The New Jewish Home mourns the passing of longstanding board member and social work leader Joan Wachtler. Her dedication to improving the lives of older adults was an inspiration to all. We were grateful to have honored Joan at our 2014 Eight over Eighty Gala. Please watch this wonderful short video from the 2014 gala.

Joan was a New York State clinical social worker and an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Public Administration at Long Island University. She was renowned for having established, developed and supervised programs centered on the continuum of care for frail older adults with the purpose helping them thrive in the community. In government service, she was Chair of the Town of North Hempstead Housing Authority and a member of the Nassau-Suffolk Bi-County Planning Commission. Her tireless efforts earned her awards from the New York State Office for the Aging, the New York City Council, the Queensboro Council for Social Welfare. Subsequent to her retirement as Associate Executive Director of the Samuel Field YM-YWHA, Joan was an integral member of The New Jewish Home Board, where she chaired our research committee. All of us at The New Jewish Home will miss Joan’s passion, generosity and kindness.

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