Weinberg Village Chai Tea to honor Barbara Gerson

Barbara Gerson The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Village Assisted Living Residences will honor Barbara “Bunnie” Gerson, its executive director, at its annual Chai Tea on Sunday, Feb. 21 from 2 - 4 p.m.

Gerson, has just returned to her post after a leave of absence.

In addition to honoring Gerson, music will be provided at the Chai Tea by the Weinberg Village Warblers and by local musical talent.

Funds raised at the Chai Tea will go to the Friends of Weinberg Fund at T.O.P. Jewish Foundation, which is used to provide extras for the residents of Weinberg Village. For example, the Friends recently purchased chandeliers for the dining room, and a new large flat-screen television for one of the lounges.

During Gerson’s six years at Weinberg Village, the facility has been refurbished, a memory support unit has been added, two new enclosed gardens have been developed, and the number of residents has grown.

“The Chai Tea not only provides funds that enrich the lives of Weinberg’s residents, but it also serves to energize the staff and to help make our job better,” Gersib said.

A native of New York, Gerson earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the City College of New York, before going on to receive her master’s in social work from Yeshiva University — Wurzweiler School of Social Work.

Her early years as a social worker were spent as a Protective Service worker for the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services. After taking time off to raise her two children, Gerson turned her attention to her true passion in the field of gerontology. Before coming to the Tampa Bay area, she honed her skills in social services and marketing at the Jewish Center for the Aged Nursing Home in Cherry Hill, NJ and the Jewish Family and Children’s Services and the Gladys and