Located in the heart of a historically Ashkenazi Jewish neighborhood in Queens, Atria Kew Gardens takes enormous pride in creating an environment that honors the values and traditions of its Jewish residents.
The High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are at the center of the Jewish calendar. Because of this, the Kew Gardens team is dedicated to ensuring that residents can meaningfully observe these sacred days.
Daniel Aponte, Director of Engage Life and Activities, develops programs that reflect the community’s diverse heritage. “For Rosh Hashanah, we set aside a room for our Jewish residents to engage in prayer.”
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time for prayer and gathering with loved ones. Atria Kew Gardens supports these traditions by providing quiet spaces for personal reflection and hosting communal activities.
The location of Atria Kew Gardens further enriches the lives of residents. “There is a synagogue and yeshiva right across the street,” Aponte says. “People who live nearby sometimes join our residents for services.”
This shared space bridges the gap between generations, providing residents with meaningful connection to the larger Jewish community of Kew Gardens. “There are lots of families in the area,” says Aponte, “which adds to the feeling of community.”
Many residents at Kew Gardens have rich Jewish histories. Some identify as Ashkenazi, tracing their roots to Central and Eastern Europe. Others are Sephardic, with heritage from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East.
“Regardless of religious background, our residents engage in all the holidays together. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Jewish or not,” says Aponte. “We do our best to make sure our events are all-inclusive.”
Migdalia Torres, Director of Culinary Services, goes a step beyond to ensure the community’s kosher dietary needs are met. “Kew Gardens is different from many senior living communities. We always provide food that adheres to kosher guidelines.”