Weekly News & Updates
Caring for Older Adults Since 1907
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MARGOT & WARREN COVILLE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE |
More than a place to live, it is a place you can call home! |
Contact Janet Antin
248-967-4240 jantin@jslmi.org
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Two years ago, I stood in a long line with a few hundred fellow convention attendees as Dan Heath signed a copy of his book, The Power of Moments. Our eyes met and I held his gaze thanking him for personalizing the book and I think he understood that this was a powerful moment for me. He had just spoken at the AJAS national convention, and I was inspired. He said, “Many of the defining moments in our lives are the result of accident or luck- but why would we leave our most meaningful, memorable moments to chance when we ourselves can create them?”
I think about his comment regularly and often try to recreate some sort of magic when I walk out in the world. I enjoy making eye contact, sharing a funny comment or a poignant thought – especially in the halls with our JSL residents and staff.
Laura Shields from Dining Services sent me a fabulous photo of 135 Meer residents dining together for the first time in so many months, hands waving in the hair, beaming eyes and wide smiles. My first response was tears. We did it. We made it through, and the power of that moment isn’t lost on me.
Can we recommit our passion and purpose that led us to work at JSL? I think about our mission and vision and keep this front of mind. If someone has a great idea, I embrace it. If a resident complains about something, our Administrators make it a priority to fix it. And now, post COVID-19, how can we feel united again? I think about the much loved and missed community classes and dining experiences. For groups, defining moments arise when we create shared meaning – highlighting the mission that binds us together and supersedes our differences.
Heath asks, “How can we design moments that knit groups together? We must create synchronized moments, invite all to share their purposeful struggles and connect each of us to each other through meaning that says, “We’re in this together and what we’re doing matters.”
Take time to notice the peak moments in our lives – shared social moments like weddings, birthdays, retirement celebrations, festivals, graduations, rites of passage, theater, concerts, and competitions. Think back to our virtual events, remote meetings that took the place of live action. Having produced several events, I sometimes say to myself, “I really enjoy those virtual events.” And my fearful side says, “I don’t have to leave my house.” But then I recall how good it feels to be together in person, laughing, crying, clapping, shouting, touching, hugging…. for a common purpose! Big moments need to be shared in person.
Heath says, “If you want to be part of a group that bonds like cement, take on a really demanding task that’s deeply meaningful. All of you will remember it for the rest of your lives.” I think of our volunteers and staff who work endlessly to provide our JSL residents with whatever is needed to make meaningful moments and let their hearts sing. I am grateful for all of you.
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You’re invited to attend a Book Sale
Tuesday, August 3rd from 1-3pm outside Fleischman!
Support Fleischman Residence as we sell gently used best sellers and books by well-known authors to make room for the purchase of new large print books which will be much more accessible for our residents. We are also happy to trade/accept large print books as well.
Thank you in advance for your support!
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94 YEAR OLD WOMAN TRIES ON WEDDING DRESS FOR FIRST TIME |
By Sydney Page
Martha Tucker always dreamed of wearing a classic white gown on her wedding day. But when she got married in 1952, she was barred from entering a bridal shop because of her race.
As a Black woman in Birmingham, Ala., she was forbidden from trying on her dream dress: an embroidered white gown with lace overlay and long sleeves. At the time, “I wasn’t even thinking about buying a wedding dress because I knew I couldn’t go in the store,” Tucker, who is now 94, recalled.
There were no Black-owned bridal stores in the city, she said, and White-owned retail stores didn’t allow Black people to try on clothing. “If you bought anything you had to go in the basement and get used stuff,” Tucker said.
Jim Crow laws in Birmingham also prohibited her from being served in the same restaurant or riding in the same vehicle as White people. Black people were also barred from playing games such as checkers with White people.
Tucker and her husband wed in a simple ceremony in their pastor’s living room. Not having a traditional wedding — or dress — has been a sore spot ever since. “I always have been sad about it because I felt like I should have been able to wear it if I wanted to,” Tucker said.
Recently, though, Tucker’s wish to wear a wedding dress was finally granted, when her family brought her to a bridal shop for a long overdue gown fitting — nearly 70 years after her wedding day.
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This 20 minute gentle yoga class is perfect for seniors and beginners! |
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ANNA & MEYER PRENTIS APARTMENTS
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HARRIETT & BEN TEITEL APARTMENTS
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Income based affordable housing featuring one bedroom and barrier free apartments |
Contact Valentina Shub
248-967-2224 vshub@jslmi.org
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LARGE ATTENDANCE AT MEER CONCERT |
Meer Apartments was delighted to host a concert by Rennie and Esther Kaufmann in their dining room this week with a large resident audience! Resident Elizabeth Silver and others enjoyed swaying to the music on a lovely evening with friends. |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION |
Impact of Systemic Bias and Racism
“ I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Racism exists in several levels: internalized, interpersonal, institutional and structural. If only addressed at an interpersonal level, we will fail to understand how racism is perpetuated in our society.
To learn more about systemic bias and racism:
Read:
This article describes 5 Examples of Institutional Racism in the United States
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The Smithsonian National Museum of African History and Culture publishes articles and resources that explore race and racism. This article explores racism and being antiracist. |
Watch:
Systemic Racism is explained in these short videos.
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What I am learning from my white grandchildren -- truths about race |
This video helps to better understand how internalized racism is learned and how it could be unlearned. |
Think:
Have you experienced or observed racism? How did it make you feel?
What is something that you have learned about racism as a result of this session?
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HOW TO CHOOSE A CLEAN & SAFE SUNSCREEN |
By Tiarra Mukherjee
Here comes the sun. Along with the pleasures of warm weather and more time enjoying the great outdoors, the usual host of concerns and confusion about sunscreen return. The struggle to separate fact from fiction has become an annual ritual as news reports trickle in and clickbait headlines scream apocalyptic warnings.
The good news is, as more people become aware of the importance — and potential shortfalls — of sunscreen, an increasing amount of new research is emerging.
Case in point: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposal in February 2019 in the Federal Register for updated sunscreen regulations. And in May 2021 the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy group, released its 15th Annual Guide to Sunscreens.
The bad news is the new EWG report found that roughly three-quarters of the 1,800 sunscreens analyzed don’t provide adequate protection or contain ingredients that the FDA has not yet established are safe and effective. Unlike in Europe, which regulates sunscreens like beauty products, and where 27 active sunscreen ingredients are approved by the government, in the United States, the FDA currently only allows the use of 16 active ingredients.
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Blueberry Donuts
Donuts
3 cups Mishpacha All Purpose Flour
1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup milk (Gefen Almond or soy milk are also fine)
2 teaspoons Gefen Vanilla Extract
3 large eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted margarine or butter, melted
Blueberry Glaze
1 (6-ounce) container fresh blueberries
1/2 cup water
squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1/2 to 3/4 cup Gefen Confectioners' Sugar
Prepare the Donuts
1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a donut pan and set aside.
2) In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3) In a large bowl, whisk together milk, vanilla extract, eggs, and margarine or butter until thoroughly combined.
4) Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
5) Fill a piping bag with the batter and pipe it into the prepared pan (or spoon it into the donut cavities). Bake 10 to 15 minutes, then set aside to cool.
Prepare the Blueberry Glaze
1) In a saucepan, combine blueberries, water, and lemon juice. Cook until blueberries break down, adding a bit more water if blueberries stick to the pot. Mash with a fork.
2) Remove saucepan from the heat. (I like some blueberry pieces in my glaze, but you can strain them if it bothers you.) Add confectioners’ sugar, stirring until mixture attains a glaze consistency, almost like pancake batter.
3) Dip cooled donuts into the glaze and enjoy!
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
The Music Baton
For centuries music has represented a window of hope, healing, pleasure, and direction.
A prominent spiritual leader once instructed a well-known music conductor to rotate his baton in a westerly direction, explaining that “the holiest chamber of the Temple was situated on the west side of the Temple. It is from there where our prayers ascend on High. By occasionally pointing your baton in a westerly direction you are remembering the Holy Sanctuary that stood in the west of the Temple.”
To elaborate: The direction of west is where the sun sets. Thus, the west can often be associated with darkness and gloom.
This spiritual leader enlightened the music conductor by helping him understand his role. He is to bring joy to the west – to where the sun sets daily, to where, figuratively, melancholy sets in. Pointing the baton in this direction will encourage people to see the music in the setting sun, and the light and hope within darker times of life.
He was challenging those facing their “evening” phases of life to search for opportunities to transform gloom, tears, depression and loneliness into a pure state of happiness and joy. If nothing else, simply think music!
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 recent recorded message.
Rabbi Dovid S. Polter Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program Jewish Senior Life
248-592-5039 • dpolter@jslmi.org
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This newsletter was created by Jo Rosen and Amanda Martlock
We’re human, prone to mistakes, so if we erred in our newsletter, please forgive us!
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L’Chaim!
We are so grateful for your financial contributions.
Please continue your engAGEment with JSL.
Your support enhances the lives of our residents.
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Nancy Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer
Jennie Klepinger, 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
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People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome. |
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