Shabbat Shalom & Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Weekly News & Updates

Caring for Older Adults Since 1907

SELF IMPROVEMENT

By Jo Strausz Rosen

In Jewish tradition, the month of Elul is a time of repentance, in preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This time of year, we are urged to search our hearts to feel closer to God. We listen to the sounds of the shofar to inspire our souls and awaken our spirits. We look to those we may have hurt and ask for their forgiveness. We remember those whom we have lost and visit the graves of our loved ones, honoring their memories. We eat apples dipped in honey to remind us of the sweetness that we are meant to enjoy. We wish each other “Shana Tova” and “Shana Tova umtukah” - a Happy and Sweet New Year.

How appropriate that September is Self-Improvement Month. During this time, we focus on mind, body and spirit. The Pandemic has gifted us with opportunities for deep thought in the quiet solitude of our homes. And in our quest to take control of our surroundings and stay active, we purge our drawers and closets, basements and garages to renew our spaces, striving to beautify and make changes in our homes and in our hearts. My husband runs to our shady yard after work most days to turn the soil with his hands creating glorious and magical gardens. Tuesday, our grandchildren rearranged their bedrooms and were so excited to reveal their pride during a facetime call. Earlier in May, I turned a corner of our yard into an art sanctuary where I happily spend weeknights and weekends engaged in the therapeutic creation of large-scale paintings, my mantra, “More art, more awe.”

What are you doing with this time you are given? Reality is so (fill in the blank)!! Use these moments to write yourself a new script. Remember your mother’s reminders, “Find something productive to do.” Self-improvement can take place at any age.

Tradition teaches that on Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed. This year, more than ever, I extend my deepest wishes to you, our community and all around the world, to find the best in ourselves and in each other. Pursue justice and joy. Do something worthwhile that helps people. Pray for the world to get better. “G’mar Chatima Tova” “May you be inscribed for good in the Book of Life”.

WOMEN AGES 72 TO 100 JUST CELEBRATED THEIR BAT MITZVAHS

By Maddy Albert

The pandemic has brought just so many changes, to so many aspects of our lives — including the Jewish rite of passage of a bar or bat mitzvah. While many today’s 12- and 13-year-olds may be disappointed with the shift to virtual or delayed ceremonies, 12 women at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Jack Satter House in Revere, Mass., approached the pandemic with a completely different mindset.

Inspired by the quote by Rabbi Hillel from Pirkei Avot, “If not now, when?,” these women, who range in age from 72 to 100, decided that now was the time to continue their Jewish education — and, in August, they celebrated their bat mitzvahs in a socially distanced service.

Growing up in a variety of circumstances, these 12 women did not have the opportunity to become an adult in the eyes of their faith, as bat mitzvah ceremonies for girls did not become popular until the last 50 years or so.

But last August, Satter House resident Shirley Sowsy approached Jewish chaplain Rabbi Lior Nevo. “Almost everything I set out to do, I managed to achieve,” Sowsy told Nevo. “The one thing I haven’t managed to achieve is to have a bat mitzvah. Can you make it happen?”

WORLD'S OLDEST MARRIED COUPLE

By Sophie Lewis

It started as a secret — when Julio Cesar Mora Tapia was 31 years old, he quietly married 25-year-old Waldramina Maclovia Quinteros Reyes, despite the disapproval of both of their families. Now, 79 years later, they have officially become the world's oldest married couple.

Now 110 and 104 years old, respectively, Tapia and Quinteros are both in good health. With a combined 214 years and 358 days, Guinness World Records awarded them the certification of the oldest married couple in the world in August.

Tapia was born on March 10, 1910, and Quinteros was born on October 16, 1915. They met on vacation, because her sister was married to his cousin, and were friends first before entering into a relationship and getting married seven years later.

NEW ISRAELI & JEWISH

STREAMING SERVICES

By Lior Zaltzman

So much of my job here at Kveller includes curating and telling you about excellent Jewish movies and TV — and there’s just so much of it these days!

In addition to a plethora of Jewish (and Jew-ish) content on all the major streaming services, I’m happy to report that there are two new services where all the programming is Jewish and Israeli: ChaifFlicks and Izzy. But are these services worth it? And do they have a lot to offer beyond what’s already available out there?

First of all, if you’re thirsty for Jewish content, both these services offer excellent curation of just that. (No more scrolling through Netflix for hours!) They both have excellent arthouse Jewish movies, short films, and documentaries. As for television content — it’s not as ample at the moment, though both services are working on it.

SWEET VS WHITE POTATO

By Jessica Migala

Potatoes are one of the more maligned foods, but spud lovers among us can rejoice: Both white and sweet potatoes — when prepared properly — can be healthy for you. “In general potatoes are packed with fiber and white potatoes have more potassium than a banana,” says Courtney Darsa, RD, who’s based in New York City. “Just like any food, potatoes can have a healthy place in your diet,” she says.

What really sets white and sweet potatoes apart is their beta carotene content, which is the antioxidant pigment that colors sweet potatoes a beautiful orange, says Darsa. Beta carotene is indeed healthful. People whose diet included the highest level of beta carotene had a 17 percent lower risk of premature death from all causes compared to a group who ate the least amount, according to a May 2016 study published in the journal Scientific Reports.

However, essentially, says Darsa, some people consider sweet potatoes a “whole grain” and view eating a white potato akin to having, well, potato chips or french fries. A baked, boiled, or roasted white potato is not the same as refined, heavily processed foods. Any type of potato is a nutrient-rich whole food.

JSL HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICE OPTIONS

We invite our entire community to access these high holiday options we offer to our JSL residents. Listen to special recorded services by our own Chaplaincy Director, Rabbi Polter. Keep reading for information on when and how to attend.

Elul-High Holiday Preparation Beginning Friday, August 21st you can call the toll free number listed below to hear a High Holiday greeting daily and the blowing of the shofar.

Rosh Hashanah

Saturday, September 19th -dial in for a 30 minute service

Sunday, September 20th -dial in for a 30 minute service

Kol Nidre Yom Kippur

Sunday, September 27th -dial in for a 30 minute service

Yom Kippur

Monday, September 28th -dial in for a 30 minute service

For High Holiday inspiration please call our High Holiday and Shabbat Line

Toll free: 605-313-4107

Access code: 270368#

(Reference number not needed)

Dial # to hear the most recent recorded message

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED

Hechtman resident, Harriett Hessenthaler, enjoys taking walks around our beautiful West Bloomfield campus. On a recent walk, she captured photos of some lovely scenery and a crane!

Our donors are the best! Many of you answered the call when we asked for art kits for our memory care residents, and you delivered! Now these residents will be able to explore their creative side and experience the arts.

Read more stories like these by visiting "Keeping Our Community Connected: Stories From Residents, Staff and Volunteers" on our website.

Help support JSL while staying cute and comfortable with our selection of fashionable dresses, ALL AT DISCOUNTED PRICES! Shop this and other great deals on

jslfriendshop.com

START SHOPPING

High Holiday Art Project

Enhance the upcoming High Holidays for our residents and consider creating and sending greeting cards to mark the occasion with meaning – a delightful project for your entire family. Once completed, label it "Attn: Activities" and drop off (or mail to) Hechtman Apartments, 6690 W. Maple Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322.

Grocery Shop for our Residents

While out grocery shopping for yourself, please consider this mitzvah opportunity and assist our isolated residents in Oak Park by shopping for them. Volunteers will be given a resident’s shopping list and will be reimbursed for these purchases. Once completed, drop the bags off at the front desk and our onsite staff will deliver them to the resident. Contact Leslie Katz at 248-321-1437.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Lamb Burgers with Tahini Sauce and Arugula

By Annabel Cohen

I love these with tahini sauce. If you’d like, serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt as well.

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground lamb (10 percent fat content, if possible)
½ cup freshly chopped mint
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. granulated garlic
Kosher salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste
6-8 good-quality hamburger buns or soft pita pockets

Sauce:

3 Tbsp. tahini
3 Tbsp. hot water
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1⁄3 cup olive oil
Salt to taste

Garnish:

Fresh baby arugula

Directions

Combine all burger ingredients in a bowl and mash well with your hands.Chill the mixture until ready to use.
Divide ground lamb into 6-8 patties (make them wider than thick — they will shrink).
Heat grill to medium-high. Grill the burgers until they are easily turned with a spatula; too early and the burgers will break.
For the sauce, whisk together all the sauce ingredients.
Make a sandwich with the bun or pita, drizzled with tahini sauce and top with arugula.

From Gracefully Greying's newsletter.