This Tree Is a Reminder That Life Is Beautiful

By Jill Duff-Hoppes

A tree grows in the lobby of Jewish Pavilion Senior Services (JPSS) in Altamonte Springs, but it’s not one that requires soil or water.

Rather, the artist-designed Tree of Life gives people the opportunity to pay tribute to their family and friends while simultaneously supporting JPSS.

The tree, which adorns an office wall, was designed in 2019 by Joanne Fink, creator of the Zenspirations method of rhythmic, patterned drawing. With a donation to JPSS, people can recognize or memorialize their loved ones by adding a leaf to the tree in the honoree’s name, says Nancy Ludin, chief executive officer.

Dolores Indek next to the wooden leaf honoring her parents

“Joanne’s design is beautiful and is the first thing you see when you enter the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services office,” says Nancy. “The Tree of Life allows people to preserve wonderful memories. Participants honor their loved ones for special occasions and put plaques of remembrance on the tree for those they have lost.”

Artist Joanne Fink has created several community Tree of Life projects, including one that adorns the Jewish Pavilion Senior Services office

The donation to add a small, temporary paper leaf to the tree for one year is $180. A larger, permanent, engraved wooden leaf is available for a donation of $500. A leaf can be donated by an individual, or a group of people can pool their resources for a leaf.

Dolores Indek, a JPSS volunteer, has donated a permanent leaf in memory of her parents, Abe and Edythe Indek. She has also donated a temporary leaf – twice – to acknowledge her brother, Mark Indek, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a resident of a senior-living facility, herself, Dolores is a big fan of Nancy and everything JPSS does to help the elderly Jewish community in Central Florida.

“The Pavilion is such a wonderful organization; it’s one of my favorites,” says Dolores. “I’ll do anything I can that helps, and the Tree of Life is a perfect idea.”

This story was originally published in print in Fall 2024.