Local News
Levitt leaves Louis Brier
A farewell reception will take place Nov. 18 at the home.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
Friends, residents and staffofthe Louis Brier Home and Hospital will celebrate 16 years of service from their director, Ken Levitt, Nov. 18, before he retires from his post next month,
Levitt, who has served as the Louis Brier administrator since 1985, has chosen to move on to other challenges as he will turn 65 in January.
"I will miss the residents and their smiles," Levitt said when contemplating his departure. "I will miss the Jewish atmosphere at Louis Brier and I will miss the staff, the management and the board. I will miss everything,"
When Levitt assumed the role of administrator, the facility was beginning preparations for expansion. Although he wasn't sure if he would stay on for more than a few years, ho quickly fell in love with his job and spent the next seven years focusing on the expansion. He is satisfied with the development the Louis Brier Home has seen during his reign.
"When you leave an organization better than when you took it over then that is an accomplishment," he said. "We've had five or six accreditations and we always did well. Wo are considered leaders in the field of long-term care in British Columbia and I believe that we arc one of the outstanding organizations within the Jewish community of Greater Vancouver."
Levitt told the Bulletin that ho couldn't have been successful without the help of his board of trustees.
"I think that the board of trustees, who have been essentially operating Louis Brier for 55 years, are an awesome group of people," ho said. "I have been on several boards as a volunteer in this community and I believe that the Louis Brier has one of the most outstanding groups of volunteers. [Their] commitment is extraordinary."
Although he is retiring from Louis Brier, Levitt has already accepted another job which will keep him busy. He will serve as the new general manager of the Terraces on 7th, a new apartment building designed for seniors living.
"I wanted somehow to remain active physically and mentally and that's a good way [to do so]," he said of his now job. "Once I made up my mind that it was
Ken Levitt has been the administrator ol the Louis Brier Home and Hospital since 1985,
time to [leave Louis Brier], I really started psyching myself up for doing something difierent and this will be a little different."
The Terraces, located at 7th Avenue near Granville Street, will be equipped with an on-site spa and valet service with 20 apartments for sale and 83 for rent.
Born in Edmonton, Levitt is married to Leah, a principal of the Richmond Jewish Day School. They have a daughter, Don, and a son, Dan, who has followed in his father's footsteps as the administrator of Jackman Manor, a home for the aged in Aldergrove.
Before 1985, Levitt spent 17 years working in public and child welfare for the government as well as for the Catholic Family Service of Greater Vancouver. Ho also spent a year as the executive director of the Jewish Family Service Agency in 1972^73.
"I think that Louis Brier is going to become a centre of excellence for care, for research and for training and the future for Louis Brier is extremely bright," Levitt said about the years to come. "I think the whole Jewish community should be proud of what's been accomplished and what will be accomplished here."
As of press time, the organization was not yet ready to name the replacement for Levitt. However, an announcement is expected soon.
The entire Jewish community of Greater Vancouver is invited to attend the farewell reception in honor of Levitt. The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Louis Brier Home and Hospital. For more information, coll 604-261-9376. □
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