Our Story

Serving the Jewish elderly on the Lower East Side

Project Ezra is a nonprofit organization that works with the frail Jewish elderly to live with dignity, companionship and community on NYC’s Lower East Side. Founded in 1972, we provide hundreds of elders with a variety of services and activities to reduce their social isolation and to enhance their lives. 

We were founded to bring light and joy into seniors’ lives by following the principle of tikkun olam and the Psalm: “Do not forsake us in our old age; as our strength seeps away, do not abandon us.”

Today, five decades after our founding, the need for our work is more acute than ever. Project Ezra currently serves over 200 elderly who are economically, physically or psychologically marginalized and as longevity increases, so do the needs of the elderly population we serve. 

Meet Our Board

Alan J. Gerson – Harriet Kohn – Geraldine E. Murphy – Rina K. Pianko – Sheila Rubin – Chana Silberstein – Sharon Silver – Joan Sokotch – Jaclyn Steinbach – Ron Wegsman

Project Ezra helps hundreds of frail and lonely elders on NYC’s Lower East Side to live with dignity, companionship and community

Our Elders

All of our elders are aged over 65—most are in their 80s and 90s but some are over 100! Many of them have lived on the Lower East Side for decades, often their entire lives. Others found refuge here after surviving the Holocaust or immigrating (emigrating) from the former Soviet Union. 

Each elder is different and so their physical mobility, psychological well-being and financial needs vary. In addition to programs and services, we provide seniors with regular visits and telephone reassurance, checking in on them and reducing their social isolation. Although we function, in part, as a traditional social service organization, we strive to be much more by embracing the spirit of family and community.

Our Programs

Social Work
Russian-Speaking Population
Jewish Peoplehood
Housekeeping
Groups
ARSP Volunteers

Contact Us or Visit

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