The ABC's of Kinneret
Kih-NEHR-et. Located near Lake Lucerne in downtown Orlando, Kinneret Apartments derive their name from the Hebrew word kinnor, meaning harp. The harp-shaped Lake Lucerne reminded Abe Wise – one of the original founders who located the site – of Israel’s own harp-shaped Sea of Galilee, known as Lake Kinneret.
The idea came about in 1960, when members of the local Jewish Community Council learned about a HUD program that provided low-interest mortgages to build affordable senior housing. According to the exhibit Kehillah: A History of Jewish Life in Greater Orlando, Kinneret (now known as Kinneret I) opened in ’68 with 168 apartments starting at a monthly rent of $75. A second tower, Kinneret II, opened in ’79 with 112 more apartments and a central dining room and kitchen connecting the two 15-story buildings.
The 280 apartments serve seniors who have a maximum yearly income of $32,100 (equal to 40% to 60% of the area median income). Preserving existing affordable housing and providing services for these seniors are goals the City of Orlando has as an AARP Age-Friendly Community. The city’s Age-Friendly Initiative Action Plan shares these goals and aims to help seniors age in place despite rising housing costs throughout Orlando.
No. All of KCOA’s programs and services are available to every resident. Many non-Jewish residents attend and enjoy Shabbat services and other Jewish holiday celebrations. Although KCOA was originally formed to provide a kosher dinner program to Jewish residents, services have expanded over the years to meet the physical, social, and psychological needs of a broader demographic. As part of its mission to help older adults age in place with enjoyment and peace of mind, the council’s new KCOA on the Road program will bring Shabbat services, Hanukkah festivities, and other events to venues outside of Kinneret Apartments.
Says Susan Godorov, KCOA’s executive director, “It is our goal to move appropriate services out into the community to serve a Jewish population that is being underserved.”
Yes. Kinneret’s trustees recognized the need for a complete renovation of the apartments that were built decades ago. After 4 years of research and consideration, it was decided that the only feasible way of accomplishing such renovations was through a sale. The two towers comprising Kinneret Apartments were sold to Fairstead, a private developer and manager of low-income housing projects in 2022. Fairstead’s history of preserving affordable housing and experience with building rehabilitation made it the top choice. The company’s expertise was evident when renovations were completed, which included facade and roof repairs, common area improvements, modernized kitchens and bathrooms, new flooring, senior-friendly accessibility improvements, and upgraded building systems, as well as energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and plumbing fixtures in every unit. The buildings’ many amenities remain: a community room with an accessible kitchen, a computer lab, a beauty salon, a library, a boutique, laundry facilities, an emergency mobile call button pendant system, controlled-access entry, elevators, storage, and a service coordinator.
Yes. While Fairstead has taken over as Kinneret’s property owner and manager, Kinneret Council on Aging’s mission of “caring for those who cared for us” remains. In fact, a big part of what made Kinneret so appealing to Fairstead were the unique services KCOA provides to residents. Fairstead has asked the organization to continue offering these services.
Currently, KCOA is providing Kinneret residents who are most in need with numerous food programs, including a food pantry twice a month, fresh produce on the non-pantry weeks, bread and jambalaya kit distribution, continental breakfast twice a week, cooked meals four days a week, and kosher holiday meal delivery, as well as a special Thanksgiving meal and gathering for all residents. Health and fitness remain another focal point, with weekly chair exercise classes and Orlando Ballet’s Gentle BeMoved program, along with health fairs and informational presentations from outside healthcare providers and insurers. Musical programs, movie nights, and arts and crafts provide additional engagement and socialization.
And then there’s Shabbat! Friday Kabbalat Shabbat services are led by several KCOA volunteers, some of whom have been giving freely of their time for 30 years. Morris Rashi led services almost every week during the 2000s and 2010s. Neal Blaher, current KCOA president, has led countless Shabbats as far back as the 1990s and continues to do so to this day. In recent years, Cantor Nina Fine has brought a more musical Shabbat service to Kinneret, and the newest volunteer, Cary Siegel, now regularly leads services.
Yes. The money from the sale of Kinneret Apartments to Fairstead was moved into a new, entirely separate organization that will be issuing grants to help the greater community. This charitable foundation will seek to fund programs and projects primarily benefiting Jewish seniors in Central Florida. As Neal explains, “To continue carrying out our programs as we have in the past, KCOA needs to maintain our nonprofit status, which means we need to continue receiving donations.” Adds Susan, “We must fundraise to keep our nonprofit status. There is still a great need at the property to cover food and social events and social outings.”
Kinneret Apartments may be a viable option for them! Kinneret Apartments are a low-income, independent senior housing complex set in a lush area in beautiful Delaney Park. The newly renovated complex features stainless steel appliances, wood-like laminate flooring and even a dog park! Kinneret Council on Aging (KCOA) provides a plethora of engaging activities for the residents, including breakfast twice weekly, a food pantry, exercise classes, offsite excursions, holiday celebrations and much more, based on Jewish values! For more information visit www.kinneretapts.com