; they are all here to help our residents “age in community.” My senior management team is second to none. They are seasoned and innovative; they are dedicated and compassionate.

This past year we created the “Mentsch” Award for team members who really model our organizational values of commitment, excellence, respect and compassion. In 2018, we presented this award to five front-line staff who were nominated by their peers or supervisors for going above and beyond.

These individuals show by example how they are focused on our mission; in fact, one honoree, Makhammet Nuriyev, Dining Services Manager, is featured in this publication. With so many others following suit, we know more awards will be earned and presented in the future.

Sometimes there is a high level of stress in this industry with the many issues surrounding an aging population. What often turns a stressful day into an enjoyable one is when we spend time with the people who live here. I often join one of the residents’ tables for dinner and get to witness how resilient they can be and learn what they enjoy about being at Kavod. We talk about all kinds of things, from politics to Sudoku. After a recent dinner visit, one resident said, “Thanks for joining us tonight. We can tell you and your staff really care about what happens to us and it makes us feel safe.”

Comments like these motivate us to help our seniors remain independent and enjoy life. And while the residents reap the benefits of this work, the truth is…so do we.

That is what it is all about!

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MESSAGEfrom the President & CEO

Michael Klein

Kavod Goes Gold! GuideStar is a national nonprofit organization that provides detailed information on charities for donors to use for research about funding decisions.

Kavod has just obtained the GOLD seal of transparency.

Look for our profile at guidestar.org/Profile/8255898.

This seal ensures that Kavod has accurate, detailed and available information for donors or individuals making charitable gifts.

What makes everything come together is our wonderful staff. We have almost 100 full and part-time employees, and everyone does his/her part to help Kavod shine.

”

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Th ank you to our donors! July to September 2018

z”l = zichrono livracha/ of blessed memory

* = in-kind donation

ActivitiesShamrock Foods Company*Robert & Barbara CohenPerry Moss

Area of Greatest NeedSheldon GoldbergStacie & Jeffrey HochstadtBonnie MerensteinSeth & Rivka Weisberg, In Memory of

Ruth Weiss, z”l

Assisted LivingBud & Syril Newman, In Memory of

Rita Sobel, z”lSyril Newman, In Memory of James

Berezin, z”l

Dining Room/BistroJackie Frazin, In Memory of

Harriet Hankin, z”lKatie & Chad Johnson

Health & Wellness CenterMichael & Wendy KleinBernice Fallik, In Memory of

Eunice (Shorty) Barbre, z”lMichael & Wendy Klein, In Honor of

Rachel Cohen & Peter PaulGaile Weisbly Waldinger, In Honor of

Rachel Cohen & Peter PaulGaile Weisbly Waldinger

Kavod on the BlockHazon, Inc.

Kavod on the Road PartnershipCongregation B’nai ChaimDenver Chapter of HadassahDenver Public LibraryHebrew Educational AllianceL.E.A. Chapter of HadassahThe Jewish ExperienceBMH-BJ Women’s League

L’Chaim! Conference Barbara & Fred CoxInge LevieJoseph & Marian MasonMarilyn MishkinRachel PollackRosalie RichterRuth & Jim SharonWesley & Sherry Stark

Let The Good Times Roll – Summer Event 2018(Donations received after June 30)Anti Defamation LeagueHal & Esti ApplebaumMichael & Julie BelieuKarla & David BermanMorton & Florence BlagerCongregation Rodef Shalom, In

Honor of Rob FriedmanJodi CooperMichael & Julie EberDavid & Linda FogelSenator Joyce FosterSarah GolombekRoberta & Stan GrimesStanley & Toby GinsburgAndrea Hyatt, In Honor of

Burt & Lee LevyJewish Family Service of ColoradoJewish National FundArthur & Kathy JuddLinda KalatSheila & Bob KarshMichael & Wendy KleinNancy KoontzSteven KreismanLee & Burton LevyFrances Miran Art & Arlene MossLegacy Healthcare ServicesLee & Burton LevyLawrence & Joni LitvakMichele LueckFrank & Debbie PiazzaRenee & Andrew RaabeHarold RosenConnell & Laurie SaltzmanGabriel SandersShalom ParkJohn SkahillJoey SimonMarlene SiegelSarah Strapp ProstakMichael & Pegi TouffGary WagnerEric WaldingerGaile Weisbly WaldingerSandy Wolf & Robert GoldLouis WolfeYeshiva Toras ChaimMolly Zwerdlinger

SHULMarsha Brandt, In Memory of

Kay Brandt, z”l Anne Fink, z”l Phyllis Fink, z”l Martin Fink, z”l

Betty Price, z”lTatyana Blumkina, In Memory of

Michael Blumkin & Rachel Blumkin, z”lBernice Fallik, In Honor of Muriel & Bruce Bayroff Casey Bogner & James Zach Bogner Bruce & Ann Fallik Audrey & Howard Fallik Pat McDonnell Golda WeissJanice Lettas, In Memory of

Harriet Hankin, z”lHerzl & Hazel Melmed, In Memory

of Rachel & Ralph Field, z”lSofya NimirovskayaGaile Weisbly Waldinger, In Memory of

Lillian & David Weisbly, z”l Gaele & Phillip Weisbly, z”l Ida & Sam Levine, z”l Ethel & Harold Morris, z”l Ann & Arnold Berman, z”lVivian Weinstein

Van Sandy BrownMichael CohenVivian EpsteinCathleen Hall, In Honor of

Gaile Weisbly WaldingerKatie and Chad JohnsonCherie Kirschbaum, In Honor of

Rachel Cohen & Peter PaulJoyce KohnIntermountain Jewish News, Inc.,

In Memory of Harriet Hankin, z”lLinda Limon Raisa Nikolayevsky, In Memory

of Anna Shnayderman & David Glikman, z”l

Myra Schneider, In Memory of Charles & Minnie Schneider, z”l

Fern Romanoff, In Honor of Rachel Cohen & Peter Paul

Irene Rosen

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Legacy Society

Kavod Senior Life

What will your legacy be? Create your legacy & support Kavod’s mission!

Contact: Gaile Weisbly Waldinger at 720.382.7819 or GWaldinger@KavodSeniorLife.org

Live On: Build Your Jewish Legacy, an initiative of Rose Community Foundation, and LIFE & LEGACY™, a partnership program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, have joined together to strengthen the Greater Denver/Boulder Jewish communities by encouraging endowment building and legacy giving.

Since its inception in 2017, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Health & Wellness Center has become a crucial hub of health services for Kavod residents and the broader community. The center continues to grow in its services and offerings as follows:

Weinberg Center: A Winning Approach

Community OutreachBecause of its popularity, Kavod hired a Health & Wellness Coordinator to book appointments with providers and conduct more outreach into the neighborhoods surrounding Kavod. The goal is to attract older adults living nearby to access the providers and services offered at the center.

Another new grant-sponsored program is called Kavod on the Block. Funded by Hazon, the event will bring in neighbors during the summer of 2019 to enjoy entertainment, a farm-to-table demonstration with a Denver chef and other fun outdoor activities.

New ServicesIn 2018, Dominican Home Health, a physician assistant from St. Anthony’s and a RN from Broomfield Public Health provided wellness clinics and wellness checks. With the other existing providers, residents can get their vitals checked weekly.

Rose Medical Center also provides a quarterly Health Education Series; topics are based on resident requests.

New LanguagesAfter noticing an increase in Farsi-speaking refugees on campus, Kavod launched a tea time support group twice per month in Farsi through partnerships with Maria Droste Mental Health, the Colorado Health Foundation and the Spring Institute. The group format allows individuals to share experiences with each other, and one-on-one counseling appointments are available.

“We are dedicated to provide services to our residents without barriers to language, abilities or any other perceived obstacles,” says Mandie Birchem, Director of Health and Wellness.

Kavod LegacySociety MembersDaniel Bennett and Devorah UrielRabbi Stephen Booth-Nadav*Rachel Cohen and Peter PaulRobert and Deborah Friedman*Dr. Kerry HildrethMichael KleinPerry and Susie MossJamie and Jon SarchePenelope Soll*Steven and Loraine SummerGaile Weisbly WaldingerMolly ZwerdlingerAnonymous

*New members

Kavod has added more support services in Assisted Living to help residents enjoy life to the fullest.

Scheduling is now provided on Fridays and Saturdays, a service which was formerly offered from Sunday through Thursday. With these added days, residents have more help making outside appointments, scheduling activities and arranging transportation.

Additional staff hours were also allocated to offer more and new life enrichment activities for Assisted Living residents, such as creative discussion groups and arts/crafts projects.

The number of trips provided every month in Assisted Living continues to stand out. Residents go on all kinds of excursions, such as trips to the Botanic Gardens, Georgetown and even Grand Lake!

“We have seen an uptick in activity attendance from these services,” reports Jennifer Grant, Director of Assisted Living. “We receive a lot of positive feedback about our new program offerings. Families benefit by communicating with both schedulers and our Care Coordinators. We are glad to provide these positive changes to best support our residents and families.”

Assisted Living Expands Services

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Memories in the MakingAs the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and that was certainly true at the memory/photography project that took place at Kavod this fall. As part of the LinkAGES intergenerational collaborative, students from the University of Denver were paired with Kavod residents to talk about favorite photos and associated memories.

In addition to the wonderful connections, the project will culminate with a gallery exhibit at Kavod. Keep up with us on Facebook to see when the exhibit is up for viewing!

Painting a bird house, an arts/crafts project in Assisted Living

Assisted Living and Senior Living residents exploring Dinosaur Ridge

DU students with Kavod resident

Assisted Living residents enjoying high tea at the Brown Palace

Intergenerational connections

4

Developm

entCORN

ER

Kavod Names Dining Room After Elaine Wolf, continued from coverNot surprising, her mother, Lillian, who served as the founding committee’s secretary, was one of the first to move in. It was just the kind of place Lillian needed.

“It was the happiest time of her life,” Elaine shares. “She had company and felt like she was a contributing member of a community and was able to relax. It was a godsend.”

Elaine remains humble about her efforts. “I never did anything by myself. There were always people to help,” she says. But she also notes what drives her to continue giving. “I never did it for me; it was always for the residents. I wanted more for them. And when I want something, I go after it.”

Over time, Elaine helped champion the additional two Kavod buildings, served as Board chair, advocated for adding Assisted Living and – fast forward to today – just completed a $150,000 matching grant to help upgrade the Kavod dining room into a warm, modern space.

Kavod celebrated Elaine at a party on September 17, where residents, staff and community members were able to express their gratitude. With all of her contributions, naming the dining room after Elaine is a small token of Kavod’s appreciation for all her time, devotion and investment to make Kavod what it is today.

Guest Columnist: Rick Boxer Boxer & Associates, CPAs, P.C.

Are you 70.5 or older?Here’s an easy way you can contribute to Kavod Senior Life.If you are age 70½ or older, IRS rules require you to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) each year from your tax-deferred retirement accounts. This additional taxable income may push you into a higher tax bracket and may also reduce your eligibility for certain tax credits and deductions. To eliminate or reduce the impact of RMD income, charitably inclined investors may want to consider making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from an IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity, as described in the QCD provision in the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts distributed as a QCD can be counted toward satisfying your RMD amount for the year, up to $100,000, and can also be excluded from your taxable income. This is not the case with a regular withdrawal from an IRA, even if you use the money to make a charitable contribution later. In this scenario, the funds would be counted as taxable income even if you later offset that income with the charitable contribution deduction.

Why is this distinction important? If you take the RMD as income, instead of as a QCD, your RMD will count as taxable income. Having higher taxable income can directly impact your eligibility for certain deductions and credits. For example, your taxable income helps determine the amount of your Social Security benefits that are subject to taxes. Keeping your taxable income level lower may also help reduce your potential exposure to the Medicare surtax.

As a Lifetime Board Member of Kavod, I strongly recommend you considering the qualified charitable distribution. It is a great way to help yourself and Kavod at the same time.

I never did it for me; it was always for the residents.

“

”

Elaine Wolf (left) talking with Kavod residents at the dining room dedication party

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Staff Spotlight: Makhammet NuriyevMakhammat Nuriyev—known as Mohamed to residents and staff—is Kavod’s Dining Services Manager who recently celebrated his thirteenth employment anniversary. Each year adds to the pride he feels to be part of the Kavod family.

Mohamed was originally hired as a part-time dining room server. At that time, he did not speak any English.

He had just arrived in Denver from Russia— resettled by Jewish Family Service of Colorado—though his childhood roots are in Uzbekistan.

After a tumultuous journey and starting a new family, finding employment at Kavod became a driving force towards self-fulfillment and accomplishment. Little did he realize that the time he spent in the kitchen with his uncles in Uzbekistan provided him with the tools he needed to develop his new career.

With encouragement from his supervisor, Mohamed

learned English and was soon recognized for his charisma, drive and a willingness to take on more responsibility.

He worked his way to his current position, where he oversees a team and coordinates meal service seven days a week. Mohamed is the decorating genius who transforms the dining room into a festive space for holidays and special events.

Mohamed has a personal philosophy of treating people with respect, being patient and understanding, providing explanations, making changes when necessary and creating a joyful and colorful space where residents want to come. His philosophy and wide popularity with residents led to him receiving an inaugural Kavod Mentsch Award in 2018.

But the award is a small token to Mohamed. “It makes me happy when I see people happy, when they leave the dining room happy,” he shares. “That is thanks enough.”

Mohamed receiving the Mentsch Award

Politicians Visit Kavod CampusKavod’s Resident Council worked with staff to invite political candidates to speak to residents and answer questions. Four individuals came for visits during the summer and fall, including both Attorney General candidates, Phil Weiser (D) and George Brauchler (R), as well as both Congressional District 1 candidates, Casper Stockham (R) and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D). Each politician shared his or her leadership plans and talked with interested residents about pertinent issues.

Kavod Joins Housing Panel at Conference

Each year, the NOW! Annual Conference of Housing Colorado brings affordable housing professionals together for educational and inspirational workshops. The 2018 event was held in October and Kavod’s CEO, Michael Klein, co-presented a panel with representatives from Douglas County, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Warren Village. The panel spoke about the benefits of wraparound support services for individuals living in low-income housing.

Congresswoman Diana DeGette speaks with residents

Michael Klein (far right) included on Housing Panel