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Jewish Senior Living magazine   2017/2018

TEEING OFF FOR THE GOLF TOURNAMENT OR COACHING BASKETBALL, HE KNOWS THE DRILL

“The Jewish Home is like an insurance policy,” states Peter Pollat. “You never know what the future will bring as you age. You never know when the Jewish Home may play an important part in your family’s life. It can really take a burden off a family.”

There are other significant reasons this Hillsborough resident has been an active and longtime Jewish Home volunteer and donor.

“Even though I didn’t have any relatives living at the Home, I’d heard so many good things about how it cared for seniors,” says Peter of his initial introduction to the organization. “I’d been on the boards of the Peninsula Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Community Federation, so when I was asked to serve on the Jewish Home’s board, it seemed like a natural way to branch out. I wanted to help ensure it for future generations.”

Peter served on the Home’s board of trustees for two terms, then followed it up with his involvement in the Home’s annual fundraising golf tournament, dinner and auction – firstly as a tournament committee member in 2003, then committee co-chair, and since 2005, chair of the event.

“I’m gratified with the community’s support of the golf tournament and the Jewish Home over the years,” he says, going on to mention that the Home’s beauty salon was the targeted area to benefit from the monies raised at the 2017 tournament.

“When this fund-a-need was spotlighted at the event, Abra Annes, the evening’s auctioneer, captured the camaraderie and warm spirit our residents experience in the salon,” notes Cyndi Kahn, who, as the Home’s special events and grants officer, works with Peter on the golf tournament. As a result, some $50,000 was raised to renovate the Home’s beauty salon and upgrade equipment. “Peter is open to new ideas,” Cyndi says. “He wants the event to be relevant in a changing world.”

A retired dermatologist, Peter was born in the Bay Area, and apart from a brief exit to do his medical residency, has lived here his whole life. Although he plays a little golf, he is a more avid tennis player, and a major fan of basketball and the home team, the Golden State Warriors. “I was there when they won in 1975,” he says. “I think they’re fabulous and they’re fun to watch.”

But he is more than an observer of basketball; he is also a coach. He has coached varsity basketball at Burlingame and Half Moon Bay high schools, as well as local Maccabi teams. “It’s a fun way to give back to the community and be involved with kids,” he explains.

About philanthropy, Peter says: “It’s tough to say no when good causes come asking. You can make an excuse, but it’s much nicer to be able to help. The Jewish Home is a great organization and I’m glad I’m able to contribute.”

Peter Pollat – planning pro, players’ promoter, and philanthropy’s fan.

Disclaimer: Website content that still bears the names Jewish Home of San Francisco and Jewish Home reflects material that is in circulation or was published before we became San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living – on which Jewish Home & Rehab Center, our acute geriatric psychiatry hospital, and the new Lynne & Roy M. Frank Residences and Byer Square are located. Wherever possible, new and updated website content will bear our new names.