Like other Jewish-sponsored retirement communities, Village Shalom has celebrated many life-cycle events through the years – bar mitzvahs, brit milah (ritual circumcision) ceremonies, memorial and shiva (mourning period) services. Now it has added “wedding” to the list.

Roberta Pollack and Sam Goller were married recently in a traditional Jewish ceremony in Village Shalom’s Appleman Synagogue, with nearly 100 family members and friends attending from across the country. The couple chose Village Shalom not only for the synagogue’s beautiful setting, but to enable the groom’s grandmother, Rose Stolowy, to attend with ease. Rose, a Village Shalom Assisted Living resident, is 100 years of age.

The bride, Roberta Pollack, and groom, Sam Goller, celebrated with Sam’s grandmother, Rose Stolowy.

“We were looking for a space that could be our space,” said Sam, explaining how the couple chose the venue. “We were here for Grandma’s 100th birthday party last spring, and we liked the beautiful stained glass and the homey feeling of the chapel. The bonus and benefit is that Grandma is here. We’re excited to share it with the Village Shalom community.” He added with a chuckle, “We hope to be trendsetters.”

The couple was married by Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz of Springfield, MA. Rabbi Katz, who lived in the Kansas City area for a number of years, had developed a close friendship with Roberta. Although she now is the spiritual leader at Temple Beth El in Springfield, Rabbi Katz made a special trip to Kansas City to officiate at Roberta and Sam’s wedding.

She remarked during the ceremony, “It’s very special that you are having your wedding at Village Shalom. You are bringing your joy to the community, to the residents – and your grandmother will walk through this place and have special memories of this day.”

A reception followed in the adjoining Gerson Social Hall. As the festivities commenced, a passerby in the corridor learned that a wedding had just taken place at Village Shalom. He commented, “This really adds a whole dimension to this place. It shows that this really is a community – it’s full of life!”

L’chaim!