Judy Banai
Participant, JDC’s Supportive Community for the Elderly

In 1946, when Judy Banai left her hometown of Chicago to make aliyah to pre-State Israel, she was only 22 years old and newly wed. As Judy describes it, the journey from that time until the present day has been an exciting and interesting one, in terms of both her personal life, as well as the nation’s history.

Click here to view a video of Judy Banai.

While residing in Israel’s northern region, Judy became a mother, then a grandmother, and is now also a proud great grandmother. However, for the past 20 years, Judy has been living alone. The Supportive Community for the Elderly in the Upper Galillee has enabled her to remain relatively independent in the comfort and familiarity of her own home in Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch (near the northern border), and for this Judy is extremely grateful.

Judy speaks unhesitatingly of the difficulties and challenges brought on by aging: from changing a light bulb, through forgetfulness, to fears and anxieties related to living alone. Therefore, providing a Supportive Community for Judy and others like her means not only responding to a range of practical needs, such as emergency and medical services, and maintenance and daily living assistance, but also addressing recipients’ emotional needs, through a social framework, where participants are given access to a variety of activities and outings.

JDC’s Supportive Communities are a partnership between JDC-ESHEL, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the local municipality, and the local association for the elderly. Skilled professionals, affiliated with these institutions, provide services at a nominal cost to participants. To supplement, volunteers are engaged to help ensure participants’ overall well being.

Those involved in the Supportive Community for the Elderly bring to their mission a sense of genuine care and a personal touch.

May 2007