Weekly News & Updates
Caring for Older Adults Since 1907
5781
By Jo Strausz Rosen
We welcome the Days of Awe and the New Year 5781. In celebration of defining moments in our lives during these uncertain times, I am blessed by the birth this week of my new grandson, Ami Rosen. My prayers of gratitude immediately went to G-d, tearfully thanking the Almighty for granting our family a healthy child. May Ami’s birth signal a good beginning, “where peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars, harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust …” will wake up minds and hearts. We are grateful for possibilities and anticipated joys. We feel so close to our loved ones yet must remain physically distant. The holidays suggest we use each meaningful moment for prayer to reflect on our losses and gratitude for goodness in the next year. How can we make a difference?

“On Rosh Hashanah, it is inscribed and on Yom Kippur, it is sealed.” May G-d inscribe us in the book of life for another year. Although none of us can know who shall reach ripe old age, it is within each of us to choose to celebrate every day we are given.

At Jewish Senior Life we honor the community and beauty of ripe old age in our residents. No matter the length of our days, the continued appreciation of the sanctity of life, the beauty and goodness in our world, of friendship and connection and above all, purpose, is possible.

As we enter this holy season, let us continue to reflect on what we have. Whatever the struggles or transgressions, whatever our age, we can change the course of our future, through the Torah prescription of repentance, prayer and charity.

Shanah tova u’metukah

May it be a good and sweet new year for us all.
KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED
By Marcia Mittelman

Meer resident, Dede Domstein, has been providing religious services for the residents on Friday nights and Jewish holidays. When COVID came and activities were cancelled, Dede began reciting the prayers over the intercom that pipes into every apartment. 

For the upcoming High Holidays, Dede will be providing services for the Meer residents. She and program coordinator, Myriam Cohen, compiled a condensed prayer book that will be distributed to each resident enabling them to participate.
 
In recognition and gratitude of her efforts, Meer presented Dede with a framed piece of art that is now hanging in her apartment. Meer Apartments and all of Jewish Senior Life are so thankful for her!
Residents in Oak Park are getting ready for Rosh Hashanah by decorating holiday bags! Everyone enjoyed using their artistic abilities to help bring in the new year. Find more lovely pictures of our residents with their bags by visiting "Keeping Our Community Connected: Stories From Residents, Staff and Volunteers" on our website.
NEW THINGS TO DO FOR ROSH HASHANAH
By Amy Deutsch

Every fall, the air gets cooler, the kids go back to school, and Rosh Hashanah rolls around. The holiday itself celebrates the Jewish new year, but also deals with some more serious topics, like renewal, forgiveness, and thinking hard about how to be a better person in the next year. There are many ways to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, from huge family dinners to going to services at synagogue to eating apples and honey.

But what if you and your family want to do something different this year? We know that not everyone celebrates in the same way, so we’ve come up with a list of our favorite Rosh Hashanah-y activities that are great to do with young kids. Try one out, and if all goes well, you could have a new family tradition on your hands.
FREE ONLINE CLASSES
Senior Planet is offering free classes online to anyone 60 and older! Take part in morning stretches and fusion workouts, or learn about podcasts and how to spot fake news. Check out the full list of upcoming classes in the link below.
11 BENEFITS OF CUTTING CAFFEINE
By Elizabeth Millard

Caffeine is the most widely used stimulant in the world, and although previous research has shown it can perk up your cognitive function — improving reaction time, for example — other studies have suggested there may be ample advantages to cutting back, or even going caffeine-free altogether. Here are some of the top benefits you may enjoy if you decide to kick caffeine.
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT
By Jo Strausz Rosen

Marty Price, an attorney in the field of Restorative Justice, has resided at JSL Prentis Apartments in Oak Park for the past year. Charlotte, North Carolina was his former base station as he traveled the globe for pleasure and purpose, teaching Restorative Justice in Argentina, and Chile and then to India, where he lived in several places over six years.

Marty says, “Restorative Justice has a different understanding of crime. We come to know crime as a violation of laws and law breakers who must be punished. Restorative Justice instead recognizes and understands that crime is a violation of other people and the other things. Our typical justice system doesn’t care that crime causes harm and does damage. Punishment cannot in any way rectify the harm or fix the damage. So how can people restore justice to this situation?”

Marty loves life at JSL, “battened down tightly as a sailing ship in a gale wind. I can’t imagine any other place I could be safer than I am now,” he says confidently. He loves the 9th floor view from his apartment, filled with an abundant collection of items from his world travels.

He hangs out with some of the other folks, social distancing and helps others with difficulties using their iPads, computers and smart phones. Marty even assisted JSL with identifying issues related to Wi-Fi and he looks forward to this installation across all campuses.

Marty has been married twice and doesn’t have children but stays in touch with his brother and sister in law and their children who reside in Ferndale throughout Oakland County.

He listens to complaints about the Pandemic and life from residents and feels fortunate he can get out by bus to pick up favorite gluten free food items to his liking.

Marty is a member of T’chiyah, with Rabbi Alana Alpert. Services are held at the Mondry Building on the Oak Park Campus. He is also active in Detroit Jews for Justice. We are glad Marty has found a home at Jewish Senior Life!
Assist With Outdoor Visits
Help oversee outdoor social distanced visitations for residents with family and friends. Volunteers will be trained to guide these visits safely.

Visitation hours and days are:
Fleischman 11-3 M-F
Meer 10:30-3:45 M-F
Hechtman 10-3 M-F
Prentis 10-Noon and 1-3 M-F
Teitel 10-Noon and 1-3 M-F

For questions and additional information please contact Leslie Katz at 248-592-5062 or lkatz@jslmi.org

Grocery Shop For Our Residents
While out grocery shopping for yourself, please consider this mitzvah opportunity and assist our isolated residents in Oak Park by shopping for them. Volunteers will be given a resident’s shopping list and will be reimbursed for these purchases. Once completed, drop the bags off at the front desk and our onsite staff will deliver them to the resident. Contact Leslie Katz at 248-321-1437.
Help support JSL while looking fabulous this fall with our wide selection of discounted jackets! Shop this and other great deals on:

RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Honey Granola Cups

INGREDIENTS
  • 1½ cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup crushed bran flake cereal
  • 1 cup chopped nuts of choice (for nut allergies, use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin)
  • ½ cup chopped dates (optional) 
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil 
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ¼-½ cup honey (depending on how sweet you like it)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt 

PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 325℉. 
2. Use cooking spray to grease a muffin tin.
3. In a large mixing bowl, use a large spoon to mix all ingredients together until fully combined. 
4. Press ⅓ cup portions into greased muffin tins. 
5. Bake for twelve minutes. 
6. Remove from oven and press mixture with back of a spoon. Allow to cool for twenty minutes. 
7. Store in covered container for a week. 

FILLING OPTIONS:
1. Yogurt and fresh fruit 
2. Ice cream and chocolate sauce 
3. Apple pie filling 
4. Macerated berries 
 5. Fill with honey, serve with apples on the side

This recipe is from jamiegeller.com
FRIDAY FUNNY
JSL IS ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM!
Follow JSL on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates on what is going on at our campuses. Leave a like and comment while you're there too!
SHABBAT SHALOM & SHANA TOVA
Enjoy The Maccabeats singing "Bashana Haba'a," a song of hope for the year to come.
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!
Shabbat Shalom & Shana Tova
Nancy Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer
Jennie Klepinger, Chief Financial Officer
Barbra Giles, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives
Dianne Azzopardi, Executive Director, Human Resources
Ron Colasanti, Executive Director, Dining Services
Gregg Leshman, Executive Director, Residential Operations
Jo Strausz Rosen, Executive Director, Development
People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome.
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