Last Saturday night, Dec. 10, Chuck and Ellen Donen, residents of Pikesville’s North Oaks Senior Living community since 2015, were unable to attend the West Point, New York, wedding of their grandson, Joshua Goldstein, to Rebecca Kurtzman. So they did the next best thing: they livestreamed the ceremony.
Originally, the Donens, who’ve been married for 65 years, were going to reserve a small room at North Oaks and watch the simcha with a few close friends. But after receiving a meal request from the Donens, North Oaks Executive Chef Nate Finney had a better idea — why not turn the gathering into a special celebration for the entire senior living community?
With assistance from director of community life services Libby Rodriguez, Finney helped make the celebration an extra special one for the Donens and the North Oaks community. Finney replicated the menu as the one served at the New York nuptials, right down to the hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Meanwhile, Rodriguez ensured that the color scheme and decorations at the North Oaks soiree matched those at the wedding.
In addition, North Oaks staffers produced place cards, table numbers, entrée cards and other details to recreate the atmosphere of the wedding in West Point, which was officiated by the groom’s father, Beth Israel Rabbi Emeritus Jay R. Goldstein. The Donens and their guests were treated to a cocktail hour with servers attired in bowties and white gloves. Dinner and dessert were served after the ceremony streaming.
“My parents felt like they were there!” said Cindy Goldstein, the Donens’ daughter. “That was the point, as they were so disappointed they couldn’t be there in person. They were so happy to share the simcha of their grandson Josh’s marriage to Becky, with their friends at North Oaks. The ceremony came out loud and clear on Zoom!
“We are all overwhelmed by how the North Oaks staff care so much for my parents and wanted to make this evening special for them. The food, the flowers, the wedding cake, the linens and the service, and of course the Zoom and music, were just like we had at the wedding at the Thayer Hotel at West Point. So elegant!” she said. “Most of all, the residents of North Oaks were overjoyed with the whole evening and thrilled to be able to share in the celebration with my parents. We’ve been sharing the pictures of both events with everyone. We couldn’t be happier for my parents and for our children!”
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