Living Together, Choosing Together: Assisted Living in Jerusalem Offers Community, Independence, and Pluralism
Since its founding, the Nofei Yerushalayim assisted living facility has offered independence for its residents, alongside a pluralistic and inclusive community. This unique combination attracts immigrants from English-speaking countries who seek a high quality of life, independence and connection to the community even in their later years
From a bird's eye view, one might think that the Nofei Yerushalayim assisted living facility is actually a luxury hotel: an impressive building overlooking Israel's capital. But someone who focuses only on the view may miss the power and innovation that have characterized this place since its construction.
Founded by senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by former Knesset member and Naamat chairwoman, the late Tamar Eshel, Nofei Yerushalayim was created with the aim of changing the way we perceive and experience aging. Eshel and her colleagues sought to build a place where the abilities of older adults are preserved and even enhanced. The result is assisted living that is managed primarily by a management board elected from among its residents, supported by a set of dedicated facilities and services that are designed to support the facility's residents while maintaining their independence.
Alongside the security and protection that assisted living provides its residents (all entrances are monitored 24/7), the facility offers a full and accessible range of services. These include a minimarket, clinic with laboratory testing, bet knesset, gym, pool access and the beautiful balcony, hair salon, guest rooms for hosting relatives, and countless classes and activities. All of this is planned to preserve the resident's independence, connection to the community, and sense of belonging.
"There's something magical here. It's a diverse community where the residents themselves are the ones who manage the place," emphasizes Avigail Duke, CEO of Nofei Yerushalayim. "This means that the residents set policy themselves and are involved in many aspects of day-to-day operations. They have a lot of options for volunteering and initiative, and they feel that their voices are important. That creates a connection and sense of belonging to the facility."
What does that look like in practice?
"Every year residents are elected from the general meeting. The management board has nine representatives, some of whom continue from previous years to maintain continuity. They meet once a month and make important decisions. Apart from that, there are subcommittees for security, culture, resident admissions and visits – plenty of committees in which the residents can express their opinions."
And what does it mean for the staff working there?
"The staff is made up of professionals who implement the policies that the residents want in an optimal way. For example, if the residents decide to establish a club for people with cognitive decline, then my job is to establish it with the cultural coordinator and bring in the best instructors. If the residents decide to have outings once a month, then our job is to make that happen."
Is there a fixed schedule?
"We are not an institution like a nursing home, and that's really a fundamental difference. People sometimes make the mistake of thinking that a nursing home and assisted living facility are the same, but they are not. There is no structured schedule here and the residents are not told what to do. Some residents here are still working, some study in higher education institutions. It's like living in a community where you belong to your building and your city, but you can do whatever you want."
A long and full life
Today, like in the days when the facility was established, the resident population is characterized by a middle-to-upper socioeconomic status, and includes both secular and religious people. One of the most prominent features of assisted living is its pluralism – expressed in the shared experiences of diverse populations living under one roof. This combination, along with the facility's unique location in Jerusalem, attracts Jewish immigrants from English-speaking countries ("Anglo-Saxons"), who have chosen to make aliya out of a desire to be connected to the Jewish people or to live closer to family. Today, this population constitutes about 50% of Nofei Yerushalayim's residents.
Like many of the residents, Diana, originally from London, came to Israel following her children who made aliya. But when her husband passed away, she found herself alone. "I've been living here for several years," Diana says. "I came here because I was living alone in my apartment and felt very lonely. I really enjoy it here, mainly because of the social aspect.
"Also, you can always count on the staff to help you if needed. There is always a nurse available and doctors come here several times a week, so there are always appointments. Beyond that, I live a very independent life, just as I always wanted," Diana emphasizes.
Also, the facility notes that life expectancy in assisted living is significantly higher than the average, which currently stands at 85 for women and 81 for men. Eshel, the facility's founder, passed away only about three years ago, at the venerable age of 102. The management attributes this, in part, to the environment that allows residents to take initiative and responsibility – even at very advanced ages.
"We have a resident who volunteers to collect secondhand clothes, another who distributes the mail to the mailboxes, and a resident who took it upon herself to feed the fish every morning. These contributions enrich the residents themselves, and it's very meaningful," says Duke. "We know today that many issues faced by the elderly stem from loneliness, as we saw during the COVID period and the war. On the one hand, you don't want to bother your children, especially if they live far away. On the other hand, you don't want to overburden yourself. Our framework makes it possible," she explains the importance of the community and the residents living there.
in collaboration with Nofei Yerushalayim
