| News & Notes - October 2026
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L’Shana Tova!”
In celebration of Rosh Hoshana
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I’ve come to bring you this gift bag and wish you L’Shana Tova!” said Karen Hochhauser, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County (JFDC), as she greeted Jewish LCC residents for Rosh Hashanah. Each bag included a homemade card made by participants in The Arc Greater Hudson Valley program, a cloth-covered apple, and a Jewish festival calendar. The apple recalls the tradition of dipping apples or challah bread in honey and reciting a blessing for a sweet new year. A cloth apple was chosen in keeping with LCC’s dietary restrictions.
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Karen describes the Jewish Federation, now more than 50 years old, as “a small non-profit with a big heart, making a big impact. We are all about community…with an emphasis on helping those in need.” Her motto, Mitzvah All Year, encourages good deeds, kindness, and generosity throughout the year.
That spirit inspires projects including Pack the Party, Pack the Purse, 25 Days… 25 Mitzvot (honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11), and Hanukah in August. Learn more at Jewish Federation of Dutchess County.
Karen also offered to arrange for Sandra Mamis, a volunteer, to return on the eve of Rosh Hashanah to sound the Shofar for three residents, a tradition marking the end of Yom Kippur. When a resident was offered this opportunity, she paused as she tried to remember it. When Karen mimicked the trumpet’s three calls, her eyes lit up. Smiling, she said, “Yes, thank you…that would be nice.”
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Spiritual Care Director Rev. Kelly-Ray Meritt shared with Karen LCC’s quarterly Celebration of Life service, a time when residents, staff, and families remember those who have passed. Karen offered to find someone to accompany the resident who sings Kaddish whenever a Jewish resident is being honored. We warmly welcome another voice.
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Story Circles...A New Program for ResidentsTales of Imagination and Inspiration
Twenty years ago, Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi and Muriel Horowitz started Story Circles to bring people together through stories from their faith traditions. As Lorraine says, “Telling stories is an innate part of being human and can be as casual as a daily ‘debriefing’ of work woes over a pint of beer or as formal as a well-crafted fairy tale.”
When Lorraine invited Pastor Randy Prentiss, LCC Assistant Chaplain, to offer Story Circles to residents, he immediately saw the possibilities. On September 24th, residents gathered in a circle to hear the familiar story of Noah’s Ark.
Imagining life aboard the ark invited residents to enter the story and explore what it meant to them. Some recalled times when they felt called to take responsibility; others reflected on the passage’s spiritual themes and their meaning in their own lives.
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Judith appreciated hearing the different perspectives of other residents from diverse backgrounds. Asked what she would do if she were in Noah’s sandals and told to build an ark, she replied, “Why me!” She wondered how much the women aboard had to do and how the raven and dove managed among the more aggressive animals. Raised in a Masonic family, Judith connected the rainbow and the promise after the flood with vivid memories of an elaborate initiation ceremony she took part in as a teen. She recalled girls dressed in white, seated in a semicircle, each lifting a streamer toward the altar to form the colors of the rainbow.
Irene was glad to participate with two of her daughters. “I found the discussion and insights valuable from beginning to end.” One daughter, Barbara, talked about the unusual and beautiful sight of seeing a rainbow from above the clouds on Mt. Washington, NH.
Another Irene said, “The two ladies leading it were great…a very interesting discussion! It got me thinking about the characters and their viewpoints. Who was the woman behind Noah, and who took care of the animals and plants?” She added, “As you get older, you have a different perspective than when you first heard these stories.” She looks forward to the next gathering.
Ellen also thought it was wonderful…”it made you think and feel…it was very real. The women were wonderful in how they encouraged you to add to their side of the story.” She too can’t wait for the next time.
Story Circle will be presented again in December with a new theme.
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| Discussion leaders: Muriel Horowitz , Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi and Rev. Randy Prentiss.
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Walk to End Alzheimer's!
Join us for Walkway-Over-the-Hudson:
Saturday, October 17 @ 10AM
Families and Community Welcome.
Sign up in the Lobby.
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Trunk or Treat Cars will be located in the back parking lot
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Trunk or Treat
Back by popular demand!
October 23rd from 5-8 PM
Join the fun...decorate your car, come in costume, give out treats to families, residents and the community. Or, simply trick-or-treat!
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Consider a Gift to Lutheran Care CenterAs a not-for-profit organization, Lutheran Care Center welcomes gifts - all of which will directly support our residents. Click here to donate online (you may designate your gift in honor or memory of someone) or mail it to: Megan Holton, Administrator, Lutheran Care Center, 965 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
We are grateful!
Thrivent members may direct Choice Dollars. After logging in, choose The Lutheran Care Network, Scarsdale, NY. Your gift will be credited to Lutheran Care Center, Poughkeepsie.
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