AJAS History

The Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS) was founded in 1960 as the North American Association of Jewish Homes and Housing for the Aging (NAJHHA). It was created and continues to function as the central coordinator for homes and residential facilities for Jewish elderly in North America. Dr. Herbert Shore was the driving force behind the establishment of AJAS and was the organization’s founding executive vice president and first president.

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, AJAS is a unique forum that promotes and supports elder services in the context of Jewish values through education, professional development, and advocacy and community relationships.

AJAS represents the best interests of the Jewish aged in communities where membership organizations are located. The members of AJAS administer to the needs of the aging through residential health care, assisted living and group homes, independent and congregate housing, and living-at-home service programs.

AJAS functions to promote the unique role and mission of Jewish-sponsored not-for-profit organizations serving the aging by arranging educational meetings for the mutual exchange of information and ideas for members and all organizations for the aging, working jointly with and supporting other organizations which serve the aging, working with members to improve the operation and status of each members organization, and by concerning itself with the welfare of and advocacy for all elderly.

AJAS Members
The AJAS membership is comprised of over 95 organizations, including Jewish-sponsored nursing homes, housing communities, community based service organizations and outreach programs throughout the United States, and Canada.

Past Board Chairs

Carol A. Irvine
2021-22

Andrew Banoff
2019-21

Daniel Reingold
2017-19

Jeff Cohen
2015-17

Carol Silver Elliott
2013-15

Martin A. Goetz
2011-13

Barbra Gold
2009-11

Molly Forrest
2007-09

Eli Feldman
2005-07

Lee Olitzky
2003-05

Michael Ellentuck
2001-03

Nita Corré
1999-2001

Harvey Finkelstein
1997-99

Charles P. Berkowitz
1995-97

Elliott Palevsky
1994-95

Sheldon Blumenthal
1993-94

Bonnie G. Fass
1992-93

David Glaser
1990-92

Mary Ellen Lavery
1989-90

Dennis J. Magid
1988-89

Richard S. Lamden
1987-88

Charles S. Wolfe
1986-87

Ira C. Robbins
1984-86

Maurice I. May
1982-84

Gerald N. Cohn
1980-82

Howard B. Bram
1979-80

Sidney Friedman
1977-79

Bernard Liebowitz
1975-77

Jack Esman
1973-75

Jacob Reingold
1971-73

Sidney Entman
1969-71

Arthur Waldman
1968-69

Mitchell Waife
1966-68

Dr. Solomon Geld
1964-66

Jacob G. Gold
1962-64

Dr. Herbert Shore
1960-62