Shabbat Shalom & Shana Tova!

Weekly News & Updates

Caring for Older Adults Since 1907

XENOPHOBIA

By Jo Strausz Rosen

Thank you, Margaret Littman, for your important essay for Kveller.com: “Musings on Xenophobia at Yom Kippur.” “It is not enough to just avoid and repent for alphabetized sins -we must actively call them out when we see them.”

We are faced with opposing opinions, and abuses, we read this passage every year, “the sins of arrogance, bigotry and cynicism, of deceit and egotism, flattery and greed, hatred, injustice and jealousy…” We must speak up when we see iniquities. We cannot remain complacent or silent. In memory of Ruth Bader Ginsberg zl’, we must take a stand and make a difference for those who need us. Please read Ms. Littman’s important words by clicking the link below.

BETTER THAN HALLMARK!

By Melissa Morton

Phyllis Lewkowicz, our resident at Hechtman Apartments, is a very imaginative person. Phyllis is on our Resident Council and last year came up with an excellent idea to raise funds for our council. Her idea was to craft homemade cards. Phyllis began making the cards in May of 2019. As of today, she has created over 500 cards. At times it can take her over an hour on one card just finding the right pictures and words to make it special. Phyllis said she enjoys crafting the cards and takes a lot of pride in creating each one of them. Each card has a personal touch and meaning to convey to its recipient. She creates them in her apartment using her own computer and printer. You can really see the heart that goes into each card and residents are so happy when they receive Phyllis’s handcrafted cards.

She recently created over 35 cards for the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays. Phyllis also is so kind to include staff and we are fortunate that she thinks of us as well. Each card has the personal message the resident ordering them has requested. She said she can do any kind, “You name it, I can do it!” Even Hallmark would give her the gold crown of approval! During this time, it is so important to communicate with each other. It has been very special for our residents to be able to contact Phyllis and send their words to their families and friends.

For many years Phyllis enjoyed a life of sewing her and her children's clothes, knitting and crocheting along with painting, drawing and pottery. Phyllis said since her eyesight has become much worse she is no longer able to do those things. She said the cards and her cooking have taken their place. The staff has first hand experience of her wonderful cooking! We thank Phyllis for her thoughtfulness, commitment and dedication.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED

High School students Harry Ferber and Joshua Balan helped West Bloomfield campus residents celebrate the holidays last Friday by blowing their shofars for everyone to hear.

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

HOW TO CAST AWAY SINS AT HOME

By Lior Zaltzman

Going outside during a pandemic can be stressful — even if it is generally deemed safer than congregating at home or in places of worship. And while many are still choosing to observe the Jewish high holiday ritual of tashlich, the symbolic casting away of sins in bodies of water ahead of Yom Kippur, outdoors, it turns out you can also totally do it from the comfort of your own home!

Even if you have done tashlich this year, this at-home activity is a great chance to bond with you kids and teach them important values. Namely, it helps to teach our kids resilience and the importance of owning up — and letting go of — our mistakes.

This activity, which the wonderful Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder (A.K.A. Rabbi Ruth) demonstrates below, is deceptively simple — but the most important part of it is participation. Your participation, not that of your kids.

ACCESSING PUBLIC LIBRARIES FROM HOME

Our public libraries offer more than just print books. Digital resources allow users to read Ebooks, listen to Audiobooks, watch movies, listen to music and read magazines from our home computers, tablets and iPads.

Sue Kalisky will present 3 1-hour zoom sessions to teach you how to access these resources.

Upcoming Sessions

1. Thursday, October 1, 2020 • 13 Tishrei 5781

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

zoom meeting ID: 748 731 3069

2. Friday, October 16, 2020 • 28 Tishrei 5781

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

zoom meeting ID: 748 731 3069

3. Sunday, October 25, 2020 • 7 Cheshvan 5781

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

zoom meeting ID 748 731 3069

To register, visit bnaimoshe.org or click the link below.

HOW TO SAFELY ENJOY FALL ACTIVITIES

By Natalie B. Compton

If the year’s first yellowing leaves and sudden chilly days have you craving a pumpkin spice latte and apple cider doughnuts, you’re probably ready to map out your fall fun calendar. Fortunately, many of your favorite autumnal activities are finding ways to continue during the pandemic.

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.

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

Oversee Outdoor Visits

Help oversee outdoor social distanced visitations for residents with family and friends. Volunteers will be trained to guide these visits safely.

Visitation hours and days are:

Fleischman 11-3 M-F

Meer 10:30-3:45 M-F

Hechtman 10-3 M-F

Prentis 10-Noon and 1-3 M-F

Teitel 10-Noon and 1-3 M-F

For questions and additional information please contact Leslie Katz at 248-592-5062 or lkatz@jslmi.org

Shoppers Needed In Oak Park

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.

Help support JSL by purchasing this adorable Purple Ostrich Floral Tote! Shop this and other great deals on:

jslfriendshop.com

START SHOPPING

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Caramelized Onion, Apple and Goat Cheese Blintzes

Ingredients

For batter:

1 cup all-purpose whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 eggs room temperature
1 cup milk dairy free works great
1 tablespoon Tnuva Unsalted Butter melted and cooled, plus more for cooking, plus more for making and frying blintzes

For filling:

2 white onions sliced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon Tnuva Unsalted Butter
1 1/2 cups peeled small diced Granny Smith Apples
Cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon honey
1 7.05 oz package Tnuva Goat Cheese
Walnuts honey and pomegranate arils for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Let's start with the blintz batter. Combine flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and 1 tablespoon melted and cooled butter. Mix the dry into the wet until no lumps remain. Let batter rest in refrigerator at least 1 hour to let gluten relax.
While batter is chilling, make filling. Heat a wide, thick-bottomed saute pan over medium-high heat and add oil to heat. Add onions with a little salt (about ¼ tsp). As soon as onions start to brown, reduce to medium-low. Keep cooking for up to 40 minutes or an hour until the onions are very caramelized, stirring often. If they start to burn a little, add a little water.
Once the onions are nearly ready, add 1 tablespoon butter and apples and saute for 10 minutes until apples are soft but not mushy. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Add in fresh thyme and honey and stir to combine.
To make blintzes, butter a 9-inch nonstick pan with a thin coat of butter over medium high heat. Then pour ¼ cup of batter into pan to coat bottom. Swirl pan to coat evenly. After about a minute you will see the ends begin to curl up- your blintz is done! No need to flip. Slide blintzes onto parchment paper to allow to cool. Do not layer blintzes together when they are hot or they will stick. If you find your batter is a little thick to swirl, add a touch more milk.
Spread heaping tablespoon of onion apple mixture towards bottom of each blintz and top with a dollop (about 2 teaspoons) of goat cheese. Fold bottom of blintz up to cover filling and then fold the sides in. Roll like a burrito. Add 1-tablespoon butter back to medium nonstick pan over medium high heat and cook on each side until golden brown- or about 1-2 minutes per side.
Top blintzes with extra filling, walnuts, pomegranate arils and a drizzle of honey. Eat!
You can make the pancakes and filling ahead of time up to two days before serving.