History of the Hollander House
In the late 1970s, the UJA/Federation of Eastern Fairfield County did a needs assessment survey to learn the needs of the Jewish community of the greater Bridgeport area. Among the most pressing issues was affordable housing for the elderly. Thus was created a committee to study and build affordable apartments. As the committee proceeded, the members learned that the cost to build such a facility would be prohibitive. Federation provided a loan. The Seymour Hollander Foundation also provided a start up loan. Longtime community activists formed the founding committee. A local law firm with deep ties to community service discovered the Section 8 program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. With financing from HUD, the building could be built. Because of federal funding, the site must be non‐sectarian and non‐denominational. Federation sold its back softball field to the newly formed Greater Bridgeport Jewish Housing Corporation so that the building could be constructed. While there was a giant hole in the ground behind the playgrounds of the nursery school at the Jewish Community Center, one of the teachers walked her nursery school class to the construction site where they buried their time capsule. Over the past several years, the nursery school at the JCC has paid visits to enjoy Shabbat with the Hollander residents.
Since construction completion in 1982, this faith based organization has owned, maintained and now self‐manages this 5 story building which houses nearly 100 elderly residents. Many of the residents are Jewish, among them a number of Russian immigrants. Events are always offered at the time of any Jewish holiday, and speakers come in to to discuss holiday traditions. In 2008, in conjunction with the Greater Bridgeport Jewish Housing Corporation Board of Directors, Jewish Family Service conducted this site’s first ever model seder. The model seder is now an annual event run by Hollander staff, Board of Directors, and community volunteers. It is a spectacular interfaith success. These are the events that improve understanding among the residents. In 2009, the Men’s Club of Congregation Beth El built a sukkah. Residents and/or board members offer to host the open houses and all residents are invited to enjoy some cider and snacks throughout the holiday of Sukkot.
Activities are diverse and include those which are just purely fun as well as those which are educational. A volunteer from the Jewish Home for the Elderly comes monthly to take blood pressure readings. The site hosts a flu clinic annually. The multi-purpose Community Room is often busy with BINGO, card games and Nintendo Wii interactive video games. The community kitchen is open for coffee klatch daily.
Staff continue to look for creative ways to offer more opportunities for residents to make friends and to experience a rich quality of life at the Hollander House.
Since construction completion in 1982, this faith based organization has owned, maintained and now self‐manages this 5 story building which houses nearly 100 elderly residents. Many of the residents are Jewish, among them a number of Russian immigrants. Events are always offered at the time of any Jewish holiday, and speakers come in to to discuss holiday traditions. In 2008, in conjunction with the Greater Bridgeport Jewish Housing Corporation Board of Directors, Jewish Family Service conducted this site’s first ever model seder. The model seder is now an annual event run by Hollander staff, Board of Directors, and community volunteers. It is a spectacular interfaith success. These are the events that improve understanding among the residents. In 2009, the Men’s Club of Congregation Beth El built a sukkah. Residents and/or board members offer to host the open houses and all residents are invited to enjoy some cider and snacks throughout the holiday of Sukkot.
Activities are diverse and include those which are just purely fun as well as those which are educational. A volunteer from the Jewish Home for the Elderly comes monthly to take blood pressure readings. The site hosts a flu clinic annually. The multi-purpose Community Room is often busy with BINGO, card games and Nintendo Wii interactive video games. The community kitchen is open for coffee klatch daily.
Staff continue to look for creative ways to offer more opportunities for residents to make friends and to experience a rich quality of life at the Hollander House.
"The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Connecticut law also prohibits discrimination in all of the above categories plus these categories:
lawful source of income, marital status, sexual orientation, use of a guide dog, and age."
