“We all moved into Lions Gate the year it first opened. Eighteen years later, we’re still thriving in a community that offers us friendships, faith, and fulfillment. L’chaim to 18 years…and counting!”
Finding Life at Lions Gate: Chai Club Members Reflect On 18 Years
Chai is the Hebrew word for life, made up of two letters, chet and yud, with numerical values adding up to 18 according to gematria, the Jewish numerological system. Over the last 18 years at Lions Gate, life is what residents have found.
The Chai Club celebrates residents who moved to the community when it opened in 2007 and still live here today. There are 17 of them in all, and together they form a vigorous, active group involved in all facets of the Lions Gate community.
On our 45-acre campus, we offer a fitness center, arts studio and educational courses, among many other activities. At the March 7 Chai Club Breakfast honoring the 17, they discussed how Lions Gate has enhanced their quality of life.
Grace Denbo, her twin sister Rita and Eva Vlessing all said they like going to religious services. “I come from a religious family,” Vlessing said.
Irv Orel and Michele Levene Brill both enjoy staying active. Orel visits the fitness center three times a week, while Levene Brill takes full advantage of the community’s wellness offerings, including the fitness center, pool, fitness classes, and yoga. “A little exercise goes a long way to extending your life,” Levene Brill said.
Beyond fitness, residents stay engaged in a variety of ways. Marilyn Prant enjoys attending lectures on topics like American history, literature, and music. She also enjoys canasta, bridge, and mahjong with her neighbors.
Perhaps no Chai Club member, though, has been more active than Jackie Levitt. Levitt moved to Lions Gate because she was tired of “home maintenance,” she said. At Lions Gate, we offer maintenance-free living along with housekeeping services.
With no maintenance to worry about anymore, Levitt has had time for all her favorite activities. She taught tap dance for 10 years at Lions Gate and led 20 tap performances. She also co-founded the community’s book club, served on its Residents’ Council and Environmental Committees, and even participated in the Short Story Club. “What’s missing from society today is front-porch socialization,” Levitt said. “We found the front porch here at Lions Gate.”
She must be on to something. Other Chai Club members also talked about how they’ve “found the front porch” here at Lions Gate. Marilyn Prant said she felt isolated in her house before she moved to Lions Gate. “Now whenever I want socialization, I open the door and people are there,” Prant said.
Even during the COVID era of social distancing, Lions Gate residents stayed close. Muriel Troy remembered that everyone came to their doorways to talk to each other across the hall. “We kept social in a safe way,” Troy said.
This connection is probably why Chai Club members do not want to leave. Etta Cills said she “didn’t want to move to a 55+ community and then have to move again.” She described her cottage at Lions Gate as “a one-stop move.” Cills even recently sold the shorefront home she used to own in Atlantic City.
Pearl Drelich discussed how her children encouraged her to move to Lions Gate. Now, she says,”I’m a lady of leisure. I sit back and am waited on. My children”s minds are at ease. Every visit with my kids is relaxed. Life has been good to me. I’ve lived to be 100.”
Chai Club members may have been the first Lions Gate residents, but many have since joined them in our active, connected community. As Chai Club member Hildred Nozick put it, “Moving to Lions Gate was the right thing to do 18 years ago, and it’s the right thing to do now.”