Blog archive
April 2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Claire Gorfinkel - Beyond the Village
By Blog MasterPosted: 04/02/2021
BEYOND THE VILLAGE
Claire Gorfinkel describes herself as a “social change activist.” She traces her activism back to 1969 when she joined the anti-war movement, and the staff of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). In 1988 she became a fundraiser to promote the AFSC’s work for social justice.
She retired from the AFSC in 2001 and plunged into the interfaith peace and justice community in Los Angeles, participating in countless marches, demonstrations and other actions. But, starting in 2005 she wrestled with trying to discern the next phase of her life journey. She decided to go to seminary to “fill in the crevasses in my Jewish education.” She pursued a three-year Chaplaincy program at the Academy for Jewish Religion, during which time she recognized that she was intensely interested in issues of aging, death and dying.
At the conclusion of her studies, she became the Chaplain of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, a role she continues to fill. “I love being available to people during both joyful and challenging times in their lives – including times of illness and death. Being present for people at difficult times is not depressing to me. It is very powerful, rewarding and uplifting.”
A recent example of her role at the Temple entailed coordinating delivery of complete Passover meals to people who were isolated during the holiday. “It was delightful to reach out to people and hear how happy they were to be thought of and included in the celebration.”
Claire’s other passion revolves around being outdoors, especially in and around Yosemite National Park. She traces her love of nature to childhood summers in the Sierras. For the past ten years Claire has volunteered with the Yosemite Conservancy as part of work crews that perform trail maintenance and habitat restoration in the park. She has enjoyed being able to explore different parts of the park and being part of a working community. “It is a way to give back to the National Park in appreciation for the enjoyment I have received.”
When the Pasadena Village was first being organized in 2012, Claire was making plans to move to a retirement community in Santa Rosa. The Village was her “back-up plan.” When the move fell through, she gratefully joined the Village. She thought “I don’t need any more friends …” but now she acknowledges that friends from the Village have been absolutely essential to maintaining her mental health during the pandemic.
Claire is very involved in Village life. In addition to being a Board member, she is chair of the Services Assessment Team (SAT) which pays extra attention to our frailest members. And she is a faithful member of the Hiking group, the Walking group, and the Altadena Foothills neighborhood group.
Clearly Claire can still be described as a social change activist who is using her life experiences to advocate for ways to redefine aging and ensure that older adults are equipped to make the most of the later years. She is an example of someone who is making a difference beyond the Village.