NORMA JEAN & EDWARD MEER APARTMENTS | Discover Jewish Senior Life! | |
Contact Amie Schulz
248-592-1146
aschulz@jslmi.org
| THE JOY IN MOURNING: CELEBRATING LIFE AT A JEWISH FUNERAL | |
Each day begins with a quiet moment of gratitude, as we thank G-d for the gift of life. Yet, like the repetitive cycles of Groundhog Day, we find ourselves navigating the emotional highs and lows of existence. One moment we’re joyfully celebrating with bride and groom, the next we’re grieving the ongoing plight of hostages still not freed. One moment we cheer on our grandchildren at their basketball games, while simultaneously feeling the weight of the dire situation of the California wildfires. We can live fully in these moments and experience more than just one emotion.
We are deeply moved by the passing of beloved elders, each leaving behind a legacy of stories, wisdom, and generations to carry their memory forward. Jewish funerals, rich in solemn tradition, transform into heartfelt tributes to lives well-lived. Funerals remind us that while death is inevitable, it’s also an integral part of life's endless cycle. The loved ones we say goodbye to live on in the stories we tell, the laughter that echoes their unique personalities, and the lasting imprint they leave in our hearts.
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EXTRA! EXTRA!
JSL IN THE NEWS
| "Jewish Senior Life Residents Celebrate Veterans Day" in this week's Detroit Jewish News. | |
The first week of January has been a bustling time around here.
Building Services staff are hanging new pictures. Boutique volunteers are unwrapping new merchandise (if you like leggings, we just got a ton of them!). There are activities going on all around JSL. And I’m deep in planning mode. I’m putting fashion shows on the calendar (I’ll let you know), reordering boutique merchandise, and working with our Life Enrichment Coordinators on volunteer needs and opportunities.
Some of those include:
- Baking hamantaschen, arts and crafts, trivia / word games, sing-alongs at Meer – times / dates flexible
- Lecturers on topics of expertise at Hechtman – times/dates flexible
- Fridays 4:30pm – Leader for Kabbalat Shabbat at Fleischman
- Saturdays 11:30am – Leader for Shabbat morning service at Fleischman
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:30pm – Bingo caller at Fleischman
- January 19 – February 3, Fleischman’s wonderful Life Enrichment Coordinator, Gita Atanaskovski, will be visiting her home country of Lithuania for the first time in eight years. We will need lots of help here during that period, from 11:00am – 4:30pm each weekday. Come for an hour or come for a few – we’ll be delighted to have you!
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We also have lots of other openings in West Bloomfield and Oak Park. Check our volunteer page for opportunities or feel free to give me a call any time.
This year is a special year for FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life. It marks the hundredth anniversary of the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary. Back in 1925, there was no such thing as a Life Enrichment Coordinator. Staff cared for the physical needs of residents, but it was volunteers who created and ran activities and entertainment. Over the last century, that tradition of volunteerism at JSL has continued and we still have a robust corps of regulars who continue to enrich the lives of our older adults.
Over the course of the year, we’ll being sharing photos of volunteers, some of whom we can identify and some of whom we’d love to be able to identify and honor.
Take a good look at this one and email me at brobinson@jslmi.org if you can identify any of these early volunteers!
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Stay warm!
Beth Robinson
Director
FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life
brobinson@jslmi.org
248-592-5062
| Older adults are working longer. By 2022, 24% of men and about 15% of women ages 65 and older were in the labor force. These levels are projected to rise further by 2032, to 25% for men and 17% for women. | |  |
EDWARD I. & FREDA FLEISCHMAN RESIDENCE | Come see the JSL Difference! | |
Contact Janet Antin
248-967-4240
jantin@jslmi.org
| GETTING TO KNOW THEM...GETTING TO KNOW OUR EIGHT HONOREES | |
We are thrilled to introduce the exceptional individuals being honored at this year's Eight Over 80 celebration.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing sneak peeks into their remarkable lives and teasing you with inspiring stories, quotes, and personal anecdotes from our interviews with them. These conversations, taking place later this month and in February, will give you a deeper look into their lives and the incredible impact they’ve had on our community.
Invitations will be mailed and emailed, and we thank you for your patience as our plans unfold. We are collecting addresses for those who wish to attend. This year’s Eight Over 80 Gala is shaping up to be our largest fundraiser yet, and we are here to answer any questions you may have as we continue to build excitement around this special occasion.
Stay tuned for more details about how you can get involved, and support JSL and prepare to celebrate with the entire community the morning of Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
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ENJOY COOKIES + COCOA, AND
EXPERT ADVICE
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Join us at Hechtman Independent Living for a cozy gathering featuring Nicole McAvoy from DOBI Real Estate, a “Senior Real Estate Specialist” dedicated to helping navigate the journey of home selling.
Tuesday, January 14th
11:00am - 1:00pm
6690 W. Maple Rd.
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Space is limited. Please RSVP to Sales Specialist Jackie Rosender: 248-444-2430.
| ZOOM WITH THE BROWN CENTER | Join the Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program on Tuesday, January 14th at 2:00pm for a complimentary Zoom presentation on the new Power of Attorney Act and learn more about the Brown Center, our dementia specific adult day program. |
Bob, one of Meer’s exceptional transportation drivers, hosts a monthly No-Bake Baking class for residents. In January, he wowed everyone with his unique twist on the classic "dirt" cake! Known for his creativity and mouthwatering desserts, No-Bake Bob has built a loyal following, always serving up not only delicious treats, but plenty of laughs and smiles along the way. | Say hello to a “whole” lot of delicious goodness with this Whole Wheat Za’atar Pita. Easy to make and delicious, you can choose your "puffy" level, and enjoy! | This engaging and upbeat 29-minute video demonstrates how to incorporate chair aerobics into your daily fitness routine. Perfect for seniors and individuals with limited mobility, this program offers a fun and accessible way to stay active. Let’s get moving! |
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
Lo Eera
In light of the current global unrest, I feel compelled to republish a personal experience that occurred a few years ago, one that has remained deeply meaningful to me, and which I believe may offer some comfort and insight to you, the reader.
About three years ago, as I was pulling into a medical facility, I noticed an unusual license plate on the car in front of me. The plate read, "Lo Eera,” two Hebrew words that translate to "I shall not fear." These words are recited daily in our prayers, and they conclude the well-known morning prayer, Adon Olam.
The fact that this license plate was facing me, directly visible as I sat in my car, felt significant, almost like a message meant just for me. In that moment, I sensed that my Creator was offering me a reminder, not to be afraid, even as the world around us often seems chaotic and unsettled. "Lo Eera" was not just a phrase on a license plate; it was a divine reassurance. It was a reminder that, despite the turmoil we might face, we can choose not to fear. And so, I share that message with you now: "I shall not fear."
Just moments after this revelation, the relevance of the message became even clearer. Ten minutes after entering the facility, the fire alarm suddenly went off, and we were all asked to evacuate. As I stood outside, holding my prayer book, I reflected on the message I'd just received. This was the moment to put the lesson into practice. Lo Eera… I shall not fear.
So powerful was the reminder that I took a photocopy of the license plate and tucked it into my prayer book. Since then, it has remained there, and I continue to pray with it daily, my heart full of gratitude and trust.
When I shared this experience with a friend, he seemed puzzled by my excitement. After all, he pointed out, these words are recited by anyone who prays regularly. “What don’t you understand?” I replied. "Yes, these words are in the prayer book, but this time, they were delivered to me personally, as if from heaven itself. How could I not be excited?"
King David, in his famous Psalm 23, expresses a similar sentiment: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall not fear, Lo eera, for You, (my Creator) are with me.” The message is clear: no matter what we face, we are not alone, and we need not fear.
Fear and intimidation are often at the root of many of our failures and anxieties. Let us resolve, together, to muster every ounce of courage and to fear nothing but G-d alone.
May we all find strength in these words, Lo Eera, "I shall not fear,” and let them guide us through uncertain times with faith and confidence.
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Shabbat Shalom by Phone - Enjoy some inspiration.
Dial Toll free: 605-313-4107 Access code: 270368#
(Reference number not needed)
Dial # to hear the most recently recorded message.
Rabbi Dovid S. Polter Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program Jewish Senior Life 248-592-5039 • dpolter@jslmi.org
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L’Chaim!
More than half of the residents who live in our JSL communities are considered low income or indigent. Your philanthropic support is essential to maintaining programs and services to help these older adults age with dignity and with a better quality of life. In addition, your gifts could significantly support the shortfall in the cost of pharmacy bills which are so vital to the residents’ wellness. We are so grateful for your generous gifts to Jewish Senior Life.
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Nancy Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer
Kara Powers, 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
Jennifer Staniszewski, Executive Director, Independent Residential Operations
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This newsletter was created by Jo Rosen and Nicole Lupiloff
We’re human, prone to mistakes, so if we erred in our newsletter, please forgive us!
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People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome. | |
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Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit
Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus
6710 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322
A. Alfred Taubman Jewish Community Campus
15100 W. Ten Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237
Donations
248-592-5027
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