NORMA JEAN & EDWARD MEER APARTMENTS

Discover Jewish Senior Life!

Contact Amie Schulz

248-592-1146

 aschulz@jslmi.org

THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW

by Jo Strausz Rosen

Whether it’s the letdown of a favorite sports team losing the big game, or missing out on an opportunity, or facing a personal setback… don’t we all have moments when things don’t go as we had hoped?



When I sat down to write this column Sunday morning after watching our Detroit Lions fall short in their game against the Washington Commanders my thoughts turned to the residents at JSL and how they cope with setbacks. One of the signs of healthy aging is the ability to cope with disappointment.  So, we asked a couple of residents about how they cope with these sorts of things. 

EXTRA! EXTRA!

JSL IN THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS x2

Read all about "Meer Day" and "Hechtman Happy Hours" in this week's Detroit Jewish News.

FRIENDS OF JSL

I like to keep it positive here, but someone just used my least favorite word to describe older adults – “cute,” and I’m a tiny bit irked. If we’re not currently older, we’re all on our way to getting older (with luck), but I don’t think, and maybe I’m wrong, that I’m getting cuter. I hope I’m getting wiser, more knowledgeable, more philosophical, more accepting, more loving, more humble, more of all the qualities I value. At least, that’s the goal and I’m going to keep at it ad mea v’ esrim (until 120) or however long I’m given. But I’m really not honing my cuteness, and I don’t care to be treated like a puppy now or in the future. And I suspect I’m not alone in preferring dignity to a pat on the head.

I’ve been working with several past presidents of the Women’s Auxiliary (now FRIENDS) on our 100 Years of Volunteers celebration. Yesterday, I was at the Leonard Simons Community Archive, and I was reading the minutes of some of the meetings from the1960s. The Auxiliary was a well-run organization that raised money to support the Home as well as managing an extensive corps of volunteers who planned activities, events and outings for the residents. Their mission was to “provide such additional comforts and entertainment as may be deemed necessary to the well-being of the residents of the Home.”

Those ladies were amazing. They set the pace and the tone for life at JSL. The wildly popular Live and Learn program at Meer might well be seen as a direct descendant of early auxiliary programs. Many auxiliary leaders are gone now, but several of the past presidents are still alive, and the older ones are still active well into their advanced years. Not that they’re never cute, but they are far more often thoughtful, insightful, effective, hard-working, committed volunteers. We have many volunteers in their 80s and 90s who are still going strong.

Anyway, my point is that they did and do set an inspiring example, one I’m lucky to learn from daily, and one that’s worth spending a year celebrating. I hope you’ll follow their tradition as volunteers, as leaders, and as esteemed elders.

If you’re ready to take up the mantle (and/or call bingo), please give me a call. I’d love to welcome you into their ranks.

Can anyone name this volunteer?

And check out our volunteer page to see many of the opportunities to get involved on both our Oak Park and West Bloomfield campuses.

Marvin's Bistro volunteer Marcia Proghovnick with Dining Services staff Christina Brown

Beth Robinson

Director

FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life

248-592-5062

brobinson@jslmi.org

FRIDAY FUNNY

EDWARD I. & FREDA FLEISCHMAN RESIDENCE

Come see the JSL Difference!

Contact Janet Antin

248-967-4240

jantin@jslmi.org

JSL ON 'GOOD MORNING AMERICA'

Last week's "Lions Pep Rally" event has now been featured nearly 250 times across print, on air, and social media outlets, locally and nationally. Now that is a JSL 'TOUCHDOWN!'

Just a few quick links to enjoy:

EIGHT OVER 80:

A WEEK OF INSPIRATION AND CONNECTION

This week has been nothing short of a whirlwind as Scott Wasserman and I had the privilege of filming and interviewing five of the Eight Over 80 honorees for the 2025 gala event. Throughout these powerful conversations, I was moved by their stories, laughing and shedding tears as they shared memories from their remarkable lives. One common thread that ran through each of their narratives was their unwavering passion for and pride in their Jewish heritage.

SPECIAL EVENT @ COVILLE ASSISTED LIVING

When It Is Time to Move into Assisted Living?

A Thoughtful Conversation for You and Your Family

Join us for an informative and supportive discussion with JSL senior living advisors about one of life's most significant decisions.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

6:00pm-8:00pm

Coville Assisted Living

15100 W. Ten Mile Rd.

Oak Park, MI 48237

CRAFTY WITH CRAYONS

Wax ON! Hechtman residents gathered for this month's "Crafting with Tova," a Part Two session of "Melted Crayon Art." Next month, Tova (Hechtman Life Enrichment Coordinator) will lead a group in decorating window cling sun catchers.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Pretty sweet! Potatoes that is. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Za’atar chickpeas, whipped Tahini yogurt and pickled red onions is the healthy meal you didn’t realize was healthy -and delicious!

AT HOME WORKOUT

A 30-minute chair exercise class designed for seniors or beginners wanting the option of chair exercises. Suitable for anyone looking to get back into fitness. Ideal for older adults, those with mobility issues, or beginners. Water bottles or food cans can be used for weights if needed.

The hand and footprints in front of Los Angeles’s Chinese Theater tradition started accidentally when silent film actress Norma Talmadge stepped on wet cement.