Seniors

Best Jewish Retirement Residence

Winning the Reader’s Choice crown for best Jewish retirement residence is a coup for the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living, since the entire Bay Area was up for grabs in the category.


This is hardly the only honor Reutlinger won this year. — the center was also honored with a Step II award from the American Health Care Association (the Oscar of the retirement residence industry). Its 160 residents enjoy 100 percent kosher food and activities ranging from tai chi and symphony concerts to trips to the ballpark and classes from Lehrhaus Judaica.


Tying for second place in the Bay Area were San Francisco’s Rhoda Goldman Plaza and the Jewish Home San Francisco.

First Place

Bay Area

Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living
Danville
(925) 964-2066
www.rcjl.org

Second Place

Bay Area

Rhoda Goldman Plaza
San Francisco
(415) 345-5060
www.rgplaza.org

Bay Area

Jewish Home San Francisco
(415) 334-2500
www.jhsf.org

Best Non-Sectarian Retirement Residence

There’s more than one way to ride out the golden years. So, for those who prefer a non-sectarian setting, j. readers have selected clear winners under the rubric best retirement residences in the region: The Broadmoor Hotel in San Francisco; Byron Park in the East Bay; and The Forum at Rancho San Antonio in the South Bay/Peninsula.


Broadmoor manager Jacqui Lozada describes her San Francisco facility as “a non-moving cruise ship.” That’s because, she says, Broadmoor residents look for any excuse to have a party. How committed is Lozada and the senior staff? They live at the Broadmoor, too.


The 187-apartment Byron Park complex in Walnut Creek is just down the road from the JCC, and at least a third of the residents are Jewish. Assistant director Skip Dodge says Byron Park residents are remarkably self-sufficient, considering the average age is 85. Regular activities include aqua classes, tai chi, gardening and a weekly cocktail party.


The 400 seniors living at the 55-acre Forum aren’t just residents. They’re owners, buying a membership interest in the community. “With a typical retirement home, you pay and don’t get anything back. Here you get back your initial investment and share any appreciation 50-50 with the Forum,” says community relations director Jean Newton.


Second place went to Rossmoor in the East Bay.

First Place

San Francisco

The Broadmoor Hotel
(415) 771-9119
www.thebroadmoorhotel.com

East Bay

Byron Park
Walnut Creek
(925) 937-1700
www.byronpark.com

South Bay/Peninsula

The Forum at Rancho San Antonio
Cupertino
(650) 944-0190
www.theforum-seniorliving.com

Second Place

East Bay

Rossmoor
Walnut Creek
(925) 988-7700
www.rossmoor.com