Seniors shine back

Rabbi Reuven Mintz of Chabad Jewish Center lights the Hanukkah candles in a back dining room decorated with cardboard Santas and Christmas trees at Flagship Healthcare Center in Newport Beach.

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah,” Mintz recites in Hebrew.

The menorah is one made by Mintz’s young son, decorated in magic marker with a football and a soccer ball. Flagship residents in wheelchairs sit around a long table and watch a few mouthing the words as the rabbi says the blessing.

The candles bring a little light for the holidays to residents at the assisted care facility for seniors.

Mintz said it may be one of the only holiday celebrations the residents get.

The rabbi has visited about 30 assisted care facilities in Orange County over the past week of Hanukkah to celebrate the holiday, which ends Wednesday at sunset.

“It doesn’t take a lot for you to make a difference in this world,” Mintz said. “We can all be lamplighters.”

The holiday, also called the Festival of Lights, is a busy time for the rabbi, but he says the rewards he gets for spending time with the seniors is worth it.

“Your smiles shine right back at me,” Mintz tells the residents. “It makes the holidays for me.”

The rabbi greets the residents he remembers from his last visit and talks to newcomers with a cheerful smile.

“I miss my grandmother’s latkes too,” he tells Flagship resident Marilyn Prasow.

Prasow never had children. She dedicated her life to a career in nursing and moved into flagship about a week ago after an extended illness weakened her health.

“I’ll bring my children next time to sing for you,” Mintz tells the residents, whose eyes light up at the prospect.

Prasow reminisces with the rabbi about her Polish grandmother’s cooking from childhood Hanukkahs long past.

“The whole family would sing songs and clap. It was a very happy time of year,” Prasow remembers.

Mintz hands out plastic dreidels to the residents, doughnuts and little bags of chocolate coins, all Hanukkah traditions.

“It was kind of like this,” Prasow said. “The rabbi’s very nice to come visit us. He’s going out of his way to help us.”

Flagship resident Irene Matzen isn’t Jewish, but she still looks forward to the rabbi’s holiday visits. It’s something to do and the rabbi always has time to chat for a few minutes, she said.

“I find it very interesting to learn about the different holidays,” Matzen said while coloring a paper dreidel at the Hanukkah party. “I always wondered about the different customs.”

Yael Wolf, a volunteer at Chabad from Melbourne, Australia, traveled with Mintz this week to help during his visits to residential homes.

“I love teaching people about Hanukkah,” Wolf said. “The menorah and doughnuts and all the songs. It’s a great way to teach people.”

After exchanging warm goodbyes, it’s off to the next center for Mintz.

“May each and every one of you be blessed,” he tells the residents as he leaves. “Everyone has the ability to lighten up this world no matter where you are.”

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].