“The heart of the mission has remained remarkably consistent for 80 years: caring for Jewish seniors with dignity, compassion and respect, while creating a place where Jewish values, traditions and community are part of everyday life,” Ricki Thal, executive director of the Louis Brier Jewish Aged Foundation, told the Jewish Independent about Louis Brier Home and Hospital.
The home invites everyone to its 80th anniversary celebration on Sept. 2. The event will honour “past board presidents, visionary leaders and members of our community whose dedication helped build and shape Louis Brier,” said Thal. “Together, we will celebrate the legacy of the past, recognize the people who made it possible, and look ahead with excitement to the future of Louis Brier and the generations to come.”
Community members will recognize most, if not all, the names of the people the Brier will be honouring: Arnold Abramson, Victor Elias, Myer A. Goldberg, Brent James, Rose Mikelberg, Ron Rozen, Dina Schweber, Gary Segal and Lee Purkin Simpson, and the late Sam Bass, Lorne Cristall, Jack Diamond, William Gelmon, Florence Goodman, Lenard Hyman, Esmond Lando, Sam Levi, Leon Lotzkar, Mark Nussbaum, Herschel Porte, Bernard Reed, Sam Rubin, Sam Shine and Abrasha Wosk.
Louis Brier Home and Hospital was established in 1946. The foundation came later, in 1978, and it funds programs and services required by the Brier and the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg (of Baltimore) Residence, which opened next door in 2003, offering assisted living and multi-level care units. The two facilities comprise the Dr. Irving & Phyliss Snider Campus for Jewish Seniors. According to its website, the foundation “also raises funds to support research and education in the field of geriatric care.”
“At its core, Louis Brier has always been about caring for people with compassion, dignity and respect. While that commitment has never changed, the way we deliver that care has evolved as our residents’ needs, healthcare and our community have changed,” Thal told the Independent. “Today, we have a much stronger focus on working alongside residents and families, embracing new ideas, learning through research and always looking for ways to do better. Our goal of becoming a centre of excellence reflects our desire to not only provide outstanding care, but to contribute to the future of long-term care.
“We also recognize that creating a truly caring environment means caring for everyone who is part of Louis Brier. That includes building a culture where people feel respected, included and safe, and where the health and well-being of our staff is valued,” she said.
Louis Brier was created by Jewish community members who recognized that Jewish seniors deserved a place where they could age with dignity while remaining connected to their culture, traditions, language and faith.
“The Jewish community has been at the heart of Louis Brier from the very beginning,” said Thal. “It started with 14 community members [the Hebrew Men’s Cultural Club] who had a vision for a home for Jewish seniors and, for 80 years, that support has continued through generous donors, volunteers, families and community organizations. The community has helped provide not only financial support, but also programming, Jewish traditions, advocacy and, most importantly, a sense of belonging. Louis Brier really is a reflection of the community’s commitment to caring for its seniors.”
Thal only recently took the helm of the Louis Brier Jewish Aged Foundation, replacing Ayelet Cohen Weil, who joined Weizmann Canada in April to be its regional director for Western Canada. Thal came to the foundation from the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, where she was associate director of the now-provincial organization’s annual campaign. When asked her hope for the Brier, she said, “I hope Louis Brier continues to be a place where Jewish seniors feel a true sense of home, community and belonging. I want to build on its 80-year legacy while looking ahead, strengthening care, supporting our staff, engaging the next generation and ensuring Louis Brier remains a vibrant and important part of the Jewish community for many years to come and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Some of the challenges the home faces going forward stem from the fact that people are living longer and their care needs are evolving.
“As British Columbia’s population ages, including our Jewish community, the demand for long-term care will continue to grow,” explained Thal. “Residents are entering care later in life with increasingly complex medical, cognitive and social needs. To meet these changing realities, we must continue to strengthen care through innovation and technology, support and invest in our workforce, expand capacity and ensure Jewish seniors have access to care that reflects their culture, traditions and values.
“Ensuring long-term financial sustainability is equally important. Government support remains essential, and the strength of our community continues to play a vital role … our community has consistently stepped up when called upon, demonstrating a deep and enduring commitment to caring for our seniors.
“As we look ahead to the next 80 years,” she said, “our goal is not simply to preserve Louis Brier’s legacy, but to build on it continuing to evolve, innovate and help shape the future of compassionate, culturally meaningful long-term care.”
Thal invites the entire community to join the Sept. 2 celebration, which will take place at Congregation Beth Israel, starting at 6:15 p.m. For tickets, go to louisbrier.com/news/celebrate-louis-brier-80th-with-us.