As retirees embrace the next phase of life, many make the big decision to move to a senior living community. Some want to downsize from a big house, and shed the burden of yard work and home maintenance. Others move to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Many are looking for a community with a wealth of social opportunities to make new friends. And most want the safety and security that a Life Plan community offers, with a full menu of care services. Whatever the reason, Lions Gate is so proud to welcome new residents to our beautiful campus everyday, and we are excited to share some reflections from our newest residents here. While no two stories are ever the same, when read as a whole they reflect the happiness and contentment so many people have found living at Lions Gate. We hope you’ll take a moment to enjoy their anecdotes, as you learn more about this supportive community. Our door is always open to you…
Jean Milos
Jimmy Smith, Jean’s son, Jean Milos, Safe Haven Resident, Tammy Smith, Jean’s daughter-in-law
“Mom’s independence has always meant so much to her — and to us. We were nervous about her move to Safe Haven, but the care and support she receives here have exceeded our expectations. She’s more active, engaged, and fulfilled than ever, and we couldn’t be more grateful!”
Hadassah at Lions Gate
No matter our age, we all strive to make the world a better place. Giving back isn’t just an option—it’s the right thing to do.
With the High Holidays upon us, many look to welcome the new year by donating to favorite charities. For the many Lions Gate residents who are proud members of Hadassah, every day is a good day to help others.
Marilyn Sefret
Lions Gate resident, Marilyn Sefret, with granddaughter, Rachel Welner, and daughter, Susan Wenger.
I moved to the Independent Living neighborhood in 2016 and transitioned to Assisted Living in 2022. It takes courage to embrace change with grace, but that’s exactly what I did. Lions Gate is where I belong.
Don Fletcher
Don Fletcher, age 105, one of the original Lions Gate residents
I have been blessed with longevity, and here, my mind is always stimulated. I am able to keep learning and growing because they take care of so many of my needs. Maybe that’s why we have so many centenarians at Lions Gate.
Bob and Hazel Lampf
Hazel Lampf, Skilled Nursing resident and her husband of 58 years, Bob Lampf.
No matter what curveballs life throws their way, Bob and Hazel Lampf still manage to try to keep a good sense of humor. “After 58 years together, we’re still laughing,” said Bob. “And that’s quite something considering the health issues that Hazel has had to endure over the years.”
Lions Gate Ping Pong Club
What did you do for fun as a kid? Before Netflix, video games, and TikTok, all the neighborhood kids used to get together in someone’s basement and play ping pong. It was fun — lots of laughs, lots of crazy shots, and lots of great memories made. Fast forward 70 years to today, and the Lions Gate Ping Pong Club brings just as much fun to the table — lots of laughs, lots of crazy shots, and lots of NEW memories made.
Phyllis & Allan Solden
Assisted Living and Memory Care residents
After 65 years of marriage, being together is second nature to us. Living in a community where we can easily mingle back and forth between Assisted Living and Memory Care brings us comfort. And the best part? We still share a goodnight kiss every evening.
Steven Anderson
Steve Anderson, resident since 2020 working out with Justin Maksimow, Physical Therapist.
Justin put together a regimen of exercises which directly address my balance and muscle control deficits to help prevent falls. Aging is a fact of life, but problems with balance, muscle control and stamina don’t have to be.
Len and Marilyn Freedman
Assisted Living Residents Since August 2022
“They provide us with the amount of support we need. Not so much to be overwhelming. Just the right amount and at the right time.”
Lions Gate Pool Club
Swimming is an ideal workout for seniors. Best of all, our residents get to swim all year round, even in the winter. “We don’t need to wait for blue skies or warm weather to go for a swim,” says Pool Club member Ruth Gross. “We can just grab a towel and jump in any day of the week!”
Jules Gold
Age 94, Skilled Nursing
Resident since November 2022
“Age is just a number here at Lions Gate.
The love, the care, and the attention I get makes me feel forever young.”
Lions Gate Welcoming Committee
When you move into a new community, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. When you move to Lions Gate, your worries disappear in a blink, all thanks to the Welcoming Committee. This resident-run group has created a wonderful buddy system that makes the transition seamless for new residents.
Lorraine Pincus
Lorraine Pincus is a vital, active Lions Gate resident.
Lorraine has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“My mother is a force of nature,” said Lisa Stanwyck, Lorraine’s daughter and caregiver.
Lions Gate Broadway Club
Who doesn’t love live theatre? There is nothing like it and here we get chauffeured to great seats of many Broadway hit shows when they come to Philly. It’s so convenient and FUN!
Rabbi Herbert Panitch
Resident since 2022.
Rabbi Herbert Panitch has always lived a life of faith, and at almost 91 years of age he’s still inspired by the devotion of others.
Jane & Ron Katzberg
Residents since 2020.
Jane and Ron Katzberg know each other so well.
Yet, after 65 years of marriage, they can still surprise each other.
Judy Pyle & Lew Schwarz
Judy Pyle & Lew Schwarz, Lions Gate Residents – Dating Since 2019.
“We met at dinner and the rest is history. There is so much to do together here at Lions Gate. Our lives are wonderful.”
The Lions Gate Mind, Body & Soul class
“We love the Mind, Body & Soul Wellness class! We believe that exercising every day improves our health and helps extend our lives.”
Lions Gate Book Club
“Just because we age, we never stop learning. Here, we exercise our brains with clubs, seminars and interesting guest speakers. It keeps us young!”
Edith Kalech
“I never expected to put on boxing gloves in my nineties, but our fitness specialist convinced me boxing therapy would help my hand tremors. I’m lucky to live here, where everyone cares about me.”
Pat Sabo
“Pat Sabo never expected to strike up a close friendship with someone half her age,
but life has a way of sending you the people you need in your life
at just the right time.”
Ruth Gross and Shirley Srolovitz
“When I came here, I was worried it would be hard to make new friends.
My second night at dinner, I met Ruth. We’ve been having fun ever since!”
Beverly Solomon
“Skittles and I are happy here. And with lots of walking paths, we both
get good exercise!”
Inge Miller
Lions Gate resident since 2021
Daughters Bonnie Miller-Hoffman & Fern Mitnick
“We worried every night about Mom living by herself.
We can relax now. She is in great hands here and she still feels like she’s home.”
Judy Franken
Lions Gate resident since 2007
“Unexpected health issues early on with my husband made the decision to come here so worth it. We were together. And the help and support here is priceless.”
Roy & Etta Cills
Lions Gate residents since 2007
We have led a charmed life, and living at Lions Gate makes us feel forever young!”
Roy & Etta Cills have traveled the world many times over. “No matter how many places we’ve visited, the happiness to be found in life is really in all the people you meet,” said Roy. “There are so many new ideas to learn about, new stories to hear, new friends to be made. We have never missed an opportunity to make new friends, no matter where we found ourselves in the world.”
Eliane
Lions Gate resident since 2014
“I knew I’d feel most comfortable living with people who shared my faith. They celebrate all the Jewish holidays here, and the High Holidays are especially nice.”
Dr. Rose Glassberg
Lions Gate resident since July 2020
Dr. Rose Glassberg, Lions Gate resident since July 2020, knows the importance of keeping your mind active.
“My parents were Eastern European immigrants,” said Rose. “I was the youngest of four children, born one month before the Great Depression hit. To think that I would ever be able to attend college, let alone get my PhD, was something my parents couldn’t even conceive of. But I just loved to learn. I am always reading, and learning, and teaching others. When your mind is active, you never feel old.”
Rena Sherman,
has a very contented outlook on life.
“I feel like I have had a very productive, interesting life,” Rena said. “I started singing professionally at age 13. I went to college and got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. I was a clinical social worker for 25 years at Jewish Family Services of Philadelphia, and I found it very gratifying to be able to help families and children in need. Over the years I have done volunteer work, and found ways to give back to a world that had given so much to me. I am grateful for all of it.”
Inek Einziger
Resident since 2007
Inek Einziger has lived a life of loss, but he prefers to remember it as a life filled with love. “To survive the Holocaust is to always carry with you the memories of those you lost,” said Inek. “But I also carry the memories of a life I built for myself here in America with my wife and daughters. I opened two stores. I owned my own home. I had many friends. My parents would be so proud to see how I made a full life for myself built on kindness. Kindness always comes back to you.”
Len Feldman,
looks back on his life with gratitude.
“I went to UPenn February 1953 – January 1957,” said Len. “I married my beautiful wife, Nikki, in March 1957. I joined the Army Reserves in 1956, and served two tours of active duty (May – October 1957, September 1961- August 1962). My father and uncles owned the business A. Feldman & Sons, in Camden, where we sold toys and novelties. It was fun working there in between my two tours of duty. After I left the Army, my father closed his novelty toy business, so I got a job with what is now Glaxo Smith Kline in September 1962. The years went by in a blink.”
Eva Vlessing
has grit. While so many of her generation have known hardship over the years, Eva has literally moved around the world to carve out a beautiful life for herself.
Born in Germany in 1929, Eva’s family watched Hitler come to power in 1933. With their safety in question, the family moved to Jerusalem in 1935. Eva’s grandmother was the first certified midwife in Palestine at the beginning of the 20 th century. Her patients were both Jews and Arabs, and she would travel to far-flung villages to deliver babies. “When you take the time to get to know your community, it’s hard to hold grudges,” said Eva. “We had wonderful Palestinian neighbors. I had a very nice childhood there.”
Michele Brill,
played many roles throughout her life — wife, mother, and educator.
“I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in physics,” said Michele. “At the time, the telephone company was desperate to hire engineers because all the men were off fighting in the Korean War. The company pivoted, and hired women who had degrees in physics, mathematics, or chemistry. I absolutely loved my job, and eventually was named one of the “Prominent Women of Philadelphia. So many in my family have attended UPenn, and I can honestly say that my UPenn education has served me well my whole life. The longer I live, the more I want to learn!”
Bernie and Marcia Shapiro
We did our research. Lions Gate has the best programming of any senior living community.
Bernie and Marcia Shapiro are both lifelong educators — she taught English, and he taught history. They know the benefits of research to fully understand a topic. “When we made the decision that we wanted to downsize, we didn’t just hop in the car and start touring senior living communities,” said Marcia. “We did our research first… “
Pearl Drelich,
played many roles throughout her life — wife, mother, and educator.
Pearl Drelich played many roles throughout her life — wife, mother, and educator. She is proud of her contributions in every role she played, but one of the most meaningful roles she played in her lifetime was that of an enlisted member of the United States Naval Reserve (Women’s Reserve), better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during World War II.
Millard Braunstein
says the secret to a long life is to never have too much down time.
At 94 years young, Millard Braunstein is like the Energizer bunny. A graduate of both Penn State and Temple Dental School, he practiced dentistry for 40 years before passing the practice on to his two daughters. “My wife, Renee, and I were married for 57 years. We have 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. I’m a regular at Temple Beth Sholom Shabbat services where I have been a member for 61 years.”
Sybil Bernstein,
decided to move to Lions Gate 15 YEARS AGO.
“I don’t always take years and years to make a decision,” laughed Sybil. “I first attended a luncheon introducing the Lions Gate community 15 years ago before they even had a groundbreaking. I thought everything they had planned sounded wonderful, so I always had it in the back of my mind that if my husband passed away I would move here when I was on my own. He died in June 2020, and I moved into Lions Gate on December 8, 2020. It was exactly where I needed to be at exactly the right time in my life.”
Elinor Kase likes to come and go as she pleases.
But I like staying here, too. It’s fun!
“To be happy, be grateful for what you have around you” said Elinor. “Look around Lions Gate. How can you not be happy with all of the services here? I have dinner cooked for me every night. I have housekeeping once a week. If I need anything, I just pick up the phone, and the concierge has someone at my door before we even hang up
At 85 years old, Lois Goldberg,
says she doesn’t need a bucket list.
“Why would I need a bucket list?” asks Lois. “I have everything I want here at Lions Gate. All of my furniture fit perfectly in my apartment, so it felt like home immediately. I wake up every morning, look out on my patio to this absolutely beautiful view of the big lawn and trees, and I say ‘Thank G-d I am here.’”
For Marian and Elliot,
2020 was full of ups and downs.
“We’d only been living at Lions Gate for a few months when the pandemic hit,” said Elliot. “We didn’t know what to expect, but Lions Gate handled it extremely well. Of course they follow all CDC orders to a T, but it’s all the little things they have done to keep our spirits up that have been so meaningful. They drop little surprises at our door all the time.”
Fred Rickey is new to Lions Gate.
He moved in mid-pandemic, in September 2020.
Fred Rickey is a researcher. As an historian of mathematics by profession, Fred loves an immersive deep-dive kind of project. He always said that when he retired he planned to go to the library. But the pandemic made that impossible, so now he spends his days — and nights — reading and writing about mathematics. His big projects include the mathematics of Leonhard Euler, the surveying work of George Washington, the history of the mathematics department at West Point, and the history of logic in Poland between the two wars.
Ruth Gross
credits Lions Gate with her sunny outlook on life.
“Every morning I wake up to a bedroom full of sunshine,” smiled Ruth. “And at the end of the day, I enjoy a beautiful orange and purple sunset in my living room. My apartment at Lions Gate has the most warm and peaceful atmosphere. It reminds me every day what a great decision it was to move here as I embrace this next phase of my life.”
Steve and Barb Anderson
look around their new Lions Gate cottage, and sigh.
“Do you hear that?” asks Steve. “That’s the quiet bliss of suburbia. After living for 25 years in downtown San Francisco, you don’t realize how much your body and soul values a little peace and quiet. We can sit out on our back patio, watch the sun set, and enjoy this beautiful open space full of sunshine and blissful quiet. It’s life changing. I look around sometimes, and can’t believe we’re actually here.”
According to Beverly Solomon,
the best thing about Lions Gate is the home-cooked food.
“I. Hate. To. Cook!” laughed Beverly. “I was getting tired of cooking for myself, so getting dinner served to me every day here at Lions Gate is a treat. And soon we’ll be eating together in the formal dining room again. If I’d known what a relief it would be to have someone else cook for me, I’d have moved here years ago.”
