Village Shalom celebrated an enduring legacy on June 30 as residents, family members, donors, board members and staff gathered to dedicate Weissman Place, the newly-named skilled nursing memory care neighborhood honoring former Shalom Geriatric Executive Director Melvyn “Mel” Weissman.
The organization also recently named the Dreiseszun Neighborhood in honor of longtime supporters Sherman and Irene Dreiseszun. Together, these recognitions celebrate the vision, leadership, and generosity of individuals whose contributions helped shape Village Shalom into the community it is today.
Mel Weissman was honored for his leadership that transformed senior care in Kansas City and established a legacy that continues to influence Village Shalom’s person-centered approach to memory care.
Several of Weissman’s family members participated in the dedication, including his stepdaughter Marty Devins-Horvath and Kevin Horvath; stepson Dr. Sidney and Sally Devins; grandchildren David Chaplick, Dr. Skylar Devins and Deko Devins; and other family members Janis and Jeff Steimer.
Village Shalom President Simon Abrahms reflected on Weissman’s journey during the ceremony. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Weissman came to Kansas City after serving in the U.S. Army’s counter-intelligence corps. Although his academic background was in business and sociology, his true calling emerged when he joined the Jewish Home for the Aged in 1963 as assistant director before becoming executive director in 1968. (The Jewish Home for the Aged became Shalom Geriatric before becoming Village Shalom.)
Abrahms shared a quote from a 1986 interview in which Weissman described the moment he realized senior care would become his life’s work: “From the first interview, I was touched by the residents. I knew that this was not just going to be a vocation but an avocation. There’s such a feeling of warmth and caring from them.”
Over the next three decades, Weissman guided the organization through significant growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Village Shalom expanded its campus, strengthened its commitment to person-centered care and became a recognized leader in senior living. According to Abrahms, the memory care program Weissman established was the first of its kind in the Kansas City region, making the naming of Weissman Place a fitting tribute.
Following the dedication remarks, Marty Devin-Horvath shared heartfelt reflections about her stepfather, offering attendees a personal glimpse into the compassion and humility that defined both his personal life and professional career. Surrounded by family members, she then joined Village Shalom leadership for the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially dedicating Weissman Place.
As Abrahms noted during the dedication, “By naming this neighborhood Weissman Place, we are ensuring that Mel’s spirit remains an active part of our daily mission.”
The celebration also included the unveiling of the new Sensory Room within Weissman Place. Guests toured the thoughtfully designed therapeutic space, experiencing firsthand how its specialized equipment and calming environment will support residents living with dementia by providing a dedicated space that helps reduce anxiety. The Sensory Room was made possible through the J-LEAD giving circle of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, whose support continues Village Shalom’s commitment to innovative memory care programming.
In addition to the Weissman dedication, Village Shalom recognized the naming of the Dreiseszun neighborhood in honor of Sherman and Irene Dreiseszun, whose generosity and commitment helped lay the foundation for the Village Shalom community.
Original supporters of Village Shalom, the Dreiseszuns believed deeply in providing compassionate care for older adults and invested in a vision that continues to enrich lives today. Sherman Dreiseszun was widely respected throughout Kansas City for his civic leadership and philanthropy, while Irene Dreiseszun’s quiet strength reflected the values that defined their lives together. Following her husband’s passing, Irene Dreiseszun became a cherished resident of Village Shalom, experiencing firsthand the community she and her husband helped build.
By renaming the traditional, long-term care skilled nursing neighborhood for the Dreiseszuns, this recognition serves as a lasting tribute to their enduring legacy of generosity, leadership and compassion. This also ensures their contributions will continue to be remembered by residents, families, staff and visitors for generations to come.