Shabbat Shalom!

Weekly News & Updates

Caring for Older Adults Since 1907

GETTING GOOD AT GETTING OLDER

By Jo Strausz Rosen

Jewish Senior Life CEO Nancy Heinrich moderated a lively Zoom conversation this month with Rabbi Laura Geller who co-authored her latest book, Getting Good at Getting Older (GGGO). The presentation was held virtually by the JCC Detroit Jewish Book Fair.

Rabbi Geller’s husband, and co-writer, Richard Siegel, died from cancer just short of his 71^st birthday as their labor of love was ready to be published. As difficult as this was for them both, Rabbi Geller said she felt prepared because they had made plans. She had a list of his passwords, knew all the account numbers, and provided for their children all the necessary means to continue their life’s work. This book is a reminder, an expression of curiosity and a reimagination of aging, essential reading for all of us navigating the second half of life. Rabbi Geller is comforted that she can provide solid advice to empower and delight her readers with chapters that inspire us to Gain Wisdom; Get Along with Others; Get Ready; Give Back; and Give Things Away. Many more important instructions serve as meaningful messages to seize the day because this moment is all there is. I purchased a copy of Getting Good at Getting Older and you should too.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer is quoted on the cover, “Aging is an opportunity to rewire, not retire. GGGO offers wonderful advice about how to keep yourself and your relationships active and vibrant, and to embrace this part of life with a sense of adventure.”

LESSONS LEARNED FROM CHANUKAH

The final candle has been lit on the 2020 Menorah. The golden light shines an important and steadfast reminder that we stand up for ourselves and each other, speak out against the dark forces and light each other’s paths along the way. We can make our own joy and we can live through this Pandemic armored with simple things like books, paints, tv, nature and great new recipes.

What did you think of the celebration this year? What happened during Chanukah that you would like to remember? I was touched that my friend De-De bagged up 2 boxes of Chanukah candles and dropped them on our porch so that we could continue to light the lights all eight nights. Simple acts of kindness are appreciated and truly make a difference. The wax covered Menorahs stand ready to be cleaned and shined and put back in their special places until we celebrate again next year.

You can take comfort in lighting candles every Friday if you observe the celebration of Shabbos. Take heart and celebrate each day fully. Light a comforting fire in your fireplace and don’t waste time fretting over the prospect of a long dark Michigan winter. Instead, brighten your thoughts with ways you can pass the time to enrich your life and the lives of others.

Make calls, share recipes, sing songs, take precious time to clean out your drawers, your closets your collections only you appreciate and give away the things in which your children have no interest. Take some time to handwrite letters to your loved ones about the things that are most important to you. These letters will be cherished by those who follow.

JSL SPOTLIGHT

"Here at the Memory Care Pavilion, our goal is to "light up" the lives of the residents all year round, but especially on Chanukah! (Even if that means embarrassing yourself by putting on a hideous dress) It definitely "sparked" joy and smiles for the residents."

Bracha Drissman, Memory Care Recreational Therapist

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12 ISRAELI SHOWS TO BINGE

By Lior Zaltzman

I love Shtisel, you love Shtisel, everybody loves Shtisel! The Israeli show, about an Ultra-Orthodox family of the same last name, is taking American audiences by storm. Streaming on Netflix, this show has been covered by the New York Times and even has a Facebook fan group with more than 6,000 fans.

I totally get the hype — Shtisel is truly an impeccable show. Its only flaw? It is only two seasons long, and it’s very unlikely to have a third season.

If you’ve already plowed through the series, what’s a mom with insomnia (say, um, for example) supposed to binge watch now?! Well, dear reader, do not fret. From Netflix to Amazon, it seems the world is onto the fact that Israel makes some truly incredible TV.

These days, there is a delightful array of Israeli content on all your favorite streaming platforms. Seriously, it’s an embarrassment of riches. What’s even better is that many of these shows have cast members in common with Shtisel — Israel is a small country, after all.

FRIDAY FUNNY

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED

Prentis and Teitel staff embraced the season of giving by providing gifts and donations to Lighthouse of Oakland County. Their kindness and generosity will go a long way making this holiday season very bright and happy for a designated family.

Hundreds of JSL residents and staff in Oak Park got in the Chanukah spirit as they watched a menorah car parade, complete with singing and dancing from the boys of Yeshiva!

To make the holidays a bit brighter for our residents, Oak Park staff put together these beautiful gift bags!

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

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Chocolate Orange Challah

INGREDIENTS

DOUGH

3 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast

1/3 c. + 2 tbsp orange juice

Large orange, zested

1/3 c. olive oil

1/2 c. honey

2 eggs plus 1 yolk

1 1/2 tsp. salt

4 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 egg

FILLING

4 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate

4 oz. unsalted butter

1/3 c. granulated sugar

2 tbsp. cocoa powder

DIRECTIONS

Heat or microwave orange juice to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine yeast and orange juice and stir to dissolve, then add honey, zest, oil, and eggs and yolk. In a separate bowl, mix together salt and flour, transfer to mixer with hook attachment and knead on medium for 10 to 15 minutes.
Oil a separate bowl and transfer dough to it. Let sit, covered at room temperature, about 1 hour, then refrigerate overnight. The next day, gently press down dough and flip over in its bowl, re-cover, and let it come back to room temperature.
Meanwhile, make the filling. Melt together butter and chocolate; mix in granulated sugar and cocoa powder until combined. (It should be runny – a little graininess from the sugar is expected.) Let sit at room temperature while you ready dough.
Transfer dough to lightly floured surface and divide into two equal parts. Set one half aside, and gently press or roll the other into a wide rectangle about 15”-x-10” and 1/4” thick. Spread half chocolate filling all the way to the sides of the dough on the right and left, leaving a 1/2" to 1” space on the top and bottom edges. From the bottom edge closest to you, begin rolling up the dough (like cinnamon rolls). When you get near the end, wet the top 1/2” of dough and spread it thinly across your work surface–this will make it easier to adhere to the other side of the roll. Roll it up and smooth out the edge, then set aside to rest. Repeat with the other half of the dough, and let the two logs rest for another hour, covered loosely by plastic wrap or a dish towel.
Cut each log in half lengthwise. With chocolate stripes facing up, make a plus sign with two of the logs. Loosely weave the other two logs into this plus sign. Then, loosely take both ends of one side of the plus sign and cross them over each other. Do this to all sides of the plus sign, then do it again, and again, alternating going over and under, until you’re left with almost a round, then tuck the ends underneath the loaf. Keep it loose enough for the bread to have room to rise in the oven, but not so loose that there are visible spaces between the strands of dough.
Cover with a towel and let sit until puffy, about 2 hours. Brush with egg wash and let rise 1 hour more.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, then brush loaf again with egg wash before putting into the oven. Bake 35 to 45 minutes, but check on it around the 25- to 30-minute mark. If it's getting dark too quickly, cover with foil for remainder of cooking time.
When a thermometer reads an internal temperature of 195 degrees F (or when it looks bronzed and sounds a bit hollow when you tap on it), it’s done. Let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

This recipe is from delish.com

HOME WORKOUT

7 Minute "Good Morning!" Chair Workout for Seniors, At Home- Alone or Group, No Equipment

Start your day off right with this easy and hilarious 7 minute morning workout!

IN MEMORIAM

Evelyn Orbach

2017 Eight Over Eighty Honoree

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SHABBAT SHALOM

^{By Rabbi Dovid S. Polter}

Fireplace Magic

These wintry nights beckon us to gather around the fireplace or a warm and cozy spot to share the comfort and delight of the holidays. The orange flames flicker and the wood crackles as the family celebrates together. We find joy in the dancing flames and smoke-filled air. We find joy in a well-worn easy chair.

Even though we cannot fully enjoy holiday shopping and the thrills we used to take for granted, we still savor the good old-fashioned way of life by celebrating meaningful moments with or without a fireplace.

Let the holidays impress upon you to gather around your favorite cozy spot, sing the traditional melodies and reminisce about the precious past.