By Jon Moskin
Renen Amir’s path to Life Enrichment programming was anything but conventional.
Before coming to the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (the Campus) nearly two years ago, Renen lived in Israel, where she earned a PhD in philosophy of art and taught at the university level. She enjoyed the work and the life of the mind, but still, at times, life in the ivory tower left her unfulfilled. She was ready for a change. And it came sooner than she thought when her husband got a job in the Bay Area. So, as the family relocated, Renen reevaluated.
“I decided that I needed to do good in the world,” she said. “I wanted to help people.”
She went back to school to study drama therapy, completing her clinical training at the Campus, where she worked closely with residents in memory care, blending therapeutic modalities with creativity, play, and other gateways to human connection. It didn’t take long before she was hired full-time as a Life Enrichment Coordinator. And today, Renen facilitates activities for residents in both memory care and assisted living, creating experiences that are imaginative, emotionally engaging, and most of all, fun.
What makes her approach unique is the way she reframes dementia itself.
“Many people think of dementia only as loss or decline,” she explained. “But I also think we gain something magical. A freedom to play.”
That philosophy comes alive in the daily programs she organizes. Some days, residents “travel” together on an imaginary airplane ride to Paris, complete with music, visuals, and conversation about strolling the Champs-Élysées. Other days, groups create magic potions around an imaginary campfire, take hot air balloon rides, or invent playful stories together in the moment.
“There’s a lack of inhibition that can lead to imagination, humor, joy, and playfulness,” she said. “Every single day has magical moments. And no two days are alike.”
Indeed, that unpredictability is part of what makes the work so meaningful. “You don’t know what you’re going to walk into or what kind of interactions you’re going to have.”
Alongside the laughter and creativity, there are also quieter moments of connection: sitting one-on-one with a resident, listening to their concerns, offering comfort, or simply being present. And these connecting moments seem to be every bit as impactful on Renen as they are on the residents she cares for so deeply.
“It’s the best part of the job,” she said.
She also sees family involvement as an essential component in the psycho-social well-being of our residents. Spouses and loved ones who visit regularly often become deeply woven into the fabric of the Campus, joining activities, building relationships, and helping to shape the atmosphere of nurture and belonging.
“A family member can shift the energy in the room immediately,” she said. “They become a valued part of the community.”
Renen says one thing stands out above all else: love.
“There’s so much love around this building. We give it, we receive it. It’s like a currency here.”
Renen
For someone who once taught philosophy, the transition into memory care may seem unexpected. And yet, for Renen, it makes perfect sense. Indeed, she will be introducing a philosophy group to the residents next June.
But regardless of the activities and engagements Renen and the entire Life Enrichment team bring to their beloved residents, one thing is certain: each experience is designed to spark creativity, foster meaning, and strengthen the sense of connection that makes this community feel like home.