by Toby Klein, Assistant Director of Adult Day Services
“Working at GADOL is like having Happy Birthday sung to you when it isn’t your birthday.”
During a Shabbat dinner recently, someone asked me what my first month working at GADOL, Keshet’s adult day program, has been like. I paused for a moment as my mind ran through memories of team members overcoming challenges, laughter heard around every corner and the artwork and photos that now overcrowd my office. It was hard to think of just one way to describe the joy that comes with working alongside these incredible team members.
After a few moments of reflection, I remembered a call I had received from four team members the day before.
They called me to sing me happy birthday.
It was not my birthday.
They knew it was not my birthday.
They knew it wasn’t anywhere near my birthday.
But their laughter throughout the chorus gave away their secret—the call had nothing to do with my birthday at all. The team members simply had joy in their hearts that day and wanted to share it with me. What an honor that is.
This past month has been joyous in so many ways and has far exceeded my expectations coming in as the Assistant Director at GADOL. I knew I would wear many hats: supervisor to our DSPs, QIDPs and managers, supporter and advocate for team members and colleague within Keshet’s interdisciplinary team. What I didn’t know was that my role might also include hair stylist, nail technician, confidant and friend.
I also could never have imagined how neshama (soul)-affirming it would be to work with such talented, funny and kind people each day.
May your days be filled with joy, love and opportunities for unexpected connection—whether it comes in the form of a hug, a high five or even a perfectly timed not-birthday birthday call.
