Aviva and Tidewell launch Sarasota’s first Jewish hospice program

Aviva Senior Living and Empath Tidewell Hospice have launched Tikvah, a new Jewish hospice program in Sarasota that adds culturally and spiritually tailored support for patients and families. The program began Sept. 11, 2026, around Rosh Hashanah, and is available at no extra cost to people already enrolled in Tidewell care.

Why it matters: - Tikvah is designed to make end-of-life care more culturally and spiritually specific for Jewish patients in Sarasota. - The program adds rituals, clergy access and community support that can help patients and families preserve faith-based traditions during hospice care. - Aviva Senior Living and Tidewell Hospice say the effort builds on a long-running partnership focused on dignity at the end of life.

What happened: - Aviva Senior Living partnered with Empath Tidewell Hospice to launch Tikvah, described as Sarasota’s first Jewish hospice program. - The initiative was led by Sepi Ackerman, Tidewell Hospice’s director of Jewish community development. - The program officially launched Sept. 11, 2026, timed to Rosh Hashanah. - Aviva residents will have future opportunities to support Tikvah through volunteer work and an educational session.

The details: - Tikvah is an extra service offered through Tidewell Hospice. - Trained community volunteers run the program. - Services include bedside service boxes that bring in traditions such as Shabbat. - The program includes on-call clergy through a coalition of local rabbis. - Tikvah also offers Jewish vigils, Jewish music and related support. - Patients and families can join Tikvah for free as part of existing Tidewell care. - Patients who want Tikvah support can tell their assigned Tidewell social worker, who coordinates the visit. - Volunteers marked the launch with Rosh Hashanah observances, including the tradition of dipping apples in honey to welcome a sweet new year.

Between the lines: - The launch reflects growing demand for hospice care that matches religious practice as well as medical needs. - Aviva’s role is notable because the community identifies as Sarasota’s only Jewish senior living community. - Ackerman said the program brings Jewish spiritual connection and tradition into the hospice experience and thanked Aviva for supporting culturally and spiritually informed care. - The partnership also signals how senior living communities and hospice providers can work together beyond standard care delivery.

What's next: - Tidewell will continue offering Tikvah as a supplemental hospice service for Jewish patients and families. - Aviva expects to deepen community involvement through volunteering and education. - The broader partnership between Aviva and Tidewell will continue supporting end-of-life care for patients and families across the region.

The bottom line: - Tikvah adds a faith-specific layer to hospice care in Sarasota, giving Jewish patients a way to receive end-of-life support that aligns with both medical needs and religious tradition. - More information is available at Aviva Senior Life, Tidewell Hospice, Aviva Senior Life on LinkedIn, Aviva on Instagram, and Aviva on Facebook.