Shalom From Jewish Senior Life

JSL Weekly News & Updates

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CHAPLAINCY AT JSL

Another service of Jewish Senior Life is Spiritual support for Jewish Older Adults. The JSL Jewish Community Chaplaincy and Outreach Program is led by Rabbi Dovid Polter and Chaplaincy Program Coordinator, Joanne Kristal. They visit older Jewish adults on JSL campuses, in addition to seniors residing in nursing homes and in assisted living facilities, often in isolation without religious or cultural support throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area. Our Rabbi, Chaplains and volunteers conduct services, and facilitate Shabbat and holiday celebrations, deliver holiday parcels, conduct Memory programs; lead Passover Seders; facilitate Inter-generational programs and provide friendly visits.

Many dedicated volunteers from religious and secular schools, congregations and Jewish organizations play a vital role in reaching out to isolated Jewish elderly throughout the Detroit area. There is ongoing educational training, seminars and support of volunteers, who are matched with residents and facilities where they will be comfortable and make the greatest impact. For further information or to volunteer, contact Joanne Kristal, 248-661-2999 or jkristal@jslmi.org

TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE

Did you know sweet potatoes contain both vitamin C and beta-carotene? These two nutrients are linked to a reduced risk of knee and spine osteoarthritis. Chop sweet potatoes into chunks and toss with olive oil, cumin and ginger (two spices with anti-inflammatory properties) and roast them a healthy and delicious side dish!

WORK IT OUT

Meer Apartments regularly hosts a work out class for its residents to stay active, especially in this chilly weather! There are simple exercises anyone can do to prevent falls with better balance. To improve your balance and lower your risk of falling, try toe raises. Hold onto a chair for support, then rise on the balls of your feet. Hold 3-5 seconds and then lower your heels to the floor. Work up to three sets of 10 each day, one foot at a time and let go of the chair.

LOVE STORY

Crystal Weaver, 39, and her husband, Todd, 46, live in Royal Oak and work together at Meer at Jewish Senior Life. Crystal is Meer Dining Room Manager and Todd runs the Krolik Café. Married for 5 years after meeting at My Doctor’s Inn an assisted living facility in Sterling Heights.

Caring for older adults is their heartfelt passion and brought them together, caring for Jewish seniors in West Bloomfield for Jewish Senior Life. Crystal has been in restaurant food service over 25 years and loves it when Todd brings her coffee at work. Todd, with a background in Geriatrics and Psychology is amazed how Crystal can multitask at work and at home, entertain their families, raise their two children, 4 and 1, and be creative in the kitchen. She appreciates his love of cooking as he is her perfect sous chef at home. Crystal says Todd takes care of her by emulating what he saw growing up as his parents lovingly cared for his special needs brother, Russel. Todd, the consummate caregiver is kind, helpful and a true mensch . Todd loves that Crystal is dedicated to her work, determined to get things done, focused, fun and creative.

When she is working late at Meer, he videotapes the antics of their young children and sends them to her. She does the same, always considering each other. They make sure each week has a date night. Todd proposed to Crystal on Valentine’s Day with the poetry of Corinthians: “ Love is patient, love is kind….” Their wedding was held in the living room of his parental home and 9 months after their honeymoon, Logan was born, followed 3 years later by Layla. Crystal’s two other children, 17 and 20 from her former marriage, also help to care for the little ones. This blended Baptist family has a perfect Jewish Senior Life love story.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Borman Hall residents enjoying an animal visit, 5/25/1990.

TECHNION STUDENTS VISIT MEER RESIDENTS

Brilliant Technion Israel Institute of Technology PhD student, Avigail Landman explained how she and Technion researchers have developed a new method for the production of hydrogen from water using solar energy. The new method will make it possible to produce the hydrogen in a centralized manner far from the solar farm, cost-effectively, safely and efficiently.

Avigail works in the Nancy & Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program (GTEP). Nancy and Stephen Grand are former Detroiters who reside in San Francisco.

Avigail stands with Technion alumni Leora Shelef who resides at Meer with her husband Mordechai, also Technion Alum. Also pictured are Meer residents, Ayala Jedwab, Barbara Stryk and Edith Maniker and Technion Faculty of Materials Engineering student, Dmitry (Dima) Glinets. In 2017, Glinets was an Israeli Delegate to the United Nations 8th University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Bangkok, where he was one of 20 delegates out of 900 chosen to be part of the Symposium’s leadership team. At Technion he serves as a class representative and mentor for freshman students in the faculty.

“Being Technion’s emissary, being able to share my story and make friendships with so many great colleagues from all over the world, fills my heart with great pride,” he said in a statement.

Glinets hopes to pursue an MBA degree in the United States and become a leader in Israel’s tech economy.

“The greater goal of my career is to serve the state of Israel in the diplomacy field as well as technology and business.”

Also pictured is Exec Director of Detroit Chapter ATS, Joey Selesny. 30 Meer residents and staff attended this fascinating and important presentation from two amazing Technion students.

10 WAYS TO GET HEALTHIER AFTER 60

Source: cnn.com

Most baby boomers approach retirement age unwilling to follow basic healthy lifestyle goals established by the American Heart Association said Dr. Dana King, professor and chairman of the department of family medicine at West Virginia University, referencing his university's 2017 study comparing the healthy lifestyle rates of retired late-middle-aged adults with rates among those still working. " People do financial planning for retirement, but what about retirement health planning? " says King.

Here are a few ways to get healthier after 60:

1) Buy great sneakers.

2) Practice your balance.

3) Improve your breakfast.

4) De-stress wisely.

5) Practice resistance training.

6) Practice getting down on the floor and standing up again.

7) Challenge your speed.

8) Believe in yourself.

9) Tackle a project.

10) Embrace self-improvement.

Read more about how to better your health on cnn.com .

95 AND FABULOUS

Source: today.com

Fashion icon, Gloria Vanderbilt, celebrated her 95th birthday this week! Both her and son, Anderson Cooper, posted on Instagram to commemorate the milestone. She writes, " I do believe that it is only once you accept that life is a tragedy that you can truly start to live ... and, oh, how I have lived!" Click here to read more.