In the Neighborhood - The Jewish Home

If you’ve spent any time at all in the Excelsior neighborhood, you’re probably curious about the Jewish Home of San Francisco, whose 9 acre campus occupies the corner of Silver and Mission Streets. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with William Foster, Community Liaison Director for the Jewish Home, to find out a little more about the organization.

From its modest beginning in 1871 as a residential center for 12 seniors, the Jewish Home has grown to a comprehensive senior care center, serving more than 375 residents. Although many are long term care residents, the Jewish Home is a resource for the entire geriatric community, with its short term and rehabilitation services unit (STARS) and an acute geriatric psychiatry hospital - the only one in the Bay Area that caters specifically to seniors. Admission to the Jewish Home is not limited by religious or cultural affiliation.

The Jewish Home offers a variety of programs and services that are usually not found in skilled nursing facilities. These include creative arts programming, fitness and wellness, and healing touch/acupuncture. An on-site medical clinic allows residents to receive medical care including dentistry, ophthalmology, cardiology, podiatry and dermatology without leaving the facility. LCSW and MFT social workers serve the psychosocial needs of residents and their families.

As William Foster pointed out, the Jewish Home still has the culture of caring that used to be more common before the corporatization of elder care. Many staff members have worked there for more than 30 years, and the board and resident council are committed to making the Jewish Home a place that Bay Area elderly can call home.

If you'd like more information about this Excelsior neighborhood institution (almost 140 years!), contact William Foster at:

Jewish Home of San Francisco
302 Silver Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 406-1584
wfoster@jhsf.org

There are volunteer opportunities for students and adults at the Jewish Home, ranging from visiting with the residents to fundraising. If you would like to volunteer, the Director of Volunteer Services would love to talk with you. Her name is Jennifer Vellutini and she can be reached at (415) 469-2229, or jvellutini@jhsf.org.

In the Neighborhood features information about people and places in the Excelsior neighborhood that you may already know and love, or that might be new to you. Watch this space!