Submitted by the Kenwood Senior Star
At The Kenwood by Senior Star, community, culture, and wellness blend to create a rich, supportive environment for older adults. Through a meaningful partnership with Jewish Family Service (JFS), The Kenwood has become a place where residents celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions, fostering a deep sense of purpose, belonging, and well-being. This story sheds light on how community engagement, grounded in cultural and spiritual traditions, is transforming the aging experience for many in Cincinnati’s Jewish community.
For residents like Ms. Ellen, a member of the Jewish community who has called The Kenwood home for over two years, the opportunity to celebrate her faith in a communal setting has been profoundly enriching. “Celebrating holidays, making new friends, and practicing our traditions together — it means everything,” she shares. As she and other residents celebrate their weekly Shabbat services and holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah, they find comfort in the sense of continuity and camaraderie that these celebrations provide.
At the heart of this collaboration is JFS’s K’vod Connect program, led by Senior Rabbi Yair Walton, which brings together Jewish cultural, spiritual, and emotional support across Cincinnati. Named for the Hebrew word for “honor, respect and dignity,” K’vod Connect addresses the isolation that can impact older adults by fostering meaningful social engagement and providing emotional and spiritual care. “Together, we honor our Jewish heritage, promote deep connections, and create spaces where seniors feel truly seen and heard,” Rabbi Walton explains.
Through K’vod Connect, JFS organizes communal meals, spiritual care sessions, classes, holiday celebrations, and engaging social activities, such as field trips, cooking classes and outside speakers, that welcome both Jewish and non-Jewish residents at The Kenwood and other locations across the city. These gatherings act as touchstones for community and connection, fostering the vital social bonds that contribute to physical and mental well-being.
Research consistently underscores isolation as a major risk factor for seniors, with impacts on health comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. The holistic programming JFS brings to The Kenwood, local senior living communities and homes is designed to counteract these risks, creating social connections that improve emotional and physical health. Rabbi Walton and the K’vod Connect team witness firsthand the benefits of these efforts, as seniors across Cincinnati build a strong support network through JFS’s wide-reaching approach. By collaborating with rabbis, medical professionals, attorneys, and community advocates, K’vod Connect extends beyond any one facility, ensuring seniors feel connected, supported, and embraced by their community.
Scott Gibson, Executive Director of The Kenwood, speaks passionately about the community’s intentional focus on holistic wellness, part of Senior Star’s 7 Areas of Wellness. “Our goal is to foster a vibrant community that nourishes mind, body, and spirit, bringing residents together in ways that enhance every part of their lives,” Gibson says. The commitment to spiritual wellness is a defining aspect of life at The Kenwood, allowing residents to continue their religious practices and celebrate cultural traditions within a caring, supportive community. For many Jewish residents, this means not only staying connected to their faith but also finding new ways to engage with it through group activities and discussions.
The Kenwood and JFS partnership extends to a broader mission: to provide an enriching environment where traditions are honored, and seniors feel truly valued. For residents like Ms. Ellen, this supportive setting goes beyond simple comfort; it’s about thriving in the richness of one’s heritage while forming new bonds. During Hanukkah, for instance, the community gathers around the menorah, sings blessings, and enjoys festive meals. These celebrations are not only expressions of faith but opportunities to forge lasting friendships and deepen a sense of belonging.
For Cincinnati’s Jewish community, The Kenwood by Senior Star offers a compelling glimpse into the future of senior living — one where culture and community engagement are central to daily life. This unique model of senior care, grounded in the values of respect, honor, and holistic wellness, provides a powerful example of how a community can age with dignity and vibrancy. As Rabbi Walton emphasizes, “Through this partnership, participants in K’vod Connect find more than just a place to gather — they discover a community that deeply connects them to their spiritual and social needs, offering a real sense of belonging and purpose.”
For readers and families, The Kenwood offers an inspiring view into the power of community and tradition in promoting healthy aging. For those who have loved ones entering this stage of life, it’s reassuring to know that places like The Kenwood exist — a community that celebrates heritage, fosters engagement, and supports each individual’s journey.
For more information or to experience this unique community for yourself, families are invited to visit The Kenwood during this holiday season.