Markham Shluchim Rabbi Avrohom Plotkin and Rabbi Meir Gitlin recently got together to discuss and devise new programs to meet the needs of their growing community. A plan to develop and run a program that would bring joy and companionship to the high number of seniors in their area was on top of the list.
The result is two new programs being introduced, the “Sunshine Circle” and “Kids for Kindness.”
“This year we will be putting a stronger focus and emphasis on ‘Chesed’ – reaching out and helping someone,” explained Rabbi Gitlin, who along with his wife Esther, already handles a huge portfolio of responsibilities, that include developing and running classes and activities for pre-school, Hebrew school, Bar and Bat mitzvah, teens and high school students, young adults, Shul, community and seniors.
“We have programs and activities that cater to the elderly,” says Rabbi Gitlin, “but with the addition of this new initiative, our ability to help seniors will hopefully grow beyond even our own expectations.”
“People visiting seniors isn’t a new concept – in fact, there are several well established Chabad run senior visitation programs functioning under the names ‘Smile On Seniors’ (SOS) and Sunshine Club. We are hoping to use the knowledge and experience of these founding Rabbis and Rebbetzins who are already running successful programs in cities such as in Essex County, Phoenix, North Beach, Palm Desert, Conejo Valley and in Brooklyn to help us develop not just a visitation program – but an exciting, volunteer based, organization that visits and helps the elderly in their homes, in hospitals and retirement or senior living facilities.”
The goal is to pair up seniors with adult and teen volunteers for regular scheduled visits as well as to develop a full range of other specially tailored activities that younger children or school groups could participate in. Over time, Gitlin says, they plan to expand activities and programs to include more areas to accommodate the growing need and population of seniors. This will require canvassing new volunteers, having them go through extensive training and meeting with coordinators and the assisted living staff and/or family members, so they can be matched with a senior with whom they share common interests and a compatible personality.
“When it comes to chesed, we get back more than we give,” says Gitlin. “The programs ‘Sunshine Circle’ and ‘Kids for Kindness’ will bring a little joy and companionship into a lonely person’s life… and real meaning and satisfaction to ours. Everyone gains – The senior looks forward to their visit where they will get some special attention, and the volunteer – be it a teenager, adult or even a child – learns the value of giving and cherishes the experience of making a difference in an elderly persons life.”
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gitlin plan to have both programs up and running by Rosh Hashana.
The comment made by post 4,is as sad as it is cynical. Essentially, it was a mimicking of the sunshine club idea, it’s lack of originality,and its lack of glamarous appeal. Since when have morals and kindness to the elderly, Needed the wow factor, of pazzaz, power, wealth, prestige? That’s the very point, its non appreciated, under the raidar, humane and inherrent goodness, is the barometer of motive. Ie,who wants the good life, fame money, prestige, and who want to be their for others, even at the expence of not even being Remembered after a visit to The infirm. Or… Read more »
So proud!
To post 10. Your right …..they have a great program in place. But your confusion comes from not reading Rabbi Gitlin’s explanation. He mentions the concept needs broadening, so that the visitations will take place at personal homes, hospitals,retirement and senior living. Secondly, the planned expansion of the fantastic project, quality and quantitively aswell. This involves intense training of training the mediating teens, with the various age groups of those community volunteers. Finally this project, plans p.g. to be promoted in the broader and wider areas beyond the locality of the “chabad house” vincinity.! What you see in the pictures,… Read more »
Rabbi and Rebbetzen Gitlin you are amazing people. its very hardto find people like you who are so given over to the rebbes mission and to give the rebbe nachas
Why does the article say the Gitlins are starting up a program for elderly when based on all the pictures it looks like they already have an amazing program for seniors?
Excellent idea – Going to look into doing the same idea here by us – Thanks for the inspiration
sounds like a great idea! hope it works for these shluchim
I am always amazed at how much one can do and still find time to do more. How wonderful to have people in the world like you Rabbi Gitlin and Esther Gitlen. Hashem should continue to give you strength, and patience to do these wonderful things and reward you with nachas from you children. Amen.
The phenomenon project, underscores what the Shluchim Rabbi Meir & Rebbetzin Esther Gitlin, are all about.
Their is no prestige, money or great Kovod, in going to sometimes unpleasant smelling old age homes.
That’s what post 4 doesn’t get!
Its true ultruism,with “schar mitzvah ..mitzvah ”
particularly something that is not glamorous, but chesed at its finest.
Now that is emeser shluchim to be proud of and to emulate! ..halevai..
Wow! This is what the Rebbe wants Shluchim to do, you’re an amazing shliach and you make the Rebbe proud. Rebbetsin Gitlin you as well keep up the amazing work you and your husband do in Markham
Could this be the next big thing??? friendship circle for seniors??
the shluchim in Markham are a shining example of how all shluchim should act!!!
May hashem bentch you with the Koach to continue doing the wonderful work that you do. I feel honored to be your niece
BEST SHLUCHIM IN TORONTO!!!!