Jewish Senior Life Celebrates Progress, Purpose, and Community at 17th Annual Meeting
Jewish Senior Life welcomed residents, staff, board members, donors, volunteers, and community partners to its 17th Annual Meeting on June 23 at Fleischman Residence. The event celebrated another year of growth, resilience, and impact while honoring the people whose dedication continues to make JSL a place where older adults can live healthy, joyous, and purposeful lives.
The evening’s theme, “Moments That Matter,” highlighted the everyday interactions that define the JSL experience. In her remarks, CEO Nancy Heinrich reflected on the importance of creating meaningful moments for residents through compassion, connection, and care, emphasizing that a simple smile, greeting, or act of kindness can have a profound impact.
President of Women’s Philanthropy, Shelly Rubenfire, brought Federation Greetings.
Board President Jason Fisher shared significant organizational accomplishments from the past year, including the near elimination of a projected $2 million operating deficit and a return to a strong financial position. He also highlighted major investments in JSL communities, including improvements to dining services, marketing and human resources, campus security enhancements, new decks and window replacements at Meer Apartments, landscaping upgrades at Fleischman Residence, and renovations underway at Coville.
The meeting also celebrated JSL’s nearly 120-year legacy of serving older adults and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to providing a welcoming Jewish-sponsored community while remaining inclusive of people of all faiths and backgrounds.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of several exceptional individuals whose dedication embodies the mission and values of Jewish Senior Life:
2026 Sandra and Alfred I. Sherman Award
Kim Lipman, Oak Park Campus Assistant Administrator
2026 Michael Cloonan Employee Excellence Awards
Kesha Puryear (left), Fleischman Residence Receptionist
Terra Gillette (right), Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program
2026 Jewish Senior Life Award of Excellence
Joan Chernoff Epstein, community leader, philanthropist, and longtime supporter of Jewish Senior Life. Joan in the photo below with her son Jonathan, her mother, Betty Chernoff and her husband, Robert Epstein.
The Annual Meeting also included the installation of the 2026-2027 Board of Directors and Officers, led by Governance Chair Mark Kowalsky. Jason Fisher was re-elected to continue serving as Board President.
As JSL looks ahead, the organization remains focused on enriching the lives of older adults through exceptional housing, innovative programming, compassionate care, and a strong sense of community.
Thank you to our residents, families, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners for making another remarkable year possible. Together, we continue creating moments that matter.
Scroll through the gallery below to see our photos of the Annual Meeting.
