A Community called home

In a capital city composed of a vast cultural mosaic, the community of residents at Mediterranean Towers Jerusalem succeeds in creating a unique social fabric. With residents from around the world, moving volunteer initiatives, and rekindled romance – it turns out the secret lies in the connection between people.

When entering the Mediterranean Towers in Jerusalem's Arnona neighborhood, the atmosphere feels different. It isn't just the meticulous design, but the hum of conversation in the lobby: Hebrew, English, and French; religious and secular; native-born Israelis alongside new immigrants. Here, a true community has crystallized, granting each resident a sense of communal belonging and mutual responsibility alongside a private, independent lifestyle.

"The beating heart of the home is the community of residents," explains Noa Berdugo-Pasternak, CEO of Mediterranean Towers Jerusalem. "It is a special community built on values of openness, inclusion, giving, and genuine connection. It is a moving human mosaic that proves unity can be created from diversity. Beyond that, many residents give lectures, participate in cultural activities, and give of themselves in any way needed, thereby turning the home into a place where everyone can feel significant, express their skills, and contribute to others. This dialogue, the mutual respect, and the desire to learn from one another transform our home into a microcosm of a beautiful and united Israel."

Berdugo-Pasternak added that "The human capital is our greatest asset. The dedicated staff, many of whom have been with us for years, view their role as a mission. The experience of knowing there is someone who truly sees you, talks to you, and cares for you, is a central and important component of our daily work."

One of the tangible expressions of this community spirit and mutual responsibility is the "Volunteering Bank," an internal project managed by residents for their peers. "The ability of a person in the 'Third Age' to give of themselves to another, to teach a class, or simply to listen, is what creates a life of meaning and ensures that no one here remains alone," noted Berdugo-Pasternak.

"One of the advantages is that this is an intimate boutique home," explains Barbara Shema, Chairperson of the Residents' Committee. "Everyone knows everyone here and accepts one another. We are truly a modern 'Ingathering of the Exiles.' There are genuine connections here alongside inclusion and acceptance of people from different populations and countries, from various backgrounds and professional fields. These connections create interest and a zest for life."

According to Shema, beyond the vibrant social life, the home also provides a response to the more complex aspects of senior living. "Quite a few residents arrived here following the loss of a spouse and with heavy emotional baggage. They find here a community envelope that grants them empathy, support, and care—qualities that are important in life generally, and particularly after complex events. Alongside this, there are residents who have found true, beautiful relationships within the home, which certainly warms the heart and is moving to see."

Alongside the especially wide variety of activities, lectures, and events held daily, one of the social anchors of the home is "Cafe Chavruta," located in the lobby and serving as a daily meeting place. Every week, a cultural and social event takes place there, creating another connection point between residents, their families, and the operations staff. Furthermore, the local synagogue hosts a community of worshippers comprised of English speakers and Israelis, religious and traditional alongside secular residents.

Community activity does not stop at the home's borders. Throughout the year, residents of Mediterranean Towers Jerusalem participate in a variety of volunteer activities for the community. One of the residents' central activities this year is adopting lone soldiers living in the Arnona neighborhood, at the Michael Levin Center.

As part of this activity, residents assist the lone soldiers and provide them with personal support, ensuring they have hot food and cakes, and organizing activities around holidays and special events aimed at empowering the soldiers and giving them warm, loving attention. Additionally, through second-hand sales they organize, residents fund hot meals and activities for the soldiers.

"The knowledge that an 80-year-old resident cares for a 20-year-old soldier is proof that giving and helping others constitutes true meaning at any age," Berdugo-Pasternak noted, concluding: "At the end of the day, Mediterranean Towers Jerusalem is proof that even in the third age, human connection, giving to others, and the desire to be part of a strong, cohesive community are the key ingredients for a full and meaningful life."