Senior lunches to end July 25

By Jewish Review

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The weekly Lunch and Learn program at Rose Schnitzer Manor of Cedar Sinai Park, open to community seniors, will be discontinued as of July 25 because Multnomah County declined to continue its financial support, announced David Fuks, CEO of Cedar Sinai Park.

According to Fuks, Multnomah County is changing its priorities for funding outreach and socialization programs in accord with modifications in the Older Americans Act. It is placing a greater emphasis on outreach to low income and ethnic populations, reflecting current national priorities.

In addition, the county required that religious activity during meals be curtailed.

“We are grounded in Jewish values,” said Fuks. “We could not imagine hosting a Friday luncheon and not being allowed to light Shabbos candles.”

“We are very proud of the wonderful Lunch and Learn program we provided, and we are sad to end it. Unfortunately, we cannot continue without county support,” said David Forman, outgoing CSP president.

Fuks emphasized that the county was very cooperative and “never heavy handed.”

“They gave us every polite signal they could that it was time to make a change,” said Fuks.

The program, which CSP took on as the Mittleman Jewish Community Center was divesting services during its financial difficulties, has become a popular service at the Manor. CSP invested close to $80,000 of its own resources to help maintain this program over the past few years.

CSP hopes to initiate an informal community lunch program where local residents would be invited to join friends on the campus for periodic meals and social activities. The organization will also host community events for residents and neighbors who wish to join in other social activities.