Thanks. Heartfelt exploration of difficult topic.

Brilliant! Bravo! That was deep and intense and meaningful on so many levels! <3

Thank you so much. Very touchy and important discussion to have!

This has been amazing and so important. Thank you.

I feel like I just experienced a preview of many conversations I will have with loved ones one day, and now I have many of the answers and/or guiding thoughts. The value of that is enormous and I'm extremely grateful.

I applaud all who were part of this important presentation. It is so important to understand that death is part of life.

Thank you for this incredible opportunity to look at the finish line in a new way. Looking forward to continued exploration.

Thank you all. The character roles and acting was beautiful.

Brilliant presentation!!-as an ER doctor and also someone who lost a mother to Alzheimer's I love how the importance of saying goodbye is highlighted and OK and can be the ultimate act of love.

Kudos. This performance, visual for me this time, was ever more clear (on points I wasn’t sure I understood last time) and greatly impactful. Thank you again Devorah, Niki, and you other great actors, and real-life helpers Barbara and Rabbi Bonnie.

Thank you for this thought provoking sensitive conversation.

I am deeply moved by this performance and presentation of the topics. THANK YOU. After hearing Kiki’s and Barbara’s thoughts in this play I am more convinced than ever that I made the right decision for my dad. Again, thank you, thank you.

Excellent , thank you. Hit so close to home as I am in my ninth year of care of my mother with severe dementia. This experience has made me convinced I will not put anyone through what I go through doing this. I am glad to have some resources to turn to. Thank you thank you!!

Powerful performance. So glad we watched.

Thank you all for a wonderful experience. It was so real and accurate.

Several times I reminded myself that I was watching a play. I felt like I was eavesdropping on a family’s conversation that was real and heartfelt and beautifully done. Thank you so much for all your work!

Loved it. Greatly innovative as well … at home, on zoom interactive theatre.

Fantastic performance and the discussion that followed of an important and sensitive issue Thanks to everyone

This was so meaningful. Thank you all!

Honored to have been present for this extraordinary presentation!

Thank you for this performance and making it available to Temple Chai congregants. This is a very thought-provoking and timely subject and it was performed excellently. Thank you again.

Congratulations to all involved. I am receiving texts from my BJE Wise Aging group members who are saying, "WOW, this play was powerful. Thanks for sharing." I, personally, have seen the play twice and it changed the way I interact with my 90 yr. old Mom and brothers. Thank You!!

The play was really intense and meaningful, and the acting was beautiful and believable. I was lucky that my parents had as good a death as possible.  Hopefully, we all will as well.

The play on Sunday was very powerful. Brought up some painful things for me, but the issues you helped us all to consider are so important to consider!

WOW! Thank you so much for inviting me to today’s experience!  What an amazing group of women you all are. Wooden Nickels and the subsequent discussion was a profound experience, gave me so much to consider, and to add to my skill set. It also validated how well my mother and I managed her last decade together. 

What a meaningful, moving and well executed production today, Sharona.  You have done a great mitzvah with your role in this project.   It will take me some time to absorb it all, on different levels. The writing and acting were simply top notch.  And the man who spoke at the end (I forget his name) who said that he did not feel like he was watching a play....I completely agree.  The acting was that good. I feel that my words are not adequate enough to express my gratitude to ALL who were involved in this incredible production! Thank you so much for the role you played and for graciously inviting me to view the play. That was great the actors were wonderful. I felt like I was eavesdropping on a real conversation.

Devorah, Sharona, and Rabbi Koppel: I want to express my appreciation, gratitude, and awe for your presentation of Wooden Nickels last Sunday. I am really, really impressed with how effectively you were able to weave together and present the message, emotions, and family dynamics that get stirred up and thrown around as we confront (or run away from) issues such as dementia, end of life, etc. I loved how each of the Kiki and her three daughters’ characters were presented and developed and also how Barbara Coombs Lee “popped in” and delivered so much information in a clear, understandable, and highly professional manner. Wooden Nickels is timely and will be very supportive of so many people – I hope you can continue taking it out to the larger community.

Is there a recording of the play for rent or loan for a local Maryland synagogue? I discussed my experience in one of my Wise Aging groups. There is definitely interest in sponsoring a program for a broad audience.  It was an amazing program, and I am so grateful that you invited me. 

It is such an important subject and there is a tremendous need to open the eyes and minds of all.

I cannot begin to tell you how fabulous today’s presentation of “Wooden Nickels” was! As an ER doctor and someone who lost his beloved mother to Alzheimer’s I cannot stop applauding the work you are doing. […] I absolutely love what you are doing-doing God’s work and honoring your beloved late sister-may she RIP.

Thank you all for doing this. It’s so important. Please get it out to other caregivers. I wish I’d seen it when my mother was just beginning her decline. Way to go ladies!!

I applaud the creativity and innovation of this production.

Thank you for this elegant and prescient evening.

I really love the open-endedness of the lens this play provides in end of life care on one hand, and the framework of freedom in deciding the parameters by the one in question, the mom in this case. Awesome reading on the part of all actors— kudos. AND especially awesome contribution of the therapist and your work!

I love Kiki’s answer to the question; “Mom, how will you know?” Her reply; “If I don’t have an answer, then it’s too late.” Really touched me.

This was just incredible, thank you to each of you beautiful women! I just went through an identical situation with my father who died from dementia. I also have two sisters and I was impressed with how you each illustrated how the roles between siblings and also birth order play a huge part in the conversations that happen with a parent who is facing these issues.

It is important to have these conversations even for younger folks, in these times of COVID, when health can change very quickly.

BRILLIANTLY PERFORMED, BEAUTIFUL WRITTEN! IT WAS SO INCLUSIVE, SO BROADLY APPLICABLE, SO WORTHY.

Just want to say Thank You!! This presentation is fabulous and I hope this can go out into the world. The play, the actors, and Barbara with all her wisdom and assistance. And the producers. Blessings to you all! Cat

The acting was superbe

Great job! And a good conversation starter.

What a fantastic and hallmark of an evening! Thank you and please continue this dialogue!

BRAVO! Great Job ACTORS!! We need more like this!!

Thank You All! Grazie Niki!

Well done indeed!

Beautiful work!!!

Clapping!

TRULY SO GOOD. I’M VERY GRATEFUL.

Bravo! to our actors and BCL

Well done! Congratulations!

This has been such a gift, thank you so much. Such beautiful women and an incredible experience to be part of Devorah’s creation. Please continue this work and thank you for including all of us! THANK YOU!!!!!

Bravo - thank you

Awesome thank you all participants!!!!

BRAVO! Thank you one and all. So much!

Thank you for an inspiring, innovative and provocative evening of theater. Actors, Playwright, Barbara, PathwayArts Center for hosting this evening Love to all. Let’s do it again.

“This is a great way to see every characters perspective and the emotions involved.”

“The play was an excellent representation.”

“Forced me to look at my own feelings in experiencing care giving in dementia.”

“Helps to decrease negative feelings when trying to understand when the family says, “I can’t”.

Is the theatrical experience an effective way for you to learn the information presented?

“Absolutely, it combines humor, passion and experiences with real life. Very effective.”

“I could identify with the emotions much more often than a dry, boring, lecture.”

“Makes a bigger impression. I’ll remember this better.”

“Brings to life what people are afraid to deal with.”

“Advantageous to caregivers – normalization of inner feelings is so important.”

“Good for ice-breaking and giving people courage to talk about tough or sensitive subjects”

“Allows people to participate as their ability allows.”

“Productive to hear that your thoughts are often shared thoughts.”

“Extremely talented/depth of knowledge and facilitation.”

“Great at including everyone and talking through various discussion points.”

“Energetic, fun, wise, safe.”

“Commentary was extremely intelligent, insightful and helpful.”