Senior Life
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Suzanne Stein Jewish Pavilion Senior Services Featured Volunteer by Hedy Bass
A t the age of 87, Carole Heller exudes the energy of a woman half her age, with few signs of slowing down. A native New Yorker born in the Bronx, Carole’s family moved to Miami, Florida when she was in her senior year of high school. At a party hosted by mutual friends, she met Jerry, the man she would eventually marry. “He was a year ahead of me at the University of Miami and the smartest guy I ever met,” says Carole, who now resides at Grand Living Park at Lake Mary. “When I went to the University of Miami, we found that we were in some of the same golf and tennis classes.” In 1956, the couple married. Their love of literature and journalism led them both to long, successful careers as educators. “Jerry taught sixth grade and I taught English and journalism in junior and senior high school,” she says. Carole was also actively involved in the Miami chapter of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America – even serving as its president. When Carole and Jerry decided to retire, they moved to Sweetwater Oaks in Longwood, where she joined the Orlando chapter of Hadassah, becoming its president the following year. L ike many who volunteer their time and talent to help others, Suzanne Stein possesses a strong desire to give back to her community. It’s a desire rooted in her Jewish faith, professional background, and strong connection to seniors. “When I was just two, my family moved from Miami, Florida, to Columbia, South Carolina, where my father became the director of the Jewish Community Center,” says Suzanne. “In high school, there were just five Jewish kids in the entire school, and my sister and I were two of them. Since childhood, I’ve always been involved in Jewish life and have strongly identified with Judaism. I’ve never lost sight of that.” In 1983, Suzanne graduated from college and moved to Florida to pursue a career in physical therapy – often working with senior patients. Six years ago, her mother passed away, leaving a void in Suzanne’s life. She has since found comfort and purpose as a volunteer with Jewish Pavilion Senior Services (JPSS). “I felt that engaging with the senior community would give me a connection to my mom and her generation,” says Suzanne, who volunteers at a senior living community in Longwood.
“What’s nice about that is my mother- in-law once lived there, so volunteering helps me remember her, too.”
Suzanne especially enjoys talking one-on-one with the senior residents and listening to what she calls “the chapters of their lives.” On occasion, she also helps with holiday services there and likes watching everyone interact with one another. “It’s wonderful what we can do through JPSS by giving residents a sense of community and connection, both culturally and spiritually,” says Suzanne. “I always wanted to give back to the Jewish community, and now I can. It’s all very meaningful to me.” Nancy Ludin, CEO/executive director of Jewish Pavilion Senior Services, says Suzanne has made an enormous impact on the residents she visits. “Suzanne’s background as a physical therapist who specializes in seniors makes her the ideal companion,” says Nancy. “She’s friendly, understanding, and a superb conversationalist as well as a great listener.”
Jewish Pavilion Senior Services Featured Resident Carole Heller by Hedy Bass
“It was through Hadassah that I first met Gloria Newberger [the late mother of Nancy Ludin, the CEO/executive director of Jewish Pavilion Senior Services],” says Carole. “She’s the one who got me interested in the work of the Jewish Pavilion and who encouraged me to join the organization’s board.” Carole spent years volunteering for JPSS and also served on the board of Friends of the Pavilion for a couple of years. She is now a grateful recipient of the wonderful work the organization’s staffers and volunteers do, such as celebrating Jewish holidays and Shabbat with residents of local senior living communities. Although Carole feels fortunate to have family close by (including two sons, three grandsons, and one great-grandson), the Friday night Shabbat services at Grand Living give her an even greater sense of community. “Having a time where we’re all together, especially when we celebrate Seder, is so exciting and delightful,” says Carole. “It’s such a warm feeling. It tells all of us that we’re cared about, not forgotten. It’s good to feel needed, wanted, and loved.”
20 J LIFE | FALL 2025
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