JFS Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center Reopens
After two years of being unable to come together due to the pandemic, seniors are starting to return for exercise and classes at Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles’ Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center, located in the Fairfax District.
“For many of our older adult clients, the loneliness and isolation of the past two years has been devastating,” JFS president and CEO Eli Veitzer said. “For them, the opportunity to see friends again and to be with other people at the senior centers is precious. We hope to be able to provide that gift soon at all our senior centers.”
The facility, formerly called the Freda Mohr Center, provided life-enriching programs for approximately 150 seniors daily prior to the pandemic, and shifted to online programming during the past two years, said Susan Belgrade, senior director of multipurpose and senior centers for Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles.
Last week, the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center opened its doors to seniors for the first time since March 2020, offering services by appointment only. A steady stream of clients has returned, Belgrade added.
“They are thrilled to be back, and we are thrilled to have them back,” she said. “Socialization is very, very important, and this is something our clients missed during COVID. They want to go back to where they were before.”
“I’ve been waiting for a long time for the center to reopen and when I heard from our [fitness] instructor, Cesar, that his first in person class at Jona Goldrich was on May 3, I was the first one to sign up,” Fairfax District resident Flora Ruben said. “It felt so good to be at this beautiful building and to see my old Romanian friend. I’m planning to come to classes twice a week, come to exercise in the gym once a week, and I also hope to come to the computer lab one time a week. I also was very happy to see JFSLA staff again.”
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles has been cautious in restarting in-person programs for seniors. Clients must make appointments and classes are being kept at approximately 50% capacity.
Belgrade said JFSLA has adopted a hybrid model and still offers programming online. She added that the hope is to expand availability of services soon.
The Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center is located on the ground floor of the JFS Gunther-Hirsh Family Center, located at 330 N. Fairfax Ave. It includes a gymnasium, exercise room, computer lab and classroom.
The building, which was completed shortly before the pandemic occurred, also houses offices for Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles.
The multipurpose center was named after real estate developer and philanthropist Jona Goldrich, who died in 2016.
Goldrich, a Holocaust survivor who was instrumental in the creation of the Los Angeles Holocaust Memorial in Pan Pacific Park, was a longtime supporter of JFSLA.
Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, said he is pleased the center has reopened.
“Older adults have been the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the isolation for them has been particularly difficult to overcome. I’m so happy that our community is once again able to access engaging health and wellness activities for older adults in addition to education and social events through the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center,” Koretz said. “Thank you to Jewish Family Services for continuing to help our older neighbors live a healthy and satisfying life on their own terms.”
In-person classes include current events, as well as exercise programs and fitness classes focusing on stretching and flexibility, and gait and balance. Zumba and yoga classes are also offered.
The computer lab is open from 10 a.m.-noon on Monday and Wednesday.
To return to the multipurpose center, clients and guests must provide identification and proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours. They must also complete a daily health questionnaire and always wear a face mask, Belgrade said. Transportation to and from the center is available.
“We hope to see more people in-person soon,” Belgrade added. “We are happy to welcome everyone back to our beautiful new building.”
To RSVP for classes and activities at the Jona Goldrich Multipurpose Center, call Danny Vasquez at (213)248-8519, or email dvasquez@jfsla.org.
