Linda Zweig, left, Barbara Fallick and Etta Spiegel toasted their confirmation during the ceremony at LAJH’s Grancell Village campus. (photo courtesy of Los Angeles Jewish Health)

Los Angeles Jewish Health recently celebrated three residents – Etta Spiegel, 96; Barbara Fallick, 82; and Linda Zweig, 81 – who underwent a confirmation after completing rigorous studies of Judaism.

Residents of LAJH’s Grancell Village campus in Reseda, the women were honored at a ceremony on Oct. 18, where they displayed their mastery of Jewish scholarship and prayer for family and friends. During the ceremony, each chanted from the Torah and offered insights into their studies. The event was led by LAJH chief mission officer Rabbi Karen Bender.

“These women wanted to deepen their Jewish knowledge, and they studied with me for about a year in preparation for this day, ultimately becoming experts in an area of specific interest to them,” Bender said. “Their passion and determination were incredible to behold.”

Bender said Spiegel, Fallick and Zweig are inspirational, and added that she was impressed by their depth of research and level of understanding of the subjects studied for their confirmation.

“It was a spiritual and intellectual accomplishment,” Bender added. “When you heard them talk about the learning that they had done and then teaching and being in a leadership position, it knocked your socks off intellectually. They also shared about their own spiritual growth.”

Bender said Fallick analyzed family, conflict and struggle in the Book of Genesis. Spiegel focused on the Passover story, exploring the notions of freedom, family, aspects of the holiday and how the struggle for liberation is continual. Zweig focused on Midrash, a genre of rabbinic literature and method of biblical interpretation.

At the ceremony, the women were given a framed photograph of them with the Torah, a sculpture inscribed with their names and a certificate of confirmation. Los Angeles Jewish Health Board chair Judy Friedman-Rudzki praised the women for their dedication and perseverance.

“Your example shows us that there’s no limit to what we as women can accomplish,” she said.

“Thank you for showing all of us that age is only a number,” LAJH president and CEO Dale Surowitz said. “What you accomplished here makes it clear that we can do anything if we put in the hard work and follow our hearts.”

Bender said it was the first time such an elaborate study had taken place among LAJH’s residents, and she credited a late resident, Ellen Meli, for working with her on the initial idea. Bender said she plans to expand the program allowing Spiegel, Fallick and Zweig to share more information about their studies and experiences, with the goal of inspiring others.

“This is an example of achieving a dream here at LAJH, which is our goal for every single person,” she said. “Striving the whole year has been thrilling for them, and the pride that they felt on the day and also the reaction of their congregation. Their peers are so inspired, and a number of people have already approached me and said, ‘What can I do?’”

Founded in 1912, Los Angeles Jewish Health (formerly Los Angeles Jewish Home) is the largest nonprofit, single-source provider of comprehensive senior health care services in the Los Angeles area, serving nearly 4,000 people each year. For information, visit lajhealth.org.