Weekly News & Updates
Caring for Older Adults Since 1907
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LOVE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 |
Is love best when new? For many, the answer is “Oh yes, yes, yes!!” The all-consuming deliciousness that characterizes new love is impossible to replicate. While love is indeed best served fresh, if we carefully and gently tend to it, it can become even more exquisite and nourishing as seasons go by.
Like many partners who are fortunate to weather the supreme ordeal of COVID-19 together, profound love, an emotion that often ripens with time, can nourish gratitude, stability, calmness, and joy. Having a dependable partner comforts and aids us in coping with the day-to-day challenges.
Thekra and Amer Romaya both work at JSL. Amer works in dining services and many of you have seen him at Marvin’s Bistro wearing his usual smile as he serves up special sandwiches for anyone who asks. Thekra is our HR Coordinator and was delighted to share some details of their almost 33-year-old romance. Now empty nesters, COVID-19 certainly insures they are always together and Thekra says, she feels closer than ever to Amer during this pandemic. “Amer is always the first one to say, “I love you, thank you for everything you do for me.” Her advice is to never go to bed mad, and they rarely disagree -- when they do it is usually about what to make for dinner. He cooks for her and she is grateful that he is such a sweet and kind man. They adore their 2 children and 3 (soon to be 4) grandchildren.
As painful as it can be sometimes, accepting and acknowledging one’s own failings and less than delightful quirks with a sense of humor is necessary, in addition to compromise and commitment and not taking things so personally. Intimacy, passion, and unpredictability lead to closeness and growth together over the long run. If partners and families and even roommates make it through a pandemic and can still stand to be in the same room, their relationships probably will emerge even stronger. And even after a spouse or lover passes away, profound love continues to live on in our hearts and warms us with each sweet memory we recall.
Wishing all of you the opportunity to give and receive love in a variety of ways. Make love -- whatever form it may take -- a priority in your life.
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The Romayas with 2 of their grandchildren |
KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED |
Thanks to Hechtman staff, all Hechtman residents were able to celebrate the month of February with fun gift bags filled with love and chocolate!
Find more fun photos and exciting activities in our community by visiting our "Keeping Our Community Connected" page on our website or clicking the link below.
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BAGELS, SCHMEAR, AND VOLUNTEERS |
Are you a JSL volunteer or community member who wants to connect? Please join Leslie Katz on Mondays at 11:00 AM where she will lead a discussion on the latest JSL news, recipes, creative home exercise, and Netflix suggestions!
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Meeting ID: 949 2936 8991
Passcode: 257970
Meeting ID: 949 2936 8991
Passcode: 257970
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A lawyer accidentally used a cat-themed video filter during a virtual court session in the 394th district of Texas, making for a hilarious internet moment. |
These strength and endurance exercises are great for beginners and seniors! Stretch beforehand and then dive into this 7 minute workout. |
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BEHIND THE MASK: Meet our Devoted JSL Family |
Mary Blowers works for JSL as Activities Coordinator at Fleischman Residence and will be celebrating her 14th anniversary this summer. She possesses an indomitable spirit and wicked sense of humor and is always inspired by our residents, “Old people are COOL! I love using my energy and imagination to serve them and to engage them.” She laughs when she listens to the residents tell their stories who often share mischief they recall.
Mary is a nature lover, even rides her bike in good weather from her Farmington Hills home which she says is “Good for me and good for the environment!” She hopes to see far away family this summer and dreams about travel after the pandemic and hopes to take a National Parks tour one day. When not working, Mary describes her family life as GREAT, married with 5 children in Michigan, Colorado, and Alaska, 5 children-in-law, 6 grandbabies, soon to be 7. Her grandkids are her joy. She enjoys taking walks outside, playing piano, listening to music, painting, and cooking. Some favorite recipes are lentil soup, beer bread and she adores peanut butter cookies. You can find Mary reading, a favorite book of hers is Jane Eyre; or watching movies like BBC’s Pride and Prejudice (with Colin Firth) and Manchester By the Sea.
Happy to share her coping skills, Mary has learned from our most vulnerable adults who say, “It could be worse.” We really do have all we need and now there is a light at the end of the tunnel. By working together, we can get through all that we need to get through!!!” JSL appreciates you Mary!
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May 21 - Older Americans Brunch
Register, donate, and learn more about this virtual event by visiting jslmi.org/oab
May 23 - Eight Over Eighty
June - JSL's Annual Meeting
September - Meer Apartments Celebrates 20 Years!
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SHOP JSL'S ONLINE BOUTIQUE |
Oh the weather outside is frightful...so stay warm inside while baking new yummy recipes by purchasing our cookbooks! Find these and many other wonderful items at:
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Pumpkin Crunch Cheesecake
Crumbs
Filling
- 8 ounces non-dairy cream cheese
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Gefen Cinnamon
- 1 egg
Topping
- 2/3 cup pecans
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons margarine, melted
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Crumble the graham cracker crust and add to the bottom of 12 ramekins or mini mason jars.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine all filling ingredients. Add to jars and bake for 20 minutes. I recommend adding the filling using a piping bag so the finished desserts look neater and there’s no filling dripped on the sides.
- Add all topping ingredients to a Ziploc bag. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a pot, bang the filling to crush the nuts. Mix the ingredients together by smushing them around in the bag. Add to the top of each ramekin. Bake another 20 minutes.
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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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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, JSL Community Chaplain
The Soulful Melody
One sunny afternoon some ten years ago, I walked down the large corridor of St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor to visit a senior resident. I was hoping to find some inspiration before entering her room but did not know from where it would come.
To my delightful surprise, inspiration enveloped me at her bedside. Silence that reigned in the dimly lit room for this weary patient, unfolded as I heard a soft and beautiful lullaby play on the loudspeaker. From where, why and how, I wondered. Before I had a chance to inquire, the attending nurse shared with me a most comforting hospital tradition.
The moment a baby is born, the sounds of healing spreads its wings throughout the hospital. Everyone present gets to hear, know, and rejoice with the soft cry of a new and precious soul. This infant will be softly rocked into the world with the sounds of peaceful music that bring comfort and love to all who listen.
Spreading happy tidings makes our world a better and safer place.
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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 financial contributions.
Please continue your engAGEment with JSL.
Your support enhances the lives of our residents.
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Nancy Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer
Jennie Klepinger, Chief Financial Officer
Barbra Giles, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives
Jo Strausz Rosen, Executive Director, Development
Dianne Azzopardi, Executive Director, Human Resources
Ron Colasanti, Executive Director, Dining Services
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People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome. |
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