When visiting Boro Park Center within the past month, you would never dream that you were in a rehab center. The joy, the spirituality and uplifting aura of this month touched the heart of each resident – for many, an even greater experience than they ever felt in previous years at home. Center staff spent months planning every detail, ensuring an experience unprecedented for Boro Park Center or any similar facility.

The tone was set even prior to Rosh Hashana, during the days of Selichos, and continued throughout the Yomim Noraim and Succos. Exceptional baalei tefillah, chock full of talent and hartz, brought out the innate neshama of every tefillah and every moment. “I felt my tefillos reaching straight to the kisei hakavod!”, exclaimed Mr. B, a new resident.

Wheelchair accessible buses brought residents to the shore, so they can fulfill the minhag of Tashlich just as they have throughout their lives, without cutting any corners. Kaparos were likewise shlugged in the most authentic manner, resident by resident, floor by floor.

Delicious, regal Yom Tov seudos were served in the Center’s hall, each dish customized to residents’ dietary needs. Rabbi Wajsfeld invested tremendous effort in the zemiros, making each seuda a spiritual experience, well beyond the food. Private rooms were available for residents who wanted to enjoy the seudos together with their family.

Prior to Succos, a beautifully decorated Succah was built, conveying a warm, homey ambiance to everyone within. Chol Hamoed Succos featured a program second to none, arranged by our esteemed Director of Recreation Raizy Pavlov. Shiurim, shows, live animals, activities, refreshments and more enthralled residents, as well as their relatives and many unaffiliated families from the metro area. What a sight it was to see the Center teeming with young families and children enjoying every minute of their visit!

During the Hakafos on Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah, Rabbi Wajsfeld made sure that every resident, even those confined to wheelchairs, was in the center of the celebration – and was fully part of the dancing. Their faces radiated pure joy. One resident commented: “I felt as though I was at Har Sinai.”

All Center staff members were fully educated as to the nuances of the month of Tishrei, which resulted in a seamless caregiving experience. Even now, residents and their family members can’t stop raving about how satisfying their experience at the Center was over the course of Tishrei. One resident, a chemo patient, remarked that this experience was the best treatment for his illness. He felt better than ever before.

May our residents and all of Klal Yisroel enjoy a sweet 5780, a year filled with life, healing and joy!