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CBI Hosts Seacrest Seniors
During FiresTorm 2007
Quick Links:
Letter from Seacrest Village
Thanks to Those Who Made it Happen
Read the article about CBI and Seacrest in Forward Newspaper
Read Firestorm Messages
As fires raged through San Diego and people fled their residences in record numbers, the CBI community came together to fulfill a role that could never have been anticipated. CBI hosted 130 seniors who were evacuated from Seacrest Village, a retirement community for Jewish seniors in Encinitas.
Over 100 CBI members showed up to volunteer and many others donated needed supplies. Many worked around the clock to ensure the comfort and safety of our Seacrest guests. All were rewarded with cherished memories of the experience.
(Click on the thumbnail photos below to see full-size images.)
On Monday morning Seacrest administrators placed a call for help to CBI on as they anticipated their evacuation. Without hesitation CBI responded by extending an invitation to the Seacrest residents and staff to make CBI their temporary home during the crisis. Rabbi Berk explained, "The Jewish way is to say yes and then figure out how."
An e-mail request for bedding and water went out and members and friends began to respond immediately. Several youth group members and a friend worked tirelessly to bring available sofas and bedding into the David and Dorothea Garfield Social Hall. CBI's staff aided in the effort to transform CBI into a relief center. A contingent of volunteers were there to greet the seniors as they climbed off their bus Monday afternoon.
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The first night, most of the seniors slept on napping pads borrowed from the Preschool and carefully made up with sheets, pillows and blankets that had been donated. Our Seacrest guests enjoyed a delicious meal and lots of individual attention. The Seacrest staff, CBI staff, clergy and volunteers made sure that the senior's needs were met. They were made comfortable and helped on and off their "beds." On Tuesday a request for matresses aired on television and within hours the Social Hall was filled with them.
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Bingo and other activities were added to Tuesday's schedule and a concert by CBI's "Chai Band" and members of the Youth Choir delighted our Seacrest guests and topped off a full day. Seacrest staff and volunteers alike agreed that the seniors did an amazing job facing adversity with grace and good cheer. They seemed oddly unfazed by the need for 130 people to share one room and that no shower facilities were available.
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As the seniors began to relax, friendships began to develop with the volunteers and fascinating stories were shared; stories of time spent in bomb shelters during WWII and the difficulty of life in prewar Poland. Several seniors referrred to their CBI experience as an enjoyable "slumber party" and others expressed the opinion that they were being treated like royalty. One woman who left to be with family wanted to come back!
(Photos by Emily Jennewein and Bonnie Graff)
As the seniors left for home on Wednesday, CBI volunteers realized that what had begun with anxiety and apprehension on Monday had developed into joy and friendship over three days. They had learned lessons about courage and dignity and about the importance of saying "yes."
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Letter of Thanks from Seacrest Village
Dear All—and by all I mean all of you, your amazing CBI staff, volunteers, choir, congregants and board,
Words cannot even begin to describe the tremendous gratitude and appreciation we have for all that you did for Seacrest in our time of need. Our residents cannot stop talking about their experiences; the many friends they made, the wonderful concert preformed by your choir especially for them, the fun activities, the delicious food, and the overall kindness and compassion shown by everyone involved from the congregation and community at large.
No one could have imagined the magnitude of this disaster yet being with all of you at Congregation Beth Israel brought a sense of comfort, relief and hope to our residents and staff. With your amazing assistance, we were all able to remain calm and make the most out of a very difficult situation.
As I reflect on what occurred over the past few days, I am amazed at the ways in which our residents coped with such adversity. It was a true test of their human spirit and I think you would agree they deserve the highest marks. That being said, there is no way this could have occurred without your swift response to accept our request for help—with no questions asked. As Rabbi Berk said, “the Jewish way is to say yes, and then figure out how.” And that is exactly what you did. We are extremely humbled and touched by your outpouring of love, support and generosity.
On behalf of our residents, staff, families, and board, I want to again thank you and your congregants for ensuing we had a safe and secure place to rest our heads and our hearts.
Shabbat Shalom,
Pam
Pam Ferris
President/CEO
Seacrest Village Retirement Communities |
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Thanks to Those Who Made it Happen
Countless CBI congregants, their friends and CBI staff volunteered their time, services and supplies to complete this wonderful mitzvah. Offers of help and supplies kept coming in long after all the needs had been met. All were greatly appreciated. The Seacrest staff of nurses also did an outstanding job of taking care of everyone and made our jobs so much easier. Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone of you who helped in any way. We are so lucky to be part of a community of individuals who care so much. We can feel proud of what we were able to accomplish by saying "yes" and then making it happen.
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