Arranging to interview Varda Butcher was more challenging than one might imagine, since her diary is packed with social and cultural events. At age 75, she lives in apartment within the Beit Tovei Ha’ir Senior Residence with a panoramic view of North Jerusalem, but she’s not often home.
“There’s swimming every morning, plus exercise classes, Tai Chi, Feldenkrais, hydrotherapy and bridge classes, plus a choice of excellent Torah classes every morning and evening. There are concerts every week – inside in the winter, and on the terrace in the summer. I love the music lectures by maestro Paul Salter, and I recently started painting. You’re lucky to catch me!”
Varda was born in Tel Aviv to Holocaust survivors, served in the Israeli Air Force, and moved to New York in her 20s to study English Literature, so she is fluent in Yiddish, Hebrew and English. She and her husband Howard moved back to Israel in 1995, but her husband passed away within 18 months, leaving her to create a new life for herself at the age of 47. She worked as a psychologist and lived in the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem. Today she has two married children – a son in Modi’in and a daughter in California – and as an only child, she has very little family.
After a medical procedure when she was 69, Varda booked into Beit Tovei Ha’ir for a month of rehabilitation, after finding out that most of the other respite facilities in the Jerusalem area were not kosher. She was impressed by the wonderful staff and she felt very comfortable with the other residents, who welcomed her warmly. After the month was over, her son encouraged her to stay on instead of returning to her empty apartment. “He said that it would be better for me, and that he would not have to worry so much about me!”
“I quickly made friends, and today I have a group of girlfriends who like to go out together. On Fridays, since we don’t have to prepare for Shabbat, I take them out in my car to have fun. Because I have my own apartment, I really value my independence and enjoy cooking for myself and my friends. Despite my busy schedule, I also try to visit some of my neighbors who are less mobile and active.”
During the COVID-19 lock-down, Varda really appreciated the assistance of the medical staff and their caring support of all the residents. Since October, with Israel in a state of war, the residents have come together to organize care packages and bake challot for the soldiers, to say Tehillim for Israel’s soldiers, and to meet up with a group of evacuated seniors from Kiryat Shemona who are living in a nearby hotel. “At times like this, I really appreciate being part of a supportive community instead of living alone.
During her four years at Beit Tovei Ha’ir, Varda has been involved with the residents’ committee and appreciates the management for being open to listening to their suggestions and making changes. “The food committee met with the chef and helped him to modify the lunch menu to include healthier choices. For example, I enjoy the refreshing vegetable buffet every day, but I can also indulge in coffee and cake at tea time. In the evenings, I sit with my friends in the lobby to listen to the pianists who come to play for us.”
“I’m very grateful that I made the decision to move here before I got too old to enjoy all the facilities. Now I’m really living the good life!”