Jewish Home Family History

110 Years of Vision and Dedication

The benchmark of any community, especially one steeped in Jewish values, is often measured by how it responds to those at risk — and the value of that response — gauged by sustainability and excellence over the course of time. By all measure, the original efforts of the Hudson County Jewish community in response to the plight of abandoned Jewish immigrant children in 1915 was impressive, but represented only the beginning of a century long effort of committed communities and motivated Jewish philanthropists with collective foresight and nimble vision, to continually respond to growing needs of the most vulnerable in the community.

Since 1915, the Jewish Home Family has stood as a pillar of compassion, resilience, and visionary care in the Hudson and Bergen County communities. What began as the Hebrew Orphans Home of Hudson County—created in response to the needs of abandoned Jewish immigrant children—has grown into a dynamic, multi-faceted organization serving older adults of all backgrounds with dignity, respect, and deep-rooted Jewish values.

Rising to the Challenge of a Global Pandemic

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 challenged every aspect of health care and eldercare. At Jewish Home Family, we came together as we always do—with creative, forward-thinking solutions to keep our elders safe, engaged, and connected. Out of that time of crisis came transformative change—most notably, our adoption of the revolutionary Green House model of care.

At the heart of this model is a belief that every individual deserves to live in a space that feels like and IS real home—warm, welcoming, and private. A place where life continues forward, rich with meaning, where days are full with purpose, joy, and connection. Choices are elder-directed and supported by empowered staff—caregivers who are deeply trained and genuinely committed to connecting to each elder with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Writing the Next Chapter, Together

Jewish Home Family has used the challenges of the pandemic to leap forward—building a culture of care that puts human connection, safety, and wellbeing at the center.

Over the course of our 110-year journey, we’ve never measured success by longevity alone—but also by the impact we’ve had and continue to have on the folks we serve. From inspired living spaces and refreshing programming, from innovative memory care to state-of-the-art rehabilitation—our work is driven by one unshakable principle: to respond to the community with excellence, foresight, and heart.

As we look to the future, we remain passionately committed to staying ahead of the needs of tomorrow while honoring the legacy of our past. Take a look at some of the key moments that have shaped our journey—and the bold steps we’re taking toward the future.

Timeline of Excellence in Care

2025

• Green House Model of Care fully implemented at both Jewish Home Assisted Living’s Memory Care and Jewish Home at Rockleigh’s Seiden Wing.
• Launch of Harold and Stephanie Krieger Parkinson’s Center on Rockleigh campus.

2024

• Staff trained in the Green House model, embracing its core principles of meaningful life, real home, and empowered staff.
• Launch of Habayta Rehabilitation, offering post-rehab and a continuum of support services to elders off-site and at home.

2023

• JHF opens the Jewish Home Family Center for Rehabilitation Excellence, with the Charles Berkowitz Center for Rehabilitation including the region’s only aquatic therapy center, and the Taub Family Residence for hotel-style inpatient amenities.
• Outpatient services expand with high satisfaction.
• Innovative workforce development launched—partnering with schools, colleges, and foreign recruitment to strengthen care delivery and reduce agency use.

2022

• The Jewish Home Family launches the Center for Rehabilitation Excellence, offering state-of-the-art therapy services in a modern, private-room setting.
• Staff continue advanced training in the Green House Model, reinforcing a culture of person-directed care.

2021

• Construction progresses on the Center for Rehabilitation Excellence despite global supply chain delays.
• The Jewish Home Family enhances infection control protocols and resident safety measures as part of ongoing pandemic response.

2020

• The Jewish Home Family responds swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing new safety protocols and launching virtual programs to keep residents engaged and connected.
• Planning for the Center for Rehabilitation Excellence adapts to meet the evolving needs of post-acute care in a post-pandemic world.

2019

• Construction begins on the Second Century Project, marking the next phase of growth for Jewish Home Family.
• Planning continues for the new Center for Rehabilitation Excellence and expansion of household-style long-term care.

2018

• Design and development efforts intensify for the Second Century Project, including the new inpatient rehabilitation building and private rooms.
• Jewish Home Family begins training select staff in the Green House Model of Care, laying the foundation for future transformation.

2017

• Jewish Home Family (JH Family) launches $30 Million Second Century Campaign.
• Jewish Home Assisted Living (JHAL) opens 3,000 square foot expansion.
• JH Family partners with Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and launches system-wide Parkinson’s support, education and clinical programs.
• JHAL becomes first in NJ to offer a short-term IV program in an assisted living setting.

2016

• 6 acres of adjacent property to the Jewish Home at Rockleigh (JHR) campus is sold.

2015

• Jewish Home Family (JH Family) celebrates its Centennial with a year-long series of events open to the community.
• Jewish Home@Home (JH@H) opens @HomeCare, providing optimum home care services to seniors in the community.
• JH@H incorporates @Home Safely (formerly known as Jewish Federation’s Bonim Builders) into the services offered to seniors requiring home renovations.
• JH Family opens SeniorHaven for Elder Abuse Prevention, first and only elder abuse shelter in NJ.

2014

• JH Family welcomes Carol Silver Elliott as President & CEO.
• JH Family honors Charles P. Berkowitz’ 44 years of commitment to the Jewish Home as he steps down as President & CEO.
• Jewish Home Assisted Living (JHAL) offers college courses to residents in conjunction with Montclair State University.

2013

• JH Family combined agency budgets exceeded $35 Million.
• Hot Kosher Holiday Meals program continues to expand; delivered to area seniors by volunteers.
• National documentary program, Visionaries, selects Jewish Homes’ continuum of Alzheimer’s care.

2012

• JH Family dedicates The Charles P. Berkowitz Gardens honoring Chuck Berkowitz’ 40 years of service to the elderly on the grounds of the Jewish Home at Rockleigh (JHR).
• JHAL celebrates its 5th Anniversary, and JHR celebrates its 10th Anniversary.

2011

• JH Family adds a full-time Director of Volunteer Services to expand number of volunteers helping seniors living at home and in JHR and JHAL facilities.
• JH@H continues to expand network of services to seniors in the community living at home.

2010

• JH@H begins providing geriatric care management services to the community.
• JHR and JHAL operates with an average daily census of 98% and 90% respectively.
• JH Family President & CEO begins full-time oversight of all facilities, programs and services.
• Boneh Olam Annual Giving program exceeds $1 Million mark.
• JHR continues to operate with an average daily census of 98% and is cited “one of the top nursing homes in New Jersey” by U.S. News and World Report, being the only kosher facility in Bergen County named to the list.
• JHAL operates at 93% capacity.
• JH@H elects it first Board and begins providing services in the Spring of 2010.

2009

• JH Family approves launching of “Jewish Home@Home,” a new eldercare agency for the elderly living at home. Geriatric Care Management will be initial program in 2010.

2008

• Jewish Home corporate restructure establishes a parent entity (Jewish Home Family) for broad oversight of four subsidiaries — JHRC, JHR, JHF and JHAL.
• JHR operates with an average daily census of 98.6%.
• Endowments enables new initiatives: resident and employee recognition programs.
• JH Family explores responding to unmet homecare needs of seniors in community.

2007

• JHAL facility opens in May 2007, expanding services to our elderly.
• JHF Boneh Olam Annual Giving Program reaches a record level, reinforcing its significance as the vehicle of support for the operational budget.
• JHR looks to complete $3 Million Capital initiative to further reduce mortgage, complete capital improvements, and secure financial stability.

2006

• JHAL construction continues.
• JHF looks at new community-based services designed to keep the elderly in their own homes.
• JHF re-energizes Endowment/Planned Giving Committee in order to build a significant endowment to secure future financial needs to meet the needs of the elderly.

2005

• Construction on Assisted Living project begins.
• Establish a non-sectarian Congregational Nursing program with Federal funding through the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program through efforts of UJA-NNJ.
• Continues our relationship with Dominican College for training of nursing students.
• JHR indebtedness reduced to $18.8 Million with major refinance package.
• Gallen Adult Day Health Care Program’s average daily census rises to 44 clients.

2004

• The Assisted Living Facility’s plans complete.
• First on-site training program for Certified Nursing Aides complete.
• Expansion of outpatient services including medical, rehabilitation, adult day healthcare, and kosher meal program. Increased services in Rockland County.

2003

• JHR reaches 99% occupancy before year-end.
• Continue to provide Jewish community with Kosher Meals-on-Wheels at the JCC on the Palisades, Y-JCC in Washington Township, Teaneck Jewish Center, and the JCC in Bayonne.
• JHF hosts series of educational programs for members of the community.
• JHF opens our synagogue to unaffiliated members of our Jewish community.

2002

• JHR is fully operational, providing kosher meals (under RCBC supervision) to the elderly in their homes and to facilities in Bergen, Hudson, Rockland and Passaic Counties, and providing sub-acute, hospice, long-term, and rehabilitation care.

2001

• In November, JHR is licensed and opens to its first resident.
• JHR takes over Kosher meal program in Bergen, Hudson, Rockland and Passaic Counties.

2000

• Capital Campaign for JHR eclipses $23 Million milestone.
• Preliminary site plans for an Assisted Living facility in River Vale were developed.

1999

• Contracts for the Rockleigh facility were signed, and construction begins.

1998

• Capital Campaign for JHR gains momentum throughout the Bergen, Rockland and Hudson Jewish communities.

1997

• Recipient of “Certificate of Need for an Assisted Living Facility” in Bergen County.

1996

• The Patron program — “Own A Day in Jewish Life” — is launched.
• Harwood Pavilion fully occupied.
• Expansion of River Vale Adult Day Care program, utilizing facilities of the YM-YWHA of Bergen County.

1995

• Harwood Pavilion, affordable housing for the elderly opened and the first apartments are occupied.
• First Golf and Tennis Outing held at Edgewood Country Club, River Vale, NJ.

1994

• A 16-acre site, including a 160,000 square-foot building in Rockleigh, is purchased to be converted into a state-of-the-art long-term care center.

1993

• UJC’s Task Force reaffirms need for JHRC facility in Bergen County.

1992

• Personal Endowment Program launched.
• Bergen County expansion sites considered.

1991

• Plans for affordable housing facility in Jersey City implemented.
• Relationship developed with Rockland County Jewish Home for the Aged to provide long-term care services for the Jewish elderly within the Rockland County community.
• Kosher Meals-on-Wheels expanded to Bergen County sites.

1983

• Planning Committee identifies need for added long-term care beds in Bergen County.

1970s

• First Adult Day Care program in New Jersey established at Jersey City facility.
• Kosher nutrition site serves over 100 people per day in Jersey City.
• Kosher Meals-on-Wheels delivers 80 meals/day to homebound elderly.
• Outpatient Dental, Medical and Podiatry clinics and Rose Gross Center for Handicapped Children established.
• 50-bed nursing facility opens in River Vale, Bergen County.
• Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing facility completed in Jersey City; name changed to JHRC.

1960s

• Rehabilitation services are added.

1950s

• Hebrew Home, now “Hebrew Home and Hospital,” begins serving needs of the chronically ill from Bergen, as well as Hudson Counties. Joseph Gross Hospital Pavilion is built with 150 beds making it the largest specialized hospital in New Jersey — totaling 325 beds.

1940s

• Harry Yager long-term custodial and nursing care building built.
• David Kahn Infirmary added to provide custodial and nursing care.

1930s

• Number of elderly unable to care for themselves increases. Children’s cottages remodeled.
• Institution’s name changed to “Hebrew Home for Orphans and Aged of Hudson County.”

1915

• Small cottage on Stevens Avenue, Jersey City purchased to house and care for Jewish orphans. Later formally incorporated as the “Hebrew Orphans Home of Hudson County.”