Kittay Staff
Arlene Richman, Director, Kittay House
As director of Kittay House, Arlene Richman is responsible for making Kittay House a community where seniors want to live. Before Joining Jewish Home in 2000, She was the director of the Adult Day Care Center for Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center, then located in River Vale New Jersey. She became the Director of Kittay House in 2003.
Under her leadership, Kittay House has undergone a $10,000,000 building – wide renovation of its’ 295 apartments and common areas incorporating state of the art technology designed to support and maintain independence.
Arlene received a BS in art education from NYU and a MS in art therapy from Hahnemann University. Arlene and her team strive to create a community rich in opportunities for creative expression.
Completed an Administrator in Training program at Jewish Home Bronx Campus Jewish Home.
Certificate in Long Term Care Administration from St Johns University
Certificate in Aging and Mental Health from Brookdale Center for Aging
CASP (Certified Aging Services Professional from AASHA American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
Diane McTigue – Associate Director of Kittay House
With the Director, Arlene Richman, she is responsible for making sure that Kittay House is a place that our seniors enjoy living.
Prior to coming to Kittay House in 2003, she was Director of Older Adult Services in Bergen County, NJ for Catholic Community Services. Diane has worked in Adult Day Care, Skilled Nursing and Care Management for seniors. She has striven to promote independence, choice and dignity for older adults and brings that focus to Kittay House.
Diane received her BA in Psychology from Marquette University and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Fordham Univeresity. She has a Post Masters Certificate in Aging and Mental Health from Hunter College, Brookdale Center on Aging.
Michael A. Taylor, Kittay House Housekeeping Manager
Michael A. Taylor became Housekeeping Manager at Kittay House in 2006 after serving three years as a supervisor for Jewish Home Healthcare. Over his eighteen years in the field of Environmental Services, he has performed in various capacities at acute care hospitals, four star hotels and commercial facilities. He is a veteran of the U. S. Navy and has visited over 30 foreign lands. He has an A.A degree in Communications from National University, San Diego, Ca. He enjoys jazz music, sports and cooking; recently he made his stage debut taking on the role of Esther in Kittay’s “Purim Schpiel” production. Born in New Mexico, and the father of four great children; he lives in Bronx, NY with his wonderful wife, Deborah.
Amy Gruszewski, Creative Arts Leader, Kittay House
The Creative Arts Leader at Kittay House plays an important role in shaping our community. The activities provided give tenants the opportunity to really live life together; to celebrate our joy, reflect on our disappointments, and to find significance in all. Whether it is writing a song, painting a picture, getting in shape, playing a favorite game or learning a new recipe; whatever the activity is, it goes way beyond the task itself. It is not just sharing a meal together we have just prepared; it is sharing the memories of cooking the same dish with your mother, and laughing about the time you added way too much salt. The encouragement of reflection in our day-to day existence, that is how lives are enriched. Meaningful activities make Kittay a community where seniors want to live.
Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from UW-Madison in 1995, with a focus on Choral and General Music, and much experience using music to enhance lives of all ages. The Kittay Community Chorus is the most recent example of this, tenants are boasting new breathing techniques, and meeting challenges through musical material, many times in other languages. Life certainly does not end with Independent Living, and the arts play a big part in this new chapter. Now is the time for your hopes and dreams, now is the time you get to do all of those things you have wanted to all of your life. The Creative Arts Leader at Kittay House enables these goals in a personal way.
Naomi Chiel, Jewish Program Coordinator, Kittay House
I care deeply about Jewish life – its culture, history, traditions, celebrations, sources and ethics and have been fortunate to be able to share my knowledge and love of Judaism in work I have done over many years. A graduate of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, I have served as program coordinator in a number of settings: at the New York Association for New Americans, The Board of Jewish Education of New York and at the kibbutz in Israel where I lived for three years.
My role at Kittay is to build a program rooted in Judaism that stimulates, challenges and delights the people who make up Kittay. My larger goal is to build upon the strength of community at Kittay, in all its diversity. We nurture connection through community wide celebrations, study groups, informal discussion circles, volunteer activities, intergenerational programs with visiting groups, among other things.
Each Kittay tenant has his or her unique interests and passions. I make a special effort to learn about the individuals who make up this lively community so that I can respond to their needs and continue to help make Kittay House a vibrant community filled with culture, learning and joy.
Diane “Dee” Williams: Move-In/Vacate Manager
As the Move-In/Vacate Manager, I am responsible for providing support and assistance to the tenants and their families during the transitional process of moving into and out of Kittay House. By serving as a liaison with your movers and furniture deliveries; it is my hope to create a stress free transition.
Upon your arrival here at Kittay, I will provide you with a tour of your new home. Familiarizing you with the: Common Areas, Garden Level and the 1st fl. I will also instruct you on the on the security features within your apartment and explain the policy and procedures of the building.
I am also a Notary Public and can assist you with your Access-A-Ride applications and appointment bookings.
Maayan Schneider, Marketing Manager
As one of the Marketing Managers at Kittay House, I am often the first face of Kittay House that a prospective tenant, or their family member, meets.
I answer the many questions that arise from each inquiry, and assuage the concerns the family might have. I encourage them to tour Kittay House, and see for themselves what a beautiful community we are.
Lastly, I follow up with the family and prospective tenant throughout the process – “First Call to First Night!” – to make this transition as positive and smooth as possible.
It is my pleasure to add new and interesting faces to our vibrant community.
Lillian Negroni – Marketing Manager
Becoming a Marketer for Kittay House was a smooth transition. Before becoming part of the Kittay House family, I conducted a memory study for Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. I had the opportunity to interview some of the tenants and develop a relationship with them as well as the staff. I fell in love with Kittay and what it stood for…. giving the elderly an opportunity to still shine in a safe environment.
As a caregiver, I understand and am able to help with family dynamics accordingly. I’m not just doing my job, but I can identify with them. It gives me great pleasure to show prospects and their families the advantages they would have living at Kittay.
