1963 - 2019
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Warm and Inviting in all Seasons
About Council Gardens
Council Gardens provides quality affordable housing and a full array of supportive and life enrichment services for low-to-moderate income senior adults. Founded in 1962 by the National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section, Council Gardens is the vision of NCJW member Ruth Einstein, who was quoted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on November 11, 1962: “The dreams and efforts of almost a decade are now being realized. Our hope and prayer on this day is that Council Gardens will become a worthy model residence for our Senior Citizens.” With NCJW’s financial and volunteer help through the last 54 years, Ruth’s hopes and prayers were answered.
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New Front Entrance Sponsored by NCJW
Zen Garden
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Our new zen garden is located at the North end of the property. It provides a peaceful and welcoming space for tenants to enjoy the outdoors and view our beautiful fruit orchard while sitting under the latticework structure and listening to the calming murmur of a bubbling fountain.
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Resident Gardening Project
Council Gardens is situated on seven and a half acres in Cleveland Heights. Our 122 apartment units, located in one midrise and eight garden buildings, are connected by glass-enclosed breezeways alive with plants year round. Our buildings are surrounded by manicured lawns with benches and trees; by gardens - vegetable, flower, berry, fruit orchard and our new Zen Garden; and by play areas – a small playground for tots, exercise stations for adults, patios with grills and a dog park. Rentals are available for lower income households in which at least one member is 62 years old and for mobility impaired adults under 62. HUD subsidies are available to qualifying adults.
Planting in One of our Vegetable Gardens
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Fruit Trees in our Orchard Bear Fruit
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Board of Trustees Involvement
One of the most unique aspects of Council Gardens is the connection between our tenants, members of our Board and the community. On any given day you can observe a volunteer from the Board, from NCJW or from our many supporters, teaching a class, leading a discussion or accompanying our tenants on one of our outings. These dedicated people ensure that every tenant’s needs are being addressed.
ESL class
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Tenants and Board Celebrate Together
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Life Enrichment Activities
While government subsidies provide Council Gardens’ core-operating support, private funds raised though our Friends Campaign and through foundation grants support: holiday celebrations; English and computer literacy classes and tutoring; library groups; day trips and outings such as dance and theater performances, and Severance Hall and Blossom trips; outdoor fitness stations; Zen Garden; healthy breakfasts and brunches; health fairs and blood pressure checks; weekly fresh vegetable and fruit programs; cooking classes; a small convenience store; extensive gardening programs; and an emergency loan program.
Life Enrichment Activities are designed to encourage Healthy Lifestyle Choices.
Cooking Class in Our Renovated Kitchen
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Day Trip to Chargin Falls
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Annual Report
Support for Life Enrichment Programs
Donors to our Friends Campaign
National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section
The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation
Eva L. And Joseph M. Bruening Foundation
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Harry K. Fox and Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation
Jewish Federation of Cleveland Supporting Foundations
The McGregor Foundation
National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section
The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation
Eva L. And Joseph M. Bruening Foundation
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Harry K. Fox and Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation
Jewish Federation of Cleveland Supporting Foundations
The McGregor Foundation
2018-2019 Board of Directors
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Julio Pelsmajer – Chair
David Gross – Vice Chair Larry Schneider – Treasurer Gretta Ryan – Secretary Elaine Geller- NCJW President |
Becky Chesler – Immediate Past Chair
Aaron Bulloff – Past Chair Debbie Hoffmann – Past Chair Linda Friedman – Past Chair |
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Ann Adamson
Sue Biaganti Sandra Boyd Barbara Epstein Phil Fine Shelly Friedman Scott Lepa Jamie Lowy Sue Maier Larisa Marmerstein |
Annette Paley
Sue Pelleg Aurelia Pelsmajer Rita Politzter Paul Sobel Rochelle Solomon Lewis Sternberg Louise Sternberg Hyla Winston |
Council Gardens Staff
Barbara Mervine, Executive Director
Jacqueline Feldman, Director of Development/ Community Relations
Lois Cohen, Business Coordinator
Spencer Caress, Special Projects Associate
Sima Kogan, Social Services Coordinator
Reginald McKissick, Director of Maintenance
Brian Ross, Assistant Director of Maintenance
Igor Vorotilkin, Maintenance Technician
Jacqueline Feldman, Director of Development/ Community Relations
Lois Cohen, Business Coordinator
Spencer Caress, Special Projects Associate
Sima Kogan, Social Services Coordinator
Reginald McKissick, Director of Maintenance
Brian Ross, Assistant Director of Maintenance
Igor Vorotilkin, Maintenance Technician
