Weekly News & Updates
Caring for Older Adults Since 1907
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Lillian & Samuel Hechtman II Apartments
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Norma Jean & Edward Meer Apartments
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Now accepting applications for our award winning independent senior living communities! |
Contact Jackie Rosender
jrosender@jslmi.org 248-444-2430
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Ask my 3-year-old granddaughter to point out the other children on the playground, and she will invariably scan the site and select the younger ones. Age is both a fixed number and fluid, as is the way we think about and experience it. At the time of this writing, I am 68. How I feel about it at any given moment depends on whether my bunions hurt, or my knee aches. Different mental and physical states coexist. Author, Wendy Lustbader in her book “Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older” wrote, “We are, at every moment, younger and older.” There are “radical ambiguities of old age.” As we age, “we also retain, in one manifestation or another, traces of all the selves we have been… rendering us psychically, in one sense, all ages and no age.” Unless we fall into the tiny minority hijacked by severe, late-stage dementia, all those selves will remain available to us until the end.
So, we get to pick the mental age we are. We can decide to act our numerical age or embrace our inner youth with a sense of humor, a loving heart, and a forgiving soul. I used to hear regularly from my mother, “Act your age!” or “Oh, grow up!” whenever I was misbehaving or acting other than like the young lady, she wished I would be. My father, on the other hand, took great pleasure in acting years younger than his given age, and I truly believe this way of embracing life gave him and gave us the gift of 99 years of Lloyd.
What I gained from my interviews with some of the Eight Over Eighty honorees, is that we must seek joy in everything we do. Look around the corner for it. Spot it in the hallways and the fields, in volunteer activities, in the interactions with a stranger, in the faces of students and grandchildren and in the birds in the sky. Find the things in life that bring you joy and cling to them… keeping the memory of these special moments within reach, to take out and appreciate when the joy is hard to find. Be a joy seeker. Share the love. Find some humor and don’t give up remembering who you used to be before age may have colored your thinking. Let’s age together and help to remind each other of the joy and purpose we still can find.
As Jewish Senior Life reopens and people are finding their way back to us and to one another, we embrace our residents and those new friends who will soon call us home. Live with Community. Live with Purpose. Live with Joy.
Live, With us!
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Over twenty years ago Dorothy and Peter Brown planted a seed of hope in our community for families living with dementia. That seed grew to be the Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program. With your support, we have been nurturing Brown Center participants and their family care partners ever since. Now more than ever, we focus on hope as we look forward to coming back together once again with the reopening of the Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program!
On Thursday, June 3, 2021, we will begin a phased opening starting at our West Bloomfield location. We are welcoming back participants that were registered prior to the Pandemic and accepting inquiries for new participants.
Your generosity enables the Brown Program to engage people living with dementia in impactful and lasting ways. Make a donation to our Seeds of Hope fundraiser before it comes to a close on May 31!
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Last Sunday, Jewish Senior Life held its 28th Annual Eight Over Eighty celebration via Zoom. Attendees enjoyed watching Emcee, Ned Specktor, chat with residents and staff at Meer and Teitel, as well as interview Federation President, Matt Lester, CEO, Nancy Heinrich and JSL Board President, Deborah Rosenthal. Everyone on the call witnessed a moving and inspirational film about the eight honorees. To round out the event, all attendees participated in a virtual hora.
Thank you to our honorees, sponsors, and donors for making this an unforgettable year!
Relive the fun and enjoy the recording of our event above and explore our digital ad journal at the link below.
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GRATITUDE FOR OLDEST JEWISH AMERICANS BRUNCH |
Last Friday, our community celebrated its greatest generation, those 95 and older, at the Oldest Jewish Americans Brunch. The reviews are in, and we have received so much love from everyone who attended this virtual event. Here are a few of the special notes we received.
"Thank you to Jewish Senior Life and all involved with the Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish American’s Brunch for a beautiful virtual event! Next year, in good health, may we all be together!" Robin Trepeck, who attended with husband Lee and Grandmother Claire (101)
“Just wanted to thank you again for a great program. Mother loved it. The songs were great and we all sang along, mother being the loudest. Count us in for next year!" Bonnie Seligson, daughter of Honoree Elaine Serman (96)
“Such a beautiful program, Wela’s loving it! Thank you JSL." Rochelle Upfal and Honoree, Wela Upfal (98)
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Our staff at JSL are like family. Congratulations to these ladies, who have been a part of the Meer dining staff for the past few years, and are now graduating high school and attending university in the fall!
From left to right: Harmony Hall attending Michigan State University, Maleah Clark attending Wayne State University, Tegan Schott attending Michigan State University, Olivia Pratt attending Western Michigan University, and Allexis Wormser attending Michigan State University.
Meer Dining Services Manager, Laura Shields says, "We are so proud of these young women and appreciate their years of service to our residents here at Meer apartments."
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Lillian & Samuel Hechtman I Apartments |
Income based affordable housing featuring one bedroom apartments |
Contact Jackie Rosender
jrosender@jslmi.org 248-444-2430
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BEHIND THE MASK: Meet our Devoted JSL Family |
Marie King, Oak Park Campus Life Enrichment Director, lives in Shelby Township and has worked at JSL for over two years. She studied Mental Health and Social Work at Oakland Community College, Health Science at Marygrove College and Madonna University, and finally Psychology at Wayne State University.
Marie is married with 2 children. Her son is 5 and her daughter is 2. She also has two small dogs. She is inspired by the residents and enjoys seeing them happy. She finds joy watching new residents fit in, make friends, and get involved in activities. She loves cardio drumming and laughs, sings and dances with the residents. Helping others, laughing, learning, and being with family and friends makes her happy.
Marie finds purpose in her role, letting the residents know that she is available to them and important to her. She listens attentively as the residents share their life stories during ‘tea chat’. She is proud of her memory group who get excited when they accomplish something they didn’t think they could do. Marie says, “So many little moments bring tears of joy and my heart is full of satisfaction.”
She knows that people who are the crankiest, need the most love and understanding. She says, “If you come across someone difficult, give them extra love and support. The result will astound you.”
Marie shares that she is the worst cook on the planet. Her favorite food is her mom’s pasta salad. “After I had both of my kids, she came by with a huge tray of it. I’ve tried to make it, but I can’t do it like her.”
Marie says, “My hope is that we all get through this pandemic healthy and together. My dream is for my children to be happy and successful. My wish is that the residents of JSL feel important and valuable. My interests are traveling, true crime, podcasts, home decorating, musical theater, make up, board games, and making miniature dioramas. I love The Godfather – especially the second one. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed anything more than the Harry Potter book series. I love to go anywhere, road trips are especially fun, I hope to one day go on a cruise. And hopefully will travel or visit my sister in California after the pandemic ends. My exercise these days is running after two small children or dogs depending on the day. I try to sleep as much as possible!”
Marie says, “I have never felt a stronger sense of belonging than I do here at JSL. From my very first day I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be, doing exactly what I was meant to do.” Marie, we are so happy you work at JSL. Thank you for all you do.
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Great news! JSL is now opening up for volunteer participation again! If you are a volunteer and are interested in returning, please contact Leslie Katz at lkatz@jslmi.org or 248-321-1437.
With the buildings opening up for volunteers again, this means a close of our "Bagels, Schmear, and Volunteers" Zoom meetings on Mondays. We thank you for your participation in these meetings and look forward to seeing you in person soon!
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SHOP JSL'S ONLINE BOUTIQUE |
Our statement necklaces are the perfect final touch to a summer outfit, and they're on sale! Find these and more stylish pieces at:
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Robbie Feldman, a 7th grade student at Hillel Day School, came up with a unique, COVID-safe Mitzvah project, by creating a short music video featuring three songs he performed on the piano for JSL residents to enjoy. Robbie is the son of Melissa and Bradley Feldman, and Julie and Michael Gold. Robbie’s Bar Mitzvah is taking place on May 29, 2021, at Adat Shalom Synagogue. |
Everything But The Bagel Quiche
Ingredients
1 premade pie crust, defrosted
1 large red onion
1 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
6 ounces (170 grams) lox
1 tablespoon capers, roughly chopped
2 ounces (55 grams) cream cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon everything spice
Directions
1)Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
2)Slice the onion very thinly and place in a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water on top and allow to sit for 30 seconds. Drain well.
3)Sprinkle half the cheese on the pie crust, then add the onion slices. Slice the lox and add it on top of the onion, then sprinkle with capers.
4)Dot the top with cream cheese (chopped, if it’s block cream cheese, or small dollops if it’s whipped). Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
5)Combine the eggs and milk and pour over the quiche. Sprinkle with everything Spice and bake for 45 minutes or until completely set.
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
Pawns on the Chessboard
Chess remains my favorite game. I am spending quality time teaching my grandchildren its many strategies. Chess is a game full of wisdom. It begs us to glean its lessons in our daily lives.
In the game of chess, there are two categories of pieces: the officers (king, queen, knight, bishop, rook) and the soldiers (pawns). The officers can jump with great strides and move in all directions, covering much ground quickly, while the soldiers can only move forward one square at a time.
When a soldier achieves his goal and reaches the other side of the board, he becomes elevated to any rank, even that of the queen. However, he cannot become a king, for there is only one king in the game.
We find a parallel between the game of chess and our relationship with our Creator. The person who embodies the soul is likened to the “simple soldier,” slow-paced and deliberate. Although the soldier often advances one small step at a time, their hidden powers enable them to achieve their goal and attain a high spiritual level.
See how the game of chess sheds light on life while helping all of us to emerge as winners.
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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