Penylan House promotional booklet, Cardiff, 1965

Description

A booklet announcing the opening of a new wing of Penylan House, which would allow room for 24 more residents.

The cover of the booklet features a black and white illustration of an elderly couple next to the title 'You've Opened the Door for 24 More'. The inside page of the front cover features an introduction from the president of Penylan House at the time, Samuel Z. Cohen, detailing the expansion as well as the ethos of the home. Throughout the booklet, there are quotes about care and kindness from Psalms and Proverbs, giving an indication of the religious focus of Penylan House. There are photographs of the interior and the exterior of the home as well as of residents enjoying meals, the recreation room and occupational therapy. The provisions for those of the Jewish faith is highlighted by details of how Kashruth is adhered to and regular services are held in the synagogue of the home.
In the centre of the booklet is a page which uses phrases such as "YOUR DESTINY IS TO AID" and that the "true meaning of existence is to repay all God's bountiful gifts" to encourage donations. The booklet contains an envelope to enable readers to send donations or purchase an annual membership to help sustain the care home.

Towards the back of the booklet, the home's admission policy is outlined , stressing that "preference for admission is given to those who cannot pay" as well as a page containing four photographs of past presidents of the home between 1944 and 1959. The final page states that yearly membership and donations in 1963 had raised £2,679 2s. and 3d and that if "ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY would subscribe", the figure would be doubled.

Pencare (formerly known as 'The Trustees of Penylan House') is a charity, which offers care for elderly people of the Jewish faith and is currently based in Cardiff, although the catchment area for the home covers South Wales and the West of England. Pencare has been working with Linc Cymru to redevelop their care home, Penylan House, to ensure high quality care to Cardiff's elderly Jewish community and extending the care to elderly people not of the Jewish faith.

Sources:
http://opencharities.org/charities/243968 http://www.housingcare.org/downloads/facilities/generated-brochures/134508-penylan-house-nursing-home-cardiff-wales.pdf.

Depository: Glamorgan Archives.