Uncategorized – Aviva Foundation

Welcome to the Good Life: Honoring Rabbi Brenner Glickman

Cindy Wyman on November 3, 2026

A strong community is built on compassion, generosity, and a commitment to caring for one another. These values are at the heart of Aviva Senior Living’s 2027 Welcome to the Good Life fundraising brunch, honoring Temple Emanu-El Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman on Sunday, February 7, 2027, at 11:00 a.m. at Michael’s on East. Ryan and Sepi Ackerman will serve as event chairs.

A home is more than a place to live. It’s where friendships grow, memories are made, and people find a sense of belonging. No one should have to fear losing that because of financial hardship.
That belief has guided Aviva Senior Living since its founding in 1993 and remains at the heart of its Benevolent Care Fund. On Sunday, February 7, 2027, Aviva will celebrate this promise at its Welcome to the Good Life fundraising brunch, honoring Temple Emanu-El Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman—a longtime friend and champion of Aviva’s mission.

The fund helps cover housing, meals, healthcare services, and transitions to higher levels of care, allowing residents who outlive their financial resources to remain in the community they call home.

“At Aviva, we believe every senior deserves the comfort of knowing they will always have a place to call home,” said Jay Solomon, President and CEO of Aviva Senior Living.

For more than two decades, Rabbi Glickman has been a devoted friend and advocate of Aviva, championing its vision of creating a Jewish oasis for seniors. His warmth, humor, and commitment to community reflect the values at the heart of Aviva’s mission: compassionate care, connection, and dignity for every resident.

“I am honored to be associated with an organization that is so deeply committed to service, care, and resident satisfaction,” said Rabbi Glickman. “Helping ensure that others can experience that same sense of community and care is one of the most wonderful gifts we can give.”

Welcome to the Good Life is more than a fundraising brunch. It is an opportunity for our community to come together and ensure that no senior faces the future alone. Every gift helps preserve Aviva’s promise that residents can continue to experience the comfort, security, and connection of home.

Join us as we honor Rabbi Brenner Glickman and support Aviva Senior Living’s Benevolent Care Fund.

Sunday, February 7, 2027
11:00 a.m.
Michael’s On East

To explore sponsorship opportunities, reserve seats, or make a gift, visit foundation.avivaseniorlife.org or call 941-203-6237.

Relive the Magic from The Voices of Aviva!

Cindy Wyman on May 13, 2026

The photos are in, and now you can relive the magic of our 2026 gala, “The Voices of Aviva.” Our magical evening at The Ora was a celebration of Aviva’s mission and our three decades of dedication to seniors across Sarasota. From inspiring stories brought to you by residents and families of our campus, to a raucous live auction, every moment of the evening was something truly special. Click through the gallery below to experience it all!

Interested in learning more about how you can support Aviva’s mission? Curious about how funds raised impact the lives of our residents and the Sarasota community? Visit https://foundation.avivaseniorlife.org/impact-areas and see how your gift can make a difference today!

A selection of photos can be found below. To view the full gallery visit https://www.avivaseniorlife.org/the-voices-of-aviva-photo-gallery/

The Voices of Aviva - 2026

Aviva Receives Security Grant to Support Safe Passover Season

Cindy Wyman on May 13, 2026

On Thursday, April 2^nd, Aviva Senior Living, also known as the Sarasota Manatee Jewish Housing Council, received a $1,000 targeted security grant from the Jewish Federation to support enhanced security measures during and immediately following Passover.

As the community prepared to gather for the Passover holiday, Aviva remained deeply concerned by recent acts of antisemitic violence, including the horrific attack at Temple Israel in Bloomfield Hills. In response to heightened concerns nationwide, the SafeSRQ security experts have been actively monitoring local threat levels and working closely with law enforcement partners to ensure the continued safety of residents, staff, and visitors.

These efforts include requesting heightened patrols and increased attention from trusted law enforcement partners. The Federation’s immediate, one-time grant will help supplement Aviva’s ongoing investment in safety by covering the cost of enhanced live security, such as additional security guards during the Passover season.

“This grant reflects the remarkable generosity and commitment of our community to protecting one another,” Jay Solomon, President and CEO of Aviva said. “It allows us to continue gathering with confidence during an especially meaningful time on the Jewish calendar.”

Grant funds must be used within the next six weeks, orby May 30, and are specifically designated for live security services. They are not intended for physical security upgrades or training expenses.

Aviva Senior Living expresses its sincere gratitude to the Federation and to the community members whose generosity made this support possible. Together, these efforts reinforce Aviva’s unwavering commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and secure environment for all.

A Passover Tribute for Generations

VERONICASGRAPHICS on May 13, 2026

As Passover comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect and honor the generations of Jews who have helped carry the legacy and spirit of the holiday into our lives. At Aviva, Passover has always been one of our community’s most cherished traditions, a time when our entire community comes together, joined by friends and family, to celebrate, remember, and honor the enduring legacy of the Jewish people.

Aviva’s Passover celebration is a joyful, multiday, multilocation affair. We host over a dozen individual seders across two days, ensuring all residents, regardless of their health needs, can fully engage with the beloved traditions they grew up with. Our largest seders are held at Kobernick Independent Living, where over 150 residents, guests, and staff gather on both the first and second nights for a retelling of the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt and the enduring legacy of survival through unity.

This year, our seders were filled with both sadness and deep gratitude, as we mourned the loss of a truly incredible resident, Carolyn Linz Kaplan z”l.

For 14 years, Carolyn was a cherished fixture at Aviva. She helped shape our community as both a loving home and a place deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. She served three terms as President of the Resident Association, stepping in even when no one else could, and always led with unwavering devotion and grace. Carolyn fostered a true sense of mishpucha by founding the WeCare Committee, ensuring residents and families felt supported through illness, recovery, and loss. In her early years, she visited fellow residents in the hospital, arriving with her signature gift of comfort: chicken noodle soup. Beyond Aviva, she shared her powerful story of survival with students near and far, offering a meaningful firsthand testimony of the Holocaust.

Passover held a deeply special place in Carolyn’s heart. For many years, she led the second-night Seder, fondly known as “The Carolyn Seder,” working closely with our rabbis to preserve the traditions, songs, and passages she loved. Though she often joked about her singing voice, hers was always the loudest and most joyful during Chad Gadya. Carolyn was a true light on our campus: warm, devoted, and endlessly giving.

This year, thanks to the Kaplan family’s generous and loving gift, our community gathered around newly dedicated Seder plates inscribed in Carolyn’s memory and opened the new Our Community Haggadah. These are not simply ritual objects; they are vessels of memory, generosity, and love. They reflect Carolyn’s belief that Passover is meant to be shared, that stories must be passed on, and that every person at the table belongs. In every ritual and every song, we felt her presence.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the Kaplan family for this beautiful and enduring tribute. Through their love and generosity, Carolyn’s light continues to guide us, sparking connection, inspiring participation, and nurturing mishpucha at Aviva for generations to come. We are deeply honored to officially recognize our second night seder as “The Carolyn Kaplan Passover Seder.” May her memory forever be a blessing and always serve to inspire each of us.

In Memory of our Carolyn

The Voices of Aviva Come to Life

Cindy Wyman on May 12, 2026

It was an incredible evening as donors, supporters, residents, and staff of Aviva came together for our annual gala event. This year’s theme, “The Voices of Aviva,” focused on the stories of the residents and families who inspire the work we do every day. After guests enjoyed a lovely cocktail hour, they were treated to the stories of two of Aviva’s current residents, including one of our centenarians (actually 101 years old!), Sandy Klein. In addition to Sandy’s wonderful story of living at Aviva for over 14 years, the group heard from Joan Shuster and her daughter Shari Altman, who spoke about the warmth and love they have experienced as part of the Aviva family. As Jay Solomon, President & CEO of Aviva, so eloquently put it, “Every voice here this evening is a Voice of Aviva, and it is our responsibility to use those voices to celebrate the extraordinary lives of the residents who call our campus home.”

Did you miss this year’s event? There is always opportunities to help support seniors in Sarasota! Visit our Impact Areas page to see how your donation can change someone’s life. We are also thrilled to share some fantastic photos from Janet Combs at The Observer. The photos have been provided below but you can also click the following link to see the original article: https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2026/mar/16/annual-gala-celebrates-aviva-senior-livings-impact/

The Voices of Aviva!

The Golden Age of Aviva Shines Bright, Raising Over $400,000

Cindy Wyman on May 12, 2026

(March 26, 2025) SARASOTA, FL – The Golden Age of Aviva: Celebrating the Journey proved to be an unforgettable evening of inspiration, generosity, and show-stopping entertainment on Saturday evening, March 22. The gala raised approximately $400,000 to support Benevolent Care, Safety and Security, Life Enrichment Programming, and the Memory Garden at Aviva Senior Living.

Guests were welcomed into a dazzling world of elegance, storytelling, and community impact.

The night also featured a deeply moving testimonial from 100-year-old Carolyn Kaplan, who is redefining the golden years. Her awe-inspiring attitude and perspective on the aging process left the crowd speechless, serving as a powerful reminder of the resilience, wisdom, and joy that come with each new chapter of life. Click below to watch her testimonial video:

Aviva Senior Living extends its deepest gratitude to its sponsors, donors, and guests for their unwavering support. The success of The Golden Age of Aviva marks a new chapter of growth and sustainability for the organization, ensuring that seniors in the Sarasota community continue to thrive in a nurturing and engaging environment.

New Foundation Website Makes It Easy to Give

Cindy Wyman on May 12, 2026

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Aviva Foundation website. A user-friendly design makes it easy to learn about all the ways your donations make a difference in the lives of our residents.

Our Benevolent Care Fund, for example, provides assistance for qualified residents who outlive their resources through no fault of their own. Gifts to our Life Enrichment Programs support a variety of stimulating cultural and educational experiences on Campus.

We invite you to learn more about how your donations make an impact on the lives of our residents in Kobernick House (Independent Living) and in Anchin Pavilion (Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation).

Your financial support helps ensure our residents continue to live extraordinary lives with access to the care they may need for as long as they need.

To learn more about giving options or how to maximize the impact of your gift, visit Aviva Foundation or contact our Foundation Office at 941-203-6237.

Recognizing the Good Donor Appreciation Event

Cindy Wyman on May 12, 2026

On Sunday, November 17, Aviva Senior Living welcomed donors to Kobernick House from 4-6pm for an appreciation event featuring wine and hors d’oeuvres in the Rotunda, followed by a brief program in the Kretzmer Center.

“We can never say “Thank You” enough”, remarked Jay Solomon, President and CEO of Aviva. “So today, we begin to do that publicly and honor everyone who helped make the dream of the Jewish Housing Council a reality.”

Over 90 guests, donors, residents and board members, mixed and mingle and reconnected in the Kobernick Rotunda.

Eric Fox, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Aviva Senior Living, welcomed the attendees to the Kretzmer Center for the formal program. “It is my heartfelt pleasure to welcome you to our first appreciation event as we honor the generosity that has supported the vision of a nonprofit rental retirement community that offers a continuum of care.”

Two recognition boards were presented during the program. The Lifetime Achievement board, which reflects the cumulative gifts received over a donor’s lifetime. Many of our guests today began their support of the Jewish Housing Council over 30 years ago.

The second is a new recognition board that pays tribute to the vision of our Founders and ensures that Aviva will serve the community for years to come. The Marie Brown Visionary Society honors donors who have included Aviva Senior Living in their estate planning. These thoughtful contributions ensure we can continue to provide exceptional care and support to our residents for years to come.

In close, Solomon stated, “Your support will continue to make a lasting difference at Aviva, ensuring we can provide exceptional care and a loving community for years to come. We look forward to many more opportunities to honor and thank you.”

GALLERY

Check presentation for Hurricane Recovery

Cindy Wyman on May 12, 2026

“We are grateful for organizations that see the need and give to support our Campus’ recovery efforts”, stated Jay Solomon. “We are thankful for their generosity.”

Aviva Senior Living President and CEO Jay Solomon welcomed Shepard Englander, CEO, Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee to the Aviva Campus on Friday, November 8 for a check presentation. The gift was made from the Federation to support recovery efforts from Hurricane’s Helene and Milton.

“The Aviva community is proud to provide safety and security to our fellow senior living communities and their residents residing in Sarasota,” stated Solomon. “This past hurricane season has been the toughest on our senior communities and the worst that we have witnessed in more than the last 10 years.”

Recovery efforts continue at the Aviva Campus as internal and external systems are repaired. Donations are gratefully accepted that will fund roof and awning damage and repairs to electrical systems.

Make a donation today at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/sspp

Book of Remembrance

Cindy Wyman on May 12, 2026

Each year at Yom Kippur, we honor the memory of our loved ones who have passed away. The act of lighting a candle is seen as a way to honor and remember the deceased, filling the void left by their absence with light and warmth. May their memory be for a blessing. View the 2024 Book of Remembrance (5785)

To recognize a loved one CLICK HERE to print out form

The Voices of Aviva - 2026

In Memory of our Carolyn

The Voices of Aviva!

GALLERY

When: Sunday, February 7, 2027 11:30am-1pm

Where: Michaels On East

Welcome to the Good Life Brunch