Just down the road from Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center is a senior living facility unlike all others, called Modena Cherry Creek. The facility offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care options, allowing seniors to age in one comfortable and luxurious place. Solera Senior Living, Modena’s parent company, has senior living communities across the United States in Las Vegas, Austin, North Carolina, Chicago, and along the East Coast. Adam Kaplan, the founder and an active member in the Denver Jewish community, opened the Cherry Creek facility in 2020.  

Residents range in age from 72 – 102. In addition to a wide assortment of ages, residents also have a variety of capabilities and independence levels. The best part? 33% of residents are Jewish! Allie Wilcenski, the director of Sales and Marketing, explains that “Modena Cherry Creek shares a border with the Denver Jewish Day School, which allows the students to come over to the facility for holidays. For instance, the students come over to play games, eat latkes, and light the menorah around Hanukkah time. They also will join throughout the year for arts and crafts, games, and poetry groups.” In addition to collaborating with Jewish organizations in the area, Modena offers a monthly Shabbat service as well as Jewish holiday meals including apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah, matzah ball soup with challah and brisket for Hanukkah, and all the seder plate fixings for Pesach. The opportunities to get involved with the Jewish community doesn’t stop inside the Modena walls. As transportation is included, individuals and groups can bus to JCC Denver to enjoy the Denver Jewish Film Festival, a quick mahjong game, or a dip in the pool. Allie shares that residents can opt in to their favorite activities whether they are on or off campus. “Modena offers fitness classes and lectures, boggle and movie screenings, and transportation and coordination for downtown adventures to see plays and go to the orchestra,” says Allie.  

Modena’s values community, inclusion, and acceptance. For example, the resident ambassador program is the equivalent of the Modena welcoming committee. Each new resident is paired with one of the go-to people that make new residents feel welcome and easily transition into senior living. This fosters deep community amongst residents in Modena.