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About

We’re There
Whenever You Need Us

Jewish Senior Life is an inclusive and welcoming community to all, rooted in the Jewish values of our founding mothers. We are guided by the values of honoring family and emphasizing senior care and aging in place—supporting people to remain in the place of their choice longer.

Jewish Senior Life is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), offering all levels of senior care from independent living to skilled nursing care on a single campus. We are the only senior care provider in the Rochester area to offer Life Care, which eliminates worries about unforeseen care needs and medical expenses throughout the full continuum of care. We offer a full spectrum of services and programs to meet the changing needs of our community – whether you live on our campus or in your own home.

At Jewish Senior Life, we cherish relationships. We get to know you so we can be there for you when and how you need us. You’ve had a rich life experience. We love hearing your stories. That’s one of the most rewarding aspects of being on the Jewish Senior Life team.

History
In 1920, four visionary women with a passionate cause went door to door, asking support from the Jewish Community in Rochester to create a Jewish Home for the aging. Their efforts were successful; the Jewish Home of Rochester has provided premier services for seniors, emphasizing the values of caring, compassion, integrity and quality for 100 years.
Mission
To enhance the quality of life, health, and well-being of older adults, their families, and others in our community, consistent with the values and traditions of our Jewish heritage.
Vision
Jewish Senior Life will be a nationally recognized leader in providing a full-spectrum of innovative, high quality, person-centered aging and rehabilitative healthcare services to individuals and their families in our region. We will remain guided by our Jewish values of a meaningful life, compassion, choice, and dignity. We will expand our focus on home and community-based services, preserve financial stability, and invest in our most valuable resource—our family of employees.
Our Values
We recognize that people thrive in an atmosphere of respect, compassion and individuality and we are committed to providing programs and services implementing these values and provide an atmosphere of diversity, equity and inclusion among our residents, families, participants, and staff.
An Inviting, Welcoming Community
At Jewish Senior Life, we celebrate diversity. It makes us an even more vibrant community. We’re here to help enhance your quality of life, health and well-being—no matter your faith, ethnicity or orientation. We began our mission as the Jewish Home for the Aged in 1920, and we continue to practice our Jewish values of honoring our parents, being welcoming to all, and acting with loving kindness and compassion as we've grown to serve the entire community. Everyone deserves the highest quality of life, at any stage of their life.
Our Daily Mission
We are here to enhance the quality of life, health and well-being of older adults, their families, and others in our community, consistent with the values of our founding mothers.
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Meet the Team

Michael S. King

President and CEO
Michael S. King
President and CEO

“I am proud to be part of an organization rich in the history of providing compassionate, quality health care services.”

Mike leads the organization in providing the highest quality care, ensuring that the community’s older adults lead meaningful lives with choice and dignity. Mike served in Jewish Senior Life’s senior management for 10 years before becoming CEO, and he has served in a number of leadership roles in the senior services profession. Mike is a member of the Executive Committee for the Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS), and is a Board Member for Mary Cariola Center and LeadingAge New York.

Carly Zecher

CFO, Senior VP of Finance
Carly Zecher
CFO, Senior VP of Finance

“It’s a pleasure to lead the Jewish Senior Life financial team as we continue to grow and evolve as an organization. The work done in every department matters; and it’s a privilege to share the impact on those we serve through numbers and facts.”

Carly has been with Jewish Senior Life since 2016, where she previously held the position of Director of Finance for the organization. Her integrity, knowledge and compassion is evident and has helped to build everyone’s confidence both internally and externally in the financial viability of Jewish Senior Life. Carly has led several special projects across the organization because of her quick understanding of situations and her common sense approach to resolving issues.  She became a specialist in COVID reimbursement through HHS and FEMA, and has been the primary provider of information to the Board of Directors. In 2022, Carly received the Financial Executive of the Year Award, presented by the Rochester Chapter of Financial Executives International and the Rochester Business Journal.

Michele Schirano

Senior VP/Administrator,
Jewish Home of Rochester
Michele Schirano
Senior VP/Administrator,
Jewish Home of Rochester

“During my years at the Jewish Home of Rochester, there have been many advances in the way we provide care to our residents. I am proud of our staff and the positive difference we make in the lives of our residents.”

Michele has been with the Jewish Home for more than 20 years and has grown along with the organization, having started as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). As Senior Vice President/Administrator, she is responsible for overseeing all operations of the Jewish Home.

Wendy Ferrer

Senior Vice President of Housing and Marketing
Wendy Ferrer
Senior Vice President of Housing and Marketing

“Every person, every brick, every service at Jewish Senior Life has a story. It is my honor and privilege to be invited to share stories about the people who live and work here, the cutting-edge care inside and outside of our walls, and how this vibrant community is carving a new path in senior care.”

Wendy provides direction and oversight to promote the organization’s brand, develop and implement marketing and communications plan for innovative projects, and work with other executive staff on strategic initiatives that will continue to showcase the organization as a leader and employer of choice.

Travis Masonis

Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer
Travis Masonis
Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer

“Jewish Senior Life understands the importance of innovation in healthcare and strives to be on the cutting edge. I am proud to be part of such a forward-thinking organization.”

Travis oversees Jewish Senior Life’s Home and Community Based Services. He also provides operational leadership for the Information Technology Team and the Jewish Home Facilities and Environmental Services departments. Travis has served in healthcare information technology and leadership roles in a number of healthcare organizations.

Christine Van Vessem

Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Quality
Christine Van Vessem
Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Quality

“Our employees are our greatest asset, and by investing in their growth and well-being, we are shaping a future where our organization and the people we serve thrive.”

Christine has been with Jewish Senior Life since 2008.  She has a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from SUNY Brockport and is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).  Christine is responsible for the strategic initiatives and overall operations of Human Resources, Staff Development & Quality.  She serves as the Business Liaison for Jewish Senior Life’s Project SEARCH Program and also is on the Advisory Board of Northstar Network’s Healthcare Business Academy Fellowship Program.

Jackie Felker

VP of Nursing
Jackie Felker
VP of Nursing

“I am inspired by the outstanding care our Nursing staff provides to Jewish Home residents every day. I’m proud to be leading them and knowing they value hard work and teamwork makes my job a rewarding one.”

Jackie has been a nurse for over 22 years and brings many years’ experience to the Vice President of Nursing role. She has worked at the Jewish Home since 2017 previously in the positions of Nurse Manager and Assistant Director of Nursing. In addition, she teaches BOCES LPN students helping them to advance their nursing career.

Dr. Daniel Mendelson

CMO, VP Medical Services
Dr. Daniel Mendelson
CMO, VP Medical Services

“I am thrilled and honored to serve the Jewish Senior Life community, and enjoy seeing so many kind and familiar faces amongst the residents, families, and employees. I look forward to building on the rich history of excellence in caring and innovation alongside our amazing staff, leaders, and volunteers.”

Dr. Daniel Mendelson is responsible for overseeing Jewish Senior Life’s Medical Department. He has more than 20 years’ experience as Medical Director in long-term care facilities. He co-founded the Geriatric Fracture Center at Highland Hospital, as well as the UR Medicine Geriatrics Group. Dr. Mendelson also was the founder of the Highland Hospital Geriatrics Palliative Care Clinic.

Dr. Mendelson earned his M.D. degree at the University of Rochester, where he also earned a Master’s degree in Biophysics, and trained in Primary Care Internal Medicine and Geriatrics.

Thomas McDade Clay

Executive Director,
Jewish Senior Life Foundation
Thomas McDade Clay
Executive Director,
Jewish Senior Life Foundation

“I am privileged to be a part of Jewish Senior Life and am eager to engage the philanthropic community in supporting its remarkable and vitally important work. The organization positively impacts so many older adults, their families and others through its multi-faceted, multi-dimensional approach to person-centered, quality senior care. I am excited to apply my skills and expertise to promoting and advancing its essential work.”

Tom is responsible for managing all aspects of the Foundation. He will provide leadership and vision to enable continued growth of advancement programs and fundraising for Jewish Senior Life.

Alan Kinel

Chair
Alan Kinel
Chair

Marc Reich

Vice Chair & Treasurer
Marc Reich
Vice Chair & Treasurer

Valerie D. Alhart

Secretary
Valerie D. Alhart
Secretary

Robert M. Baker

Immediate Past Chair
Robert M. Baker
Immediate Past Chair

Michael S. King

President and CEO,
Jewish Senior Life
Michael S. King
President and CEO,
Jewish Senior Life
  • Adam P. Anolik
  • Irena P. Boyce, Ph.D.
  • Betsy D. Brugg, Esq.
  • Jill Eisenstein
  • Hon. Jonathan W. Feldman
  • Kenneth J. Glazer
  • Helena M. Kaptein-Shrier, RN, BSN
  • Emily A. Krohn, LCSW-R
  • Joy Ryen Plotnik, Esq.
  • Michele J. Ruda
  • Wendy A. Silverman, RN, BSN
  • Eric Stonehill, Esq.
  • Maurice E. Varon, M.D.
  • Marsha N. Wittink, M.D., M.B.E.
  • Marvin L. Wolk

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Jewish Senior Life Welcomes You

We embrace a culture of belonging that celebrates and respects individuality. Each person is valued for their contribution to the vitality of our community. How?

Conducting Ourselves With the Highest Degree of Ethics

Jewish Senior Life is committed to conducting ourselves with the highest degree of ethics and integrity. Our Code of Ethics is an extension of our values. This code applies to any interaction, with any person—a resident, their loved one, a co-worker, and others. Whether we answer a call light, administer a medication, have a discussion with a resident’s loved one, make a home visit, or develop a policy, we must conduct our behavior with the best of intentions to serve others’ best interests. It’s not only doing things right, but doing the right thing.

We have a responsibility to act in our residents’ best interests. Our business ethics are the same behavior we would have with our own family members. Looking out for them, protecting them, and helping them to live meaningful lives in the safest, most professional and caring way possible.

We want everyone associated with Jewish Senior Life to be proud of it.

Affiliations

Jewish Senior Life is a member of the Alliance of Senior Care Communities, The Greater Rochester Chamber of CommerceLeadingAge NY, LeadingAge. We also have an affiliation with the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer Foundation of America (AFA) – Memory Screening Site and Project SEARCH. We are a member of the Stroke Center Network (SCN). Jewish Senior Life works closely with partner organizations in the Jewish community, including: Association of Jewish Aging Services, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service and Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.

Accreditations, Certifications, and Awards

Jewish Senior Life received the WELL Health-Safety Rating from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the leading global authority on healthy buildings. The accomplishment marks the first in the region. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing buildings and spaces focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future. The rating, launched in 2020, has now been adopted in more than 100 countries at almost 24,000 locations representing 2.3 billion square feet of space.

Jewish Home of Rochester has been nationally recognized for excellence in care for a sixth year. For 2024, the organization was named a U.S. News Best Nursing Home for both long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. Only 19% of skilled nursing facilities nationwide earned this distinction. The Jewish Home is one of only 56 out of 610 nursing homes in New York State to received an overall rating of five out of five.

Jewish Senior Life has been certified as a Great Place to Work® by the Great Place to Work Institute, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures, for the third year in a row. Great Place to Work evaluated more than 60 elements of team members’ experience on the job for employees across the Jewish Senior Life organization. The elements included employee trust in the organization, pride in the organization’s community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and feeling their work has special meaning. Rankings are based on employees’ experiences, no matter who they are or what they do.

The Jewish Home of Rochester, an affiliate of Jewish Senior Life, has been recognized for a third year in a row by Newsweek’s America’s Best Nursing Homes 2024. Only four percent of nursing homes nationwide received this distinction.

Jewish Home of Rochester has been nationally recognized for excellence in care for a fifth year. For 2024, the organization was named a U.S. News Best Nursing Home for both long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. Only 19% of skilled nursing facilities nationwide earned this distinction. The Jewish Home is one of only 56 out of 610 nursing homes in New York State to received n overall rating of five out of five.

Jewish Senior Life earned a five-year term of CARF accreditation as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) and for Adult Day Health Care, Assisted Living, Person-Centered Long-Term Care and Person-Centered Dementia Care programs. A three-year term of CARF accreditation was awarded for the Transitional Care program and Atkin Center for Outpatient Rehabilitation program. Both of these term lengths are the maximum allowable by CARF.

CARF accreditation demonstrates an organization’s quality, transparency and commitment to the satisfaction of the persons served. An organization receiving accreditation has voluntarily put itself through a rigorous peer review process and demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site survey that it is committed to conforming to CARF’s accreditation conditions and standards. Furthermore, an organization that earns CARF accreditation is commended on its quest for quality programs and services.