SARASOTA, Fla. — The Jewish Housing Council Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council, hosted a groundbreaking on April 6 for the expansion of a new multi-purpose community room for Aviva – A Campus for Senior Life.
The expanded multi-purpose room will be named THE KRETZMER CENTER AT AVIVA, honoring Sarasota Philanthropist Ernest Kretzmer, the lead donor on the project. The room will be used not only for Aviva educational and entertainment events but will also be open for use by the community including local non-profit organizations. The project will double the space of the existing room and it will feature the most up-to-date audio visual and hearing loop systems, completely enhanced seating and accommodations.
“We are very fortunate at The Jewish Housing Council Foundation to have donors like Ernie Kretzmer who recognize the need to enhance the lives of others,” said VP of Philanthropy Scott Anderson. “Ernie is dedicating this multi-purpose community room in loving memory of his wife Alisa*.”
Among the many attendees who participated in the groundbreaking were Jay Solomon, CEO of Aviva; Ernie Kretzmer, lead donor; Merrill Wynne, Jewish Housing Council Foundation Board President; Randy Mallitz, Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council Board President; Danny Bilyeu, Field Representative for Congressman Vern Buchanan, members of the Jewish Housing Council Foundation and Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council boards and project team. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast following the groundbreaking.
“Our planned expansion of the multi-purpose community room will provide more opportunities for lifelong learning through our Aviva University program and innovative health, wellness, and entertainment activities for our residents,” said Aviva CEO Jay Solomon. “We are all so excited to offer The Kretzmer Center as a valuable resource for the local community and non-profit groups.”
About Aviva - A Campus for Senior Life
Founded on traditional Jewish values such as a reverence for life and a belief in its dignity, Aviva is Sarasota’s only rental senior living community offering all levels of living: Kobernick Independent Living, Anchin Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Benderson Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation. Nestled in The Meadows in the heart of Sarasota, the beautiful, park-like campus was designed for residents of all faiths to be safely at home while enjoying family and friends, fun activities, luxury amenities, innovative programs and on-site healthcare services. Aviva is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization as established in 1993 by the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council, Inc. Aviva was formerly called Kobernick-Anchin-Benderson before rebranding in 2016. For more information, visit AvivaSeniorLife.org.
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Photo Caption for Enclosed Photo:
GROUNDBREAKING ACTIVITIES FOR THE KRETZMER CENTER AT AVIVA
The Jewish Housing Council Foundation recently broke ground on the expansion of a new multi-purpose community room to be named The Kretzmer Center at Aviva: A Campus for Senior Life. Shown left to right are Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council Board President Randy Mallitz, Jewish Housing Council Foundation Board Advisor Larry Haspel, lead donor Ernie Kretzmer, Jewish Housing Council Foundation Board President Merrill Wynne, and Aviva CEO Jay Solomon.
*of blessed memory