Weekly News & Updates
Caring for Older Adults Since 1907
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By Jo Strausz Rosen
“Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.” —John Henry Jowet
Some might think that current pandemic conditions don’t provide us with many occasions to be thankful. Some of us live day to day with a constant fight or flight frame of mind. No question it’s hard to maintain a positive approach these days.
Can we change our attitude with gratitude?
Gratitude is something we can use to cope during these difficult circumstances. When we appreciate everyday things, we make them visible again. We can boost our spirit and remind our brains to see the good. This will help us cope and teach our children and grandchildren to be positive and recognize positive things in life.
Take a deep cleansing breathe. How many times a day do you tell yourself this? Light candles, burn a fire, create rituals of joy. Wake up with appreciation for whatever gives you comfort. Think about living with gratitude for your life, your family, your friends, your colleagues, your work, the beauty of sunrise and sunset. We are always told, it’s the little things that matter – an afternoon walk with sunshine on your head, a down coat and mittens providing warmth, distractions like Facetime, Netflix, new recipes, a beautifully set table, a good deed for a neighbor, a loving hug from your spouse. Find gratitude on your paths.
What will be our takeaway when we finally are vaccinated and ready to congregate again? What are the things in our lives that are most important? What part does creativity play in gratitude? I’ve created a special place for meditation and artful exploration. It gives me joy whenever I’m there, no matter what I’ve seen or heard in the news. Know that THINGS don’t matter, people do. Who needs all this stuff? I am grateful for my loved ones and my friends and my health and for my work that allows me to support our most vulnerable in our community. Gratitude is not just attitude—we can make it a ritual.
It’s not easy to nurture gratitude during these difficult times, but if we consciously create a ritual of cultivating gratitude, we experience joy and meaning in the gifts we’ve been given. Embracing gratitude may be the best vaccine we have right now.
“In daily life, we have to know that it isn’t happiness that makes us grateful, it’s gratefulness that makes us happy.” Joshua Becker
The Gratitude Project reveals how the science of thankfulness can rewire our brains for resilience, optimism, and the greater good.
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THANKSGIVING FOOD HISTORY |
For most, Thanksgiving is pretty much synonymous with pumpkin pie and pilgrims. But with Thanksgiving 2020 just around the corner, maybe it’s time to learn a little more about the history of our favorite Thanksgiving foods. (You could even share some fun food facts with your Thanksgiving wishes this November.) |
SHOP JSL'S ONLINE BOUTIQUE |
Look stylish while staying warm this fall and winter with this olive puffer jacket! Shop this look and more at:
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We invite the entire Metropolitan Detroit community to celebrate Jewish Senior Life's “Lives Well Lived” this Sunday at 11:00 AM. This 15 minute virtual event will take place online featuring conversations and best advice from exceptional JSL residents.
Your generous sponsorships and contributions will help Friends of Jewish Senior Life provide essential technology and activities for our residents. Click the link below to donate and to learn more.
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BAGELS, SCHMEAR, AND VOLUNTEERS |
We have held several weekly Zoom meetings for volunteers and it has been so great to see you! Are you a JSL volunteer who wants to reconnect? Please join us Mondays at 11:00 AM where we will discuss the latest JSL news, crockpot recipes, creative home exercise, and Netflix suggestions. If you have some topics or ideas for the group to discuss, send them to us. Until we can invite you back to do what you do best at JSL, let’s spend some time together and heal our loneliness. See you on Zoom or call in so we can hear your voice!
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New Meeting Info!
Meeting ID: 949 2936 8991
Passcode: 257970
Meeting ID: 949 2936 8991
Passcode: 257970
Looking forward to reconnecting!
In friendship,
Leslie Katz
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Please submit your nominations by December 3rd for our 2021 Eight Over Eighty celebration. Honor an outstanding member of the community who is 80 or older by filling out and submitting your nomination today. And remember, the more detail you provide, the better their chances of being chosen! For requirements and to submit your nominations, visit the link below.
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Apple and Fennel Challah Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 1 large loaf challah (cut into 3/4-inch cubes, about 10 cups)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 2 medium bulbs fennel (thinly sliced)
- 2 large stalks celery (sliced)
- 2 medium apples (chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage (finely chopped)
- 1 lemon (zested)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- Optional: sea or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Oil a 9 x 13 2-inch baking dish or a similarly-sized (3 to 4-quart) casserole dish.
- Line 2 large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the challah cubes between the baking sheets.
- Drizzle the bread with a little olive oil, toss with clean hands, and spread evenly into a single layer. Bake, turning once or twice while cooking, until dry and toasted, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool, but leave the oven on.
- In a large skillet or pan set over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the onion, garlic, fennel, and celery, and saute until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add apple and continue to saute until warmed through, about 5 minutes more. Stir in the sage and lemon zest and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
- Place the toasted challah cubes in a large bowl. Add the sauteed vegetables and toss to coat.
- Pour the vegetable broth evenly over the mixture and stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Pour the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
- Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove the foil and bake for 10 to 20 minutes more, or until the top is golden, and the stuffing reaches your preferred consistency. Serve and enjoy!
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Follow JSL on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the most up to date and inspiring JSL content. Leave a like while you're there too! |
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Now Accepting Applications for
Hechtman 1 Apartments
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Hechtman 1 Apartments is now accepting applications for income based affordable housing. Units are currently available for those who are 62 years and older.
- 5 Nutritious Kosher dinners weekly delivered to your door
- Enhanced safety measures including testing, screening, and cleaning in accordance with CDC Guidelines
- Medical Alert System with 24/7 monitoring, included
- Resident Service Coordinators, Wellness Coordinator and Program Coordinator
- Jcare personal in-home support services available, for additional fee
- Supportive Home Health Care available (Medicare certified provider)
- Creative Distanced and In-home Programming: Exercise, Bingo, Activity Kits, Musical entertainment
- A pet-friendly community (some limitations apply)
Call 248-661-5220
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, JSL Community Chaplain
A Thought on Veterans Day
There was once a war hero who earned a row of medals for bravery and courage under fire. Sadly, in his senior years he was forced to sell his medals in order to survive.
A young man walked into the pawn shop and found these war medals for sale. He bought them and pinned them to his chest. He walked down the street proud as a peacock to all who would see him. But what meaning do the medals carry? Of course, this man is no hero; in fact, he is deceiving himself and others.
One must be worthy of wearing a badge of honor for dedicated service. It is not enough to purchase the valuable medals, and one needs to demonstrate that he or she earned it.
We just celebrated Veterans Day. In one way or another, many of our seniors have served our country through sweat and toil. You are the true owners of these medals. They are yours to carry with great pride.
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Be inspired. Call Shabbat Shalom by Phone
Dial Toll free: 605-313-4107
Access code: 270368# (Reference number not needed)
Dial # to hear the most recent recorded message
Rabbi Dovid S. Polter Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program
Jewish Senior Life
248-592-5039 • dpolter@jslmi.org
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This newsletter was created by Jo Rosen and Amanda Martlock
We’re human, prone to mistakes, so if we erred in our newsletter, please forgive us!
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L’Chaim!
We are so grateful for your contributions.
Please continue your engAGEment with JSL.
Your support greatly impacts our residents and their lives well lived.
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Nancy Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer
Jennie Klepinger, Chief Financial Officer
Barbra Giles, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives
Dianne Azzopardi, Executive Director, Human Resources
Ron Colasanti, Executive Director, Dining Services
Gregg Leshman, Executive Director, Residential Operations
Jo Strausz Rosen, Executive Director, Development
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People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome. |
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