We believe that life’s most meaningful moments deserve to be celebrated, no matter when they arrive. From milestone ceremonies to seasonal traditions, our community makes space for joy, connection, and the kind of memories that stay with you. Here are two celebrations that captured that spirit beautifully.
Mazel Tov to Our 103-Year-Old Bat Mitzvah!
When Leona Rothfeld and her twin brother came of age nearly a century ago, the ceremonial celebration was typically held only for boys. So, while Irving became bar mitzvah in Brooklyn in June of 1932, Leona’s role that day was directing guests to their synagogue. “It just wasn’t done,” she says. Although Leona understood that it was simply the way it was, she never forgot about it, and always felt that something was missing from her life. “I wanted to celebrate my bat mitzvah, too,” she said.
Ninety years later, while speaking with her rabbi here at Gurwin, Leona mentioned her lifelong dream to commemorate her bat mitzvah. To her delight, the rabbi agreed, and our Gurwin staff helped make it happen. Just days after her 103rd birthday, during the 100th anniversary year of the first American bat mitzvah, Leona’s dream was fulfilled in a service officiated by Rabbi Rafi Batashvili in the Gurwin synagogue, surrounded by family, friends, and her Gurwin neighbors.
“My son told me this is the perfect time to do it,” Leona says. “He said we just remove the ‘0’ from 103, which makes 13. It was meant to be this way!” She was delighted to finally have the opportunity.
Also celebrating with Leona were her three sons, David (East Islip, NY), Phillip (Michigan), and Elliott (Bellmore, NY), along with several of her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. “I’ve thought about this for so many years,” Leona said. “I figure if not now, when?”
Leona’s celebration is a beautiful reminder that at Gurwin, meaningful moments don’t have an expiration date. Whether it’s a milestone 90 years in the making or an annual tradition that brings residents together, our community makes space for joy in all its forms. That same spirit of celebration shines through every season, including a very special Sweetheart’s Day when we honored the love stories that have shaped the lives of our residents.
Sweetheart’s Day 2022
Every February, our Gurwin community pauses to honor something that never grows old: love. This year, we celebrated the beautiful, enduring love stories of our residents with a heartfelt stroll down memory lane. Couples shared their stories, and the room was filled with laughter, warmth, and more than a few happy tears. It was a reminder that the bonds formed over a lifetime remain just as meaningful here at Gurwin as they were on day one.
From our Gurwin family to yours, wishing you a day filled with love and joy.
Life at Gurwin is about more than exceptional care. It is about belonging to a community where your story matters and every chapter deserves to be celebrated. If you would like to learn more about assisted living at Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences, contact us or schedule a tour today.
