Bringing Papa Jack’s words of wisdom to a fresh audience
V RESIDENTS OF the Nightingale House care home in Clapham have been encouraged to share their words of wisdom through a creative arts project inspired by the life of a former resident, Jack Stern.
Born in 1914 in London’s East End, Mr Stern, or Papa Jack as he was known to his family, helped his father Sam run Stern’s Hotel and kosher restaurant in Aldgate, a popular establishment in the inter-war period. He sold the hotel to enable him to spend more time with his family, later working for a catering business and in a furniture store.
Down the years, he compiled notebooks of life lessons and advice, which have been passed on to his grandchildren.
During his time at Nightingale before his death, aged 89, he continued to fill notebooks and was learning how to use a computer.
Among his words of wisdom were “say more often well done, I missed you [or] glad to see you”.
Granddaughter Samantha Schneider recalled: “The time I spent with him in my childhood helped shape me into the person I am today. He encouraged my creativity and curiosity and his books will always remain a source of inspiration.
“Papa Jack was always calling radio stations and writing articles to papers with his thoughts and ideas — for example, why aren’t all roundabouts named? So he
Jack Stern and some of his musings and Samantha Schneider with a poster based on one of his sayings was always sharing. I think writing the notebooks just came very naturally to him because of having to be so organised in the hotel — and because he was a very visual and creative person.”
Mr Stern’s writings have been the basis of a 12-week programme of creative and reminiscence workshops at the South London home where residents have been asked: “What are the most important pieces of advice you would share with the younger generation?”
The project has also involved arts and crafts and children from the Apples and Honey Nursery on the Nightingale site took part in a session on residents’ favourite songs, reflecting Mr Stern’s belief that “life is nothing without music”.
His granddaughter hopes to secure funding to replicate the project in other care homes.
“And I’d love to do a display of his stuff in a more public venue,” Ms Schneider added.