Chanukah lights up seniors' faces

What joy it was to play dreidel, sing songs, and eat latkes with seniors who may not have any other opportunity to this year.

"Chanukah has always been one of my favorite holidays. This past month my love for Chanukah was solidified. Seeing seniors' faces literally 'light' up when the familiar tunes they sang so many years ago were heard, brought such feelings of pleasure," stated Julie Levitt, program director for the Jewish Pavilion. Levitt planned over eight Chanukah celebrations for residents in senior facilities throughout the Altamonte Springs and Maitland vicinity.

Thanks in part to VITAS and Cornerstone Hospice, wonderful volunteers and supportive facilities, the Jewish Pavilion was able to create new memories around the menorah this year. Penny D'Agostino, Walter Goldstein, and the kindergartners from the Jewish Academy of Orlando entertained at various venues and brought such smiles to all.

The candles may have burned down, the dreidels may have stopped spinning but the internal happiness that was made will never be forgotten.