New Beginnings For The Aviv Center

By Nancy R. S. Diaz

Excitement is in the air!  The Aviv Center for Living’s JRC in Swampscott is moving in September to its new location in Peabody.  Private rooms with private baths, large closets and storage space for walkers and wheelchairs, and beautiful views from each window. A well thought out and beautifully executed mock-up had been on display on the second floor in the Community Room at the JRC on Paradise Road in Swampscott.

My Mom and I went to the demonstration and explanation and saw drawings of the coming event.  I was thrilled with the prospect of her moving to such a beautiful place.

I turned to look at Mom, but she was not happy and moved away from the mock-up.  I left to find her sitting outside of the mock-up in a chair by herself.  “I’m not going!” she said with a determined look on her face.  I took her hand in mine and tried to explain how she wouldn’t have to do anything.  Everything would be done for her and I would be there by her side.

“I’m not going!” she said again, not budging an inch.

I realized I had misjudged her reaction.  She didn’t want to change.  Everything was perfect, just the way it was.   At 93 years of age she was fearful.  Would she be able to find her way around?  Where would her friends be?  Who would be taking care of her? Where is the dining room? 

I look back at that time, it was 2010 then, and I remember my concerns about how my mom would handle this move.  My mom is gone now, September 2012 is almost here, and other changes would have upset her more.

Her heart would be broken as mine is, to hear that Alan Weisner of Swampscott will no longer be acting Rabbi after the move takes place.  Mom had not been to services for many years before moving to the JRC, until she met Alan.  His warm welcome inviting her to join the Saturday morning services in the chapel gave Judaism back to her.  She had never lost her “Jewishness,” just the ability to attend services and take part in prayer and song.

Alan made her feel comfortable enough there to have an Aliyah, a call to the Torah, and with tears in our eyes pronounced her a Bat Mitzvah.  She was thrilled as we sang Mazeltov and tossed candy at her feet.  Over the years I have seen other residents kvell with pride as Alan and the congregation joined in song and candy tossing in celebration of their Bat Mitzvahs.

I miss my Mom, but I continue to attend services there. We listen as Alan teaches us about the Torah portion to be read that day and how it relates to us today.  The careful way he bends down while carrying the Torah around the congregation and patiently waits so that our elders can touch it in blessing.  

Alan has also taught Hebrew to six-year-old Lilly, the grandchild of one of the residents, and shown her how to open and close the Ark, where the Torahs are kept, on days she was able to join her grandfather at services. Alan’s background includes years as a teacher at Cohen Hillel Academy and Solomon Shecter Day School of Greater Boston, and Educational Director at Rabbi Zev and Florence Nelson Religious School and Cohen Hillel Community Jewish High School.

According to Dr. Ed Berman, who has been reading the Torah for the past 29 years as a volunteer at the JRC, “. . .Shabbat morning service will be piped live into Woodbridge.”  I feel that this impersonal approach could never replace the warmth and kindness that Alan freely gives to all.  He holds each of us close to his heart; his wisdom and generosity of care envelops us.   It is hard for me to imagine watching Shabbat services on television, albeit a live broadcast.  I can hear my Mom asking, “Do I need to wear a Yarmulke?”

The excitement of the move still fills the air, but Alan will be sorely missed as the JRC moves on to its new beginning.