KCOA continues on

Two years ago, the two towers comprising Kinneret Apartments were sold to a private developer and manager of low-income housing projects. Having been built 50 and 40 years, respectively, earlier, the apartments needed a more complete renovation. The trustees studied the issue extensively and determined that this transaction represented the best option for financing such a project and thus maintaining the residents’ quality of living.

Not long after completion of the Kinneret Two tower at the end of the 1970s, the building’s trustees formed the Kinneret Council on Aging, with the initial purpose of providing a Kosher dinner program five nights a week. Over the years the new group’s services expanded to provide programming ranging from social, health and fitness to Jewish-themed education and holiday celebrations. The services changed and evolved over the years as broader demographics and generational cultures of the residents changed.

With the sale of the buildings, the management function now has ended. The intricate process of making a fundamental change of mission from property manager to a same-minded charitable foundation seeking to fund programs and projects benefitting primarily Jewish Seniors in Central Florida continues, with a goal of being operational in 2025.

In the meantime, KCOA lives on. Part of what made Kinneret such a high demand property during the sale process were the unique services that KCOA provided the buildings’ residents. As a result, the new owners asked KCOA to continue providing these services.

Currently, KCOA is providing residents of Kinneret Apartments with numerous food programs, including breakfast twice weekly, a food pantry, weekly bread deliveries and prepared lunches four days a week for those with the greatest needs. Health and fitness remain another focal point, with weekly chair exercise classes, informational programs presented by outside healthcare providers and insurers, and health fairs. Musical programs, movie nights and arts and crafts provide additional engagement and socialization opportunities.

Jewish holidays continue to be observed through religious, educational, and musical presentations. And of course, a Kabbalat Shabbat service is held most Friday afternoons, courtesy of KCOA volunteers, some of whom have been dedicating their time for as long as 30 years. Morris Rashi led services for residents nearly every week during much of the 2000s and 2010s. Neal Blather has come out for residents on countless Friday afternoons, as far back as the 1990s, and continues to do so to this day. In recent years, Cantor Nina Fine has brought a more musical Shabbat service to Kinneret residents, and our newest volunteer, Cary Siegel, now leads Shabbat services on a regular basis as well.

To learn more about Kinneret Apartments and Kinneret Council on Aging, please visit: http://www.kinneretcouncil.org.