LILLIAN & SAMUEL HECHTMAN II APARTMENTS

Discover Jewish Senior Life!

Contact Jackie Rosender

248-444-2430 jrosender@jslmi.org

KEEPSAKES

by Jo Strausz Rosen

Letters are a magical way for people who are no longer here to comfort us and bring us happiness with the things they left behind.

After the death of my sweet sister-in-law, Brenda, our family spent a beautiful week of shiva together, recalling all the memories of good times that she left with us. On Sunday night we were celebrating my daughter Lindsey’s birthday, seated close together around the table telling stories. Suddenly I thought of another gift for everyone there. I had in my possession a box containing a whole year of my mother Bert’s letters to her older sister, written while she was stationed in Texas during World War II.

8 OVER 80

Behind the scenes with Eight Over Eighty as we film, photograph and interview one of our distinguished honorees, Alan S. Schwartz, former CEO and current Vice Chair of Honigman LLP. Among his many activities in the community, Alan is committed to Congregation Shaarey  Zedek where he served as past president. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and active with the Cancer Thrivers Network. He serves on the Executive Committee and is a board member of Invest Detroit, a leading non-profit whose purpose is the rebuilding and redevelopment of the city of Detroit. His leadership roles in The Legacy DMC and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce have made a difference in our community. 

FRIENDS

The best moment of my week was accompanying a group of Frankel students up to memory care to do mincha. Led by Eli Rosenzweig, the group included Maddie Charnas, Eliana Israilov, Harry Shaevsky, Hayden Dean, and Lilly Moss.

Sometimes it can be challenging to connect with people who have dementia. They don’t always make eye contact. They may look a little blank. They may say things that don’t make a lot of sense. It can be hard to know how to respond or if you’re connecting. But I can tell you that these kids connected. They brought a sense of holiness into the space that bypasses cognition and goes directly into the heart and I could feel it and I could feel the people around me feeling it. It felt a lot like the sun finally coming out this week – a deep warmth.

It was partly the familiar liturgy and the melodies. But it was something more, something we see a lot between volunteers and residents. It’s a heart connection. We’re called FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life because everyone who comes in here to help is creating that connection, creating lovely friendships.

I was in the boutique with a volunteer the other day who was kibitzing with one of the shoppers. “How did we get to be friends?” asked the resident. “When you came in here!” said the volunteer. And that’s how it goes. How do we get to be friends? We bring the holiness in and it connects. 

Above: The JSL Foundation Team test driving Boutique sunglasses on our beautiful property.

On the subject of the sun coming out this week, I put my sunglasses on for the first time in a while today. If, during the course of the long, grey months, you have mislaid your sunglasses (mine were at the very bottom of my very big purse), we’re heading into spring in the boutique. In addition to a fun collection of sunglasses, we’re preparing to switch over to spring clothing, so there are lots of great sales prices on jackets, vests, and sweaters, as well as last year’s summer items. Plus, we’re one stop shopping for hearts and cards to show your love next week!

On the subject of showing your love, please let us know about your loved ones who are 95 and older (or will be by December 31, 2024). We would like to invite them to The Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish American Celebration. Just fill out the form on the JSL website and we will send them an invitation.

Hoping this week is full of love and sunshine for all of our FRIENDS!

Beth Robinson

Director

FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life

248-592-2062

brobinson@jslmi.org

WEEKLY RECIPE

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with White Wine Sauce

From the German Jewish Cookbook, this recipe is delicious, nutritious and easy!

FEBRUARY FUN FACT

LEGO bricks withstand compression better than concrete. An ordinary plastic LEGO brick is able to support the weight of 375,000 other bricks before it fails. This, theoretically, would let you build a tower nearing 3.5km in height. Scaling this up to house-size bricks, however, would cost far too much.

MARGOT & WARREN COVILLE

ASSISTED LIVING &

MEMORY CARE

Come see the JSL Difference!

Contact Janet Antin

248-967-4240 jantin@jslmi.org

TAKE WINTER

IN STRIDE

Staying active in winter is one of the best things you can do to maintain your health. Frigid temperatures and slippery roads can make you think twice about driving to the gym or walking outside. For winter health guidance, join Molly Petreanu from Powerback Rehabilitation for expert advice on:



• How to stay active in winter

• How to prevent falls

• How to get up safely if you experience a fall

Tuesday, February 13, 1:00pm Jewish Senior Life

Meer Apartments

6760 W. Maple Rd.

West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Seating is limited, call Beth now to reserve your space!

248-592-5026

info@jslmi.org

or

REGISTER HERE:

jslmi.org/events/rsvp/

EXTRA! EXTRA!

JSL IN THE

JEWISH NEWS

"Getting Physical" - how Jewish Senior Life residents are staying active this winter.

NEW

FRIENDSHIPS IN BLOOM

Bloomfield Hills Trader Joe employees visited Fleischman residents this week. The volunteers brought beautiful flowers, delicious kosher snacks and taught residents flower arranging techniques. Friendships were made and joy was shared by all!

"By fostering these relationships, Fleischman residents benefit from increased socialization, emotional support and practical assistance with various activities," Life Enrichment Director Gita Atanaskovski said. "The volunteers gain valuable perspectives and insights from our seniors and learn what JSL is all about as well."

MEETING OF THE (GREAT) MINDS

Our "Glad Hatter" FRIENDS Lives Well Lived chair Hannah Moss met with the committee today to talk about the next event in November!



Read about last year's event, see the pictures and order a copy of resident-written "Don't Write Me Off!": jslmi.org/events/jsls-lives-well-lived/

WORKOUT OF

THE WEEK

Try this exercise to lower blood sugar quickly. This 20-minute walking workout is designed to be accessible and effective for individuals with prediabetes or diabetes, and can be done seated or standing.

FRIDAY FUNNY