JCA Senior Writer, Suzanne Pollak, received the Excellence in Journalism Award during Progressive Maryland’s 2024 annual gala that was held Sept. 26.

Pollak was honored for the articles she wrote for Montgomery Community Media on evictions and tenants’ rights in Montgomery County. The articles covered press conferences, rallies, and the everyday struggles of tenants. Suzanne has been covering Montgomery County news for over 10 years.

Read Suzanne’s article about evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

JCA board members and staff gathered in the Sukkah to celebrate. Rabbi Evan Krame brought symbols of the holiday and shared insights with the attendees. He explained that, though the sukkah reminds us of frailty and impermanence, it gives us optimism that the coming year will bring the blessings needed to sustain us.

On October 10th, the North Bethesda Village in concert with the Villages of Kensington held a Vaccination Clinic at JCA Headquarters for local residents. About 30 individuals were vaccinated for COVID and/or influenza during the 3-hour clinic held in conjunction with Giant Pharmacy.  The Clinic was intended to assist seniors in

obtaining the seasonal flu vaccination as well as expanded protection from COVID variants.

The North Bethesda Village comprises several neighborhoods within the zip code 20852. The Villages of Kensington covers a wide area surrounding the Town of Kensington. Learn more about local villages on the VillageRides webpage.

Meet Jacky Schultz, JCA President

Jacky Schultz is a past president of Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. She has nearly four decades of experience in health care, including as a clinical nurse, nurse manager, and administrative director. Jacky has been on the JCA board since 2022.

Mitchell Glassman is the Managing Director of MLG Consulting, LCC, and previously was a Managing Director with Deloitte Consulting. Mitchell served as a Strategic Advisor, Board Member, and recently as the Board Chair of Manna Food Center, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Manna is Montgomery County, Maryland’s largest designated nonprofit food bank. As a two-term Board Chair, he provided overall leadership over policy, operations, advocacy, strategic planning, community relations, and leadership development.

Ed Cooper serves as the Vice President, Public and Government Affairs for Bethesda Maryland’s Total Wine & More. He brings with him over twenty-five years of public affairs experience. He is responsible for the company’s external affairs, communications, public and community relations, and corporate philanthropy and social responsibility efforts. Ed is a graduate and member of Leadership Montgomery and has served as President of JSSA and board member of Committee for Montgomery, Mobile Medical Care, and Congregation Washington Hebrew.

Jake Eigner is a 2024 Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Next Gen Leader. He is an ERISA attorney and thought leader on secondment at Goldman Sachs. He is a graduate of Georgetown Law and a recipient of the “18 under 31” award from the University of Alabama, where he received his undergraduate degree. His work at Goldman Sachs serves to streamline the board decision making process and implement sound fiduciary investments.

Kesher Cafe to Offer Weekly Programming

Kesher Cafe is the meeting space for those with young onset dementia (diagnosis prior to age 65) and their caregivers. Starting December 11, the program is being expanded from monthly to weekly. Each 4-hour Wednesday session will include a group social activity. One Sunday per month, caregivers will have the opportunity to meet, connect, and learn about strategies and available support.

If you or someone you know is a care partner for someone under 65 with a an early-stage memory loss diagnosis, contact Kensington Clubs.

AI and Election Misinformation

By Edward C. Baig, AARP

Seismic advancements in AI are making it more difficult for you to figure out whether an announcement from candidates and their representatives is actually from the campaigns. Supporters on the political fringes — and trolls who like to stir up trouble in general — have more tools at their disposal than ever before.

To varying degrees, candidates have always made exaggerated claims, and meddling in elections dates to the earliest days of politics. But AI-enhanced tools, amplified by the speedy and vast reach of social media, are digital carcinogens that can sow doubt about what is or isn’t factual.

Here’s what we know this campaign season and what to look out for:

Read the full article about AI generated election misinformation.

Dana Hirsch, the new Director of the JCA Heyman Interages Center, has been with JCA since 2008. Since then, Dana has managed SeniorTech, Mobility Management for Gainful Employment, Better Living through Medication Management, and the Escorted Transportation Program. Most recently, she was the Director of the JCA Senior Helpline. Dana has an MSW and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Service. She is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and a Certified Community Resource Specialist for Aging/Disability.

This past month, the JCA blog, Information for the Sandwich Generation, shared tips for older drivers from the NIH National Institute on Aging, and for landing a job after 50 from Woman’s World. Sally Pessin, who writes for JCA about financial matters, outlined the importance of choosing trusted contacts and beneficiaries. In observance of Ageism Awareness Day (October 9), the blog presented an article from HelpGuide.org explaining what ageism is and how it impacts people in one-on-one interactions and through systemic inequalities.

If you are a caregiver for an older adult, or you know one, check out the KC Blog as well.

Ruth Arens in memory of Arnie Arens
Alan & Ester Baldinger in memory of Sophie Appel
Barri Sue Black in honor of the inspiring leadership and dedication of Jodie and Elyse
Sondra & Stewart Block in memory of Helen Block
Lois Fisch & Richard Goodman in memory of Sherman Cohn
Michael Fleischhacker in memory of Hilda Fleischhacker
Joel Gallay in memory of Barbee Gallay
Paul & Leslie Gnatt in memory of Marian Feldman
Michael & Gail Kaltman in memory of Edward Sondik
Rosalind Goldfarb Levitt in memory of Harry Levitt
Michael Kurman & Patricia Hoff in memory of Win Greenwald
Phoebe Joseph in memory of Larry Michael Joseph
Dr. Murat Mayor & Atahan Mayor in memory of Sera Kush Mayor
Carolyn Peyser in memory of Abby Levin

Doris Povich in memory of Stanley Strichartz
Stephen Raucher in memory of Helen Raucher
Michael & Beverly Rothschild in memory of Arthur Schor
Debi & Max Rudmann in honor of Rabbi Shmuel Leigh & Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum
Jane Shotkin in honor of Freyda & Jeffrey Schneider
Lori Simon-Rusinowitz in memory of Ilyse Simon-Gontovnik, William Simon, Maxine Simon, and Edna Silk
Terry Singer in memory of Ethel & Reuben Singer
Elinor Sondik in memory of Larry Joseph
Richard Turtil in memory of Estelle Turtil
Claire & Steven Weiner in honor of Kathi Dennis
Judith Weisman in memory of Mildred Stern
Barry & Suzanne Williams in honor of Moti Galil
Rivka Yerushalmi in honor of Colleen Kemp
Lynn Meltzer in honor of Bobbe & Herb Mintz