Weekly News & Updates
Caring for Older Adults Since 1907
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LOOKING AHEAD WITH ANTICIPATION |
The holiday of Tu B’Shevat always gives me hope, thinking ahead to Springtime in Israel when the first fruits appear on the trees. There is so much for which to be grateful. I’m looking forward to interviewing our eight honorees for our 2021 Eight Over Eighty event. Our experienced committee led by Co-chairs, Arlene Selik, Nancy Reed and Neil Satovsky met by zoom on Monday to discuss details of this year’s LIVE Virtual event, taking place on May 23. “It’s so good to focus on the process of planning what will certainly be another feel good celebration– made even better by the fact that so many of us are getting vaccinated,” said Arlene. Members of the committee are also reaching out as liaisons to the honorees. And I’m heading up my annual role as fundraiser in chief, seeking sponsors, donors and those who would like to place ads in our Journal honoring these very special recipients of the Tikkun Olam Award.
Eight Frankel Jewish Academy students will also interview the honorees: Skylar Elbinger, Shayna Foreman, Charlie Labelle, Kira Saroken, Nora Skolnik, Adam State, Charlie Tobias and Andrew Tukel. Thank you to Rabbi Pachter at the FJA whose leadership creates a great flow with the honorees. I invite all of you to join us May 23. Invitations will be mailed in April. We also can send an email version. Please let us know if you are not already on our list.
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JSL has been busier than ever welcoming outreach from our community. Students from Hillel Day School, Frankel Jewish Academy and professionals from Federation have been reaching out to touch base, virtually visit, share stories and get to know our residents and learn what is needed to engage them.
We are so grateful to the community for keeping us in your thoughts as we continue to hope and pray for the end to the pandemic. We can’t help but think ahead to when we will have the opportunity to be together again. I miss the daily hugs, I miss eating at Marvin’s Bistro with my staff and friends. I miss seeing all of you! Continue to take care and enjoy a warm and wonderful Shabbat in good health.
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NATIONAL BAGEL AND LOX DAY |
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Celebrate this national holiday with JSL by enjoying Bagels and Lox and some sweet treats! Marvin’s Bistro misses you!
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$10.99 per lox plate
Includes: Bagel, Lox, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Capers, Hard Boiled Egg, Cream Cheese (real dairy)
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$2.50 per thick frosted brownie |
$2 per two chocolate chip cookies |
To place your order, contact Leslie Katz by February 4th at 12pm lkatz@jslmi.org or 248-321-1437
Pick-up February 9th from 2-3pm at Fleischman Residence: 6710 W. Maple Road, WB, 48322
Call Christine Brown at 248-661-1108 who will bring your order to your car
Brownies and Cookies are Parve
All food Certified Kosher
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KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED |
Many of our communities found safe ways to celebrate Tu B’Shevat this week, such as Meer Apartments! Staff and residents led a beautiful seder over the intercom for everyone at Meer to enjoy. Click the link below to see all that was included in this celebration. |
Find more fun photos from this special day and other exciting activities in our community by visiting our "Keeping Our Community Connected" page on our website or clicking the link below. |
Meer RSC, Karen Gales (left) and Meer Activity Coordinator, Myriam Cohen (right) run the weekly radio show |
By Marcia Mittelman
When COVID-19 arrived, JSL enforced closures in communal dining and activities to protect our residents. It became clear that we would have to be creative and develop meaningful activities for our residents.
Utilizing the intercom system to pipe news into every apartment, WJSL Meer Radio was created. Karen Gales, Resident Service Coordinator and Myriam Cohen, Program Coordinator, conduct the weekly radio show for 140 Meer residents.
The half hour program includes staff and resident interviews, current events, guest speakers, live entertainment, TV and movie reviews. Some of the segments are pre-recorded for the live show. Guest speakers have included Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny; Podiatrist, Dr. Robert Lubin; Jazz musicians Cliff Monear and Barbara Ware have also performed live.
On the same intercome, every Friday night a resident recites the blessings over the candles, wine, and challah. DeDe Domstein hosts an Oneg Shabbat and has also conducted High Holiday Services. In past years, Josh Goldberg led the Passover Sederim.
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BEHIND THE MASK: Meet our Devoted JSL Family |
Janet Antin, Administrator at Coville, began her career as Program Coordinator at Fleischman in 2002. Nine years ago, she took over the reins at Coville and devotes herself to enhancing the lives of older adults, “the jewels of our community.” She lives in Southfield with her husband, near her family, including sister, Marcia Mittelman who is Administrator at Meer Apartments. Janet shared, “We are a JSL family… my in-laws lived at Coville, our mother lived at Hechtman and Coville, and all of our siblings, nieces and nephews have all volunteered over the years. We truly believe in the JSL mission.”
When she worked as Program Director in West Bloomfield, she initiated hosting the Woodward Dream Cruise on the JSL campus. “The residents love this Detroit tradition, but due to their mobility and logistical issues they could not attend. Therefore, we brought the cruise to them. After months of recruiting, we had 18 cruisers bring their classic cars to the West Bloomfield campus for our first Annual Senior Dream Cruise. As they say, the rest is history. Over 80 cruisers (and their classic cars) now contact us to participate in this magnificent program.”
Janet’s advice to staff and residents who are coping with the pandemic is to create a gratitude journal. “Try to find the goodness and have positive thoughts daily. Hang in there, we can get through this together.”
When not at work, Janet is an avid reader and watches movies that inspire her. Her favorite book: Out of the Depths: The Story of a Child of Buchenwald Who Returned Home at Last, is the story of Rabbi Israel Meir Lau the chief Rabbi of Israel. “He was one of the youngest children to survive the concentration camps. When he arrived in Israel, he didn’t even speak Hebrew… truly inspirational.” Her favorite movies are classics including Casablanca, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Princess Bride, and West Side Story.
After the pandemic is over, Janet looks forward to spending time with family and friends, especially giving and receiving a lot of hugs. She misses entertaining and taking road trips with her husband.
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BAGELS, SCHMEAR, AND VOLUNTEERS |
Are you a JSL volunteer or community member who wants to connect? Please join Leslie Katz on Mondays at 11:00 AM where she will lead a discussion on the latest JSL news, recipes, creative home exercise, and Netflix suggestions!
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Meeting ID: 949 2936 8991
Passcode: 257970
Meeting ID: 949 2936 8991
Passcode: 257970
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SHOP JSL'S ONLINE BOUTIQUE |
This Black Zipper Jacket with pockets is the perfect everyday item for when you are on the go or at home! Find this and many other wonderful items at:
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Baked Siti
Main Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash (yields about 4 cups of “siti”)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 4 large white mushrooms, cut in chunks
- 4–5 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- salt, to taste
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes, or more if desired
- 6 ounces (170 grams) feta cheese, divided
- fresh basil, for topping
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Cut spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds. Place squash halves face down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit five minutes, then flip over and allow to cool completely. (For a larger squash, you may need five to 10 more minutes of baking time.)
- Use a fork to create spaghetti-like strands from the flesh of the squash. Set the empty shells aside for a cool serving option.
- While squash is cooking, prepare the rest of the dish: In a large frying pan, melt butter. Sauté onion until it begins to soften, then add garlic and mushrooms. Season with salt. Sauté vegetables until soft. Add spinach leaves and heat just to wilt. Add crushed tomatoes and mix to combine.
- Lower oven heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Combine vegetable mixture with the prepared spaghetti squash. Toss with four ounces feta cheese. Divide the mixture between the empty squash shells or pour it into a casserole dish. Top with remaining two ounces feta cheese.
- Bake just until the cheese begins to melt. Top with fresh basil and serve.
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Follow JSL on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the most up to date and inspiring JSL content. Leave a like while you're there too! |
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, JSL Community Chaplain
The following is one of the most touching and empowering notes I received from a volunteer during my two-and-half-decades of community chaplaincy service. I hope you are equally moved by the power of one senior. – Rabbi Dovid Polter
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“It’s circa 1995 and I took over for a rabbi at a local senior residence. There are usually 25 residents at our Friday Shabbat programs. My energy surges 100% for every Shabbat service I lead. Time passes and with each Friday night there are 20 residents, then 15 residents, then 10 residents. How do I feel when there are fewer residents? I notice my energy decreasing. I feel like Abraham at Sodom and Gomorrah. How will I feel when there is only one Jewish resident left?
I realize that I am not there for myself. The mitzvah is not mine. I understand that it is the resident for whom the mitzvah is intended. But why should I worry, when I know there will always be three or four Jewish residents here to make me feel useful.
But then, the moment I feared most arrived. Last Friday Jack was in the hospital, Sarah fell and awaited an ambulance; Mike was taking a shower. Gisele was unavailable. Hyman showed up alone at my service, eyeing me with worry.
The beauty of the Kiddush inspired me as never before. Each word; each sentence; each song; each prayer shone through. The joy on this resident’s face was wondrous, filled with appreciation, and I felt 100% energized!”
Life is full of wonderful surprises and I just wanted to share this one with you.”
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Be inspired. Call Shabbat Shalom by Phone
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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