JFSLA Senior Centers: A Dynamic Environment of Activities and Resources

Jewish Family Service LA’s Senior and Multipurpose Centers have reopened, providing arts and wellness classes, free lunches, spaces for social interaction, and an opportunity for older adults to connect with a social worker to receive critical services and referrals to community resources.

“The biggest challenge for older adults during the pandemic was the social isolation which led many of our clients to report depression, so the opportunity for them come back to a vibrant senior center where they can socialize, have fun, and exercise is vital to them,” said Susan Belgrade, LCSW, JFSLA Senior Director of Multipurpose and Senior Centers. “It really fills my heart with joy to see seniors I haven’t seen for years visit the center and tell me how excited they are to be back with their friends.”

At JFSLA’s Senior and Multipurpose Centers, visitors can experience JFSLA’S Arts, Wellness, & Engagement Program (AWE), which offers engaging activities for older adults. In order to make classes available to as many people as possible, the AWE Program offers classes both in-person and online so that older adults can connect with community and learning and stay healthy in their own homes. Staff have begun offering a variety of classes including cooking, glass fusion art, live music concerts, and are hoping to bring back additional classes that were available to clients prior to the pandemic such as jewelry crafting and intergenerational activities.

With activities resuming at the Centers, many clients have expressed how thrilled they are to reconnect with others and once again enjoy the programs and activities they love. When asked why she enjoys coming to JFSLA programs, Helen Klein, a regular attendee at the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center, said, “I am 95 years old. I do not want to spend the entire day at home. This way I exercise. I move. There are all kinds of activities I can do here, that is why I come.”

Agneta Lowy, another JFSLA client, said attending exercise classes at the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center has helped her create connections with others. “The Centers have a friendly atmosphere, the staff are very accommodating, and it’s important to stay active and social,” she added.

In addition to the many programs offered at the Centers, older adults can also connect with a social worker. “We recognize it has been difficult and challenging for our clients through this period of high costs, especially for those who live on a fixed income,” said Susan Belgrade. “By reaching out to a social worker, clients can receive referrals to services and information that may be essential to them.” Social workers provide case management and other critical services for clients and help clients apply for government benefits and public assistance and connect to resources.

The JFSLA Senior Nutrition Program also provides visitors aged 60 and older with a free, hot lunch served daily Monday through Friday. Please see below for a list of Centers that are currently open and the programs and services they provide:

The Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center, located at 330 N. Fairfax Ave., has a variety of classes including daily fitness classes, current event discussions, educational talks, cooking courses, a movie club, knitting classes, art classes, and live music concerts. Older adults can now enjoy the new building and access the new gym and computer lab. Through the “Tech 4 You” program, older adults can receive one-on-one assistance if they have questions regarding devices and technology. They can also receive a Chromebook to learn how to connect to JFSLA activities and services online. Classes are free for adults aged 55 and older. Reservations are required for all activities. To make a reservation, contact Danny Vasquez at dvasquez@jfsla.org or call 213-248-8519.

Through the Senior Nutrition program, hot meals are served daily at Stanley & Anita’s Kosher Cafe for individuals 60 and over. Meal service is from 10:30 -11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – noon.

Café Europa, a weekly social program for survivors of the Holocaust, meets every Tuesday from 12:30 pm -1:30 p.m. Snacks are provided. Reservations are required every week. Please call Yaya Contreras at 323-556-2961. Please let her know if transportation will be needed to arrive at the building.

To schedule an appointment with a social worker, please call 323-937-5900.

The Valley Storefront Senior Center, located at 12821 Victory Blvd. in North Hollywood, has a library and lounge area. Visitors can join a fitness class, the knitting circle, or play bingo on Fridays. The center also hosts movie events and a coffee-and-conversation series. Classes and activities are free for individuals 55 and over. Reservations are required for all activities. To make a reservation for classes, contact Chris Tafralian at ctafralian@jfsla.org or 213-248-7615.

Café Europa, a weekly social program for survivors of the Holocaust, meets every Thursday from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Snacks are provided. Reservations are required every week. Please contact Helen Moreno at 818-984-1380. Please let her know if transportation will be needed to arrive at the building.

To schedule an appointment with a social worker, please call 818-983-1380.

Through the Senior Nutrition program, visitors aged 60 and older can come for a free, hot meal. Meals are served daily, Monday through Friday, from 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

The West Hollywood Comprehensive Service Center, located at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., has a variety of activities and classes for individuals aged 55 and over. The Center provides a variety of activities such as fitness classes, Russian clubs, Café Shalom, a cultural and socialization group for survivors of the Holocaust from the former Soviet Union, and more. Members can participate in the “Tech 4 You” Program, which provides one-on-one assistance for visitors who have questions regarding the devices and technology they can use to connect to JFSLA activities online. They can also receive a Chromebook. To make a reservation, please contact Marina Goldshteyn at mgoldshteyn@jfsla.org or call 323-422-0291.

To schedule an appointment with a social worker, please call 323-851-8202.

Visitors aged 55 and older can come for a free, hot meal. Meals are served daily, Monday through Friday, from 11:00 a.m. – noon.

The Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Senior Center, located at 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., serves individuals 55 and over. There are weekly exercise classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and visitors can partake in activities with the LA City Program Parks & Recreation. To make a reservation, please contact Kimiko Kelly at kkelly@jfsla.org or call 323-937-5900.

To schedule an appointment with a social worker, please call 323-937-5900.

The BAR Center at the Beach, located at 201 Ocean Front Walk in Venice, offers weekly fitness classes on Mondays and Wednesdays and one-on-one tech support and assistance courses for members. Services are available to visitors 55 and over. To make a reservation, please contact Brooke Schwartz at bschwartz@jfsla.org or call 213-434-4520.

To find a JFSLA Senior or Multipurpose Center near you, please visit https://www.jfsla.org/program/senior-and-multipurpose-centers/.

JFSLA can also provide transportation to the Centers for those that live within the service area. For more information on transportation, please call 310-231-0369.