Shalom From Jewish Senior Life

JSL Weekly News & Updates

Come See What Makes Us So Special

RSVP by Feb.1 by email to Keri Guten Cohen at kcohen@renmedia.us

RECYCLE / REUSE / REACTIVATE

What is your passion?

Meer resident, Donna Garmel, is committed to saving the planet and dedicated to her mission to recycle paper, plastic, and glass. She distributes recycling bins to Meer residents including helpers Rose Fink, Helen Siegel, Nancy and Manny Kalef and Sylvia Sholder’s daughter, Shelley. All of them sort their papers and plastic bottles.

Donna visits two JSL buildings in West Bloomfield and collects the recycled materials, which she stores in her own apartment until she drives the bins to a recycling facility in Novi. In addition to this mission, she likes to stay busy and helps at Meer by folding and delivering calendars and newsletters each month. Her positive attitude is an inspiration to everyone. Donna is living her best Jewish Senior Life!

LEARNING THE ART OF

JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY

It is always a treat when we can learn about different cultures at JSL! The Japan Society of Detroit Women’s Club visited Hechtman, where residents participated and enjoyed a beautiful tea ceremony, learned about traditional Kimono and living a Zen life. Thank you to Anita, our translator and Mika and Tomoya, our presenters. It was truly a pleasure having you. Arigatou!

BENEFITS OF TAI CHI

After 71-year-old Ima Gardner fell in her garden, she stopped spending time among her plants, fearful she’d fall again. Ima, like most older adults who experience falls, thought taking time away from her usual activities would reduce her risk of falling. However, the opposite is true. The lack of physical activity that comes from not doing your usual activities often results in declines in balance and strength, making you more likely to fall.

Mary Blowers, Program Coordinator at JSL leads exercise classes with a variety of tai chi movements. Working on balance and strength gives our residents the extra tools they need to avoid falls. If you have a fear of falling , want to increase your strength and balance or simply want to try a new activity, consider tai chi, which is exactly what she does at JSL.

Tai chi is a centuries old practice that involves certain postures and gentle movements combined with breathing and mental focus. The movements can be adapted and done while standing or sitting. The National Institutes of Health says tai chi might be more effective than other forms of exercise in reducing falling and the fear of falling . In fact, a clinical trial found those people with Parkinson’s disease who practiced tai chi had improved balance and stability over those who did resistance training or stretching.

TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE

Looking for natural way to catch some Z's? Get to sleep faster and sleep more soundly by taking a night time bath before bed. Your body temperature will spike in a warm bath or shower. As your body begins to cool down, you’ll start to become drowsy, making it easier to nod off, sleep like a baby and wake up refreshed!

CELEBRATING A LEGEND

JSL would like to wish a special Happy 100th Birthday to Danny Raskin! A staple of the community and a reporter for The Jewish News for many years, writing articles on the many amazing foods, restaurants, and community events in the Metro Detroit community. Raskin was also JSL's Grand Marshall Emeritus for several years in our Walk of Ages event. L'Chaim!

EVERYTHING IS GOOD

Arthur Lipsitt

A poem from the beautiful booklet of poetry, "The Best of Arthur Lipsitt", written by past beloved JSL resident, Arthur Lipsitt.

I’ve heard it said it all depends

Upon your point of view

The happiness you get from life

And how things look to you

And the longer that I’m living

I’ve really come to see

That this is just as true a fact

As anything could be

If you always look for sorrow

Then you’ll have it seven-fold

If you go in search of rainbows

You will find a pot of gold

Lift your head and see the sunlight

Always walk upright - you should

And be grateful you are living,

And that EVERYTHING IS GOOD

HAPPY CAMPER DAY

If you walked around Fleischman on Thursday, you may have thought you were camping in the woods! Residents and staff donned flannel and bandannas, while the Fishbowl was complete with a tent, campfire, and trail mix, all for Happy Camper Day! Thank you to everyone who made this day special.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

This lovely illustration above was the cover for an invitation to the 48th Annual Meeting, October 24th, 1954. It features two residents approaching the Jewish Home For The Aged on 11501 Petsokey Avenue in Detroit. The sign that once greeted residents and visitors, now hangs in the Administration wing of the Fleischman Residence. History is all around us at JSL!