10/7/26
A Symphony of Memories: Mary’s Dream Comes True
By: Maggie Conti, RBJH Director of Activities and Volunteer Services
The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home strives to develop deep connections with its residents—relationships rooted in knowing each individual and what matters most to them. So, when Peaceful Hearts Hospice nominated RBJH resident Mary Kaiman for a Dreamweaver Foundation wish to attend the Omaha Symphony, everyone worked together to make her dream a reality.
Mary has always loved all kinds of music, but classical holds a special place in her heart. For years, Mary and her husband were Omaha Symphony season ticket holders. Mary holds dear the memories of their time together enjoying music and strolling through the Old Market.
When the Dreamweaver Foundation granted Mary the opportunity to return to the symphony, the staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home supported the effort. The Dreamweaver Foundation provided Mary with a stylish new outfit, a corsage, tickets to see the Omaha Symphony perform, and transportation to the Holland Performing Arts Center. RBJH gave Olivia Chavez, a certified nursing assistant who is also completing her social work practicum at RBJH through the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the honor of escorting Mary on her special evening out.
On a Saturday evening in late September, the pair set off to see Falletta Conducts Gershwin & Strauss at the Holland Performing Arts Center. They left early to drive around the Old Market, giving Mary a chance to reminisce about the places she and her husband once frequented. Once at the Holland, they enjoyed a pre-show cocktail while noshing on charcuterie and chocolate. The concert itself was impeccable, rounding out a perfect evening.
Mary describes the experience with a smile, saying she “had goosebumps the entire evening” and “felt like she was living in a dream.” In addition to the concert, Mary appreciated the time they spent driving around the Old Market because it reminded her of the happy memories she shared with her husband. Mary said she was amazed by how much Omaha had changed. She was especially excited to see that Mister Toad’s was still there, noting that her husband had managed it for many years.
Christina Caniglia, assistant director of activities at RBJH, shared why this experience mattered so much to Mary.
“Mary is the loveliest person to all and her wish was so well-deserved,” Caniglia said. “As a professor of humanities, Mary devoted her life to the beauty of the human experience. She is a lifelong patron of the arts and her wish to attend a symphony performance was a beautiful celebration of music, culture, and the arts she has cherished for years.”
Moments like these reflect the broader experience families trust RBJH to provide—one where residents are not only cared for but also truly known, celebrated, and given opportunities to continue living meaningful and fulfilling lives. The guiding value of Mipnei Seiva Takum, to rise and show respect for the aged, is brought to life each day through the meaningful relationships formed between RBJH staff and residents.
The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is thankful to the Dreamweaver Foundation for making Mary’s wish come true. A special shout-out goes to Kelly Jacobs, volunteer and program manager for the Dreamweaver Foundation, for coordinating the details that made Mary’s special evening possible. This partnership is just one of the ways RBJH turns everyday care into something extraordinary.
For one unforgettable evening, Mary returned to a place that had brought her and her husband so much happiness. Sometimes a dream is as simple as returning to a place you love, listening to music that touches your soul, and making a few new memories along the way. For Mary, this experience was exactly that.
The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
