LILLIAN & SAMUEL HECHTMAN II APARTMENTS | Discover Jewish Senior Life! | |
Contact Jackie Rosender
248-444-2430 jrosender@jslmi.org
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When I purchase new books, I don’t always begin at the beginning. I like to open a random page somewhere in the middle of the book. I often find messages that seem to have been written just for me. After I acquired Rabbi Aaron L. Starr’s meaningful book “Don’t Forget to Call Home- Lessons from God and Grandpa on a Life of Meaning,” I turned to page 106 and began with the last paragraph on the page, under the chapter heading "The Benefits of Calling Home."
“From the moment that Gd chose Abraham, Gd has been encouraging humanity to “grow up”: to find agency in the midst of seeming powerlessness, to embrace life precisely because life is vulnerable. Certainly, as Moses demonstrated, we too grow up by caring for those who are in need. We also grow up by choosing, in the midst of all the craziness of our world, to live lives of meaning and purpose. We grow up by practicing gratitude and by seeking moments of joy. And we grow up when we realize the hope that Gd places on humanity and we make that hope our own.”
| JSL TO WINE & DINE DEC.12 | |
JSL is spicing up the festive season with a taste of Spain. Sommelier Paula Hartson will present wine pairings with tapas prepared by our culinary team. Sample wines, enjoy a variety of tapas and make yourself comfortable in our newly renovated Hechtman dining room.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Jewish Senior Life
Hechtman II Apartments
6690 W. Maple Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Valet parking will be provided. Seating is limited.
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Or call Beth at 248-592-5026
TTY# 711 or info@jslmi.org to reserve your space.
People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome.
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A Tale of Two Campuses
For anyone who doesn’t know this already, Jewish Senior Life has two campuses, one in West Bloomfield and one in Oak Park. Both are dynamic communities that depend on the constant influx of positive, caring energy from our volunteers. If you have an hour or a couple of hours, we’d love to have you come out and be a part of life here!
Current volunteer opportunities:
Oak Park
Prentis Café – Tuesday and / or Thursday 10:00am – Noon
Bingo – Thursdays 1:00-2:00pm
Speak Easy – Fridays 3:00-4:00pm, engage residents in topical conversations.
Painting / Arts & Crafts – Mondays 2:00pm, Tuesdays 3:00pm, Sunday afternoons. Help with a project or teach residents to paint.
Sit ‘n Chat – Weekdays, hours flexible, spark a conversation with a group of residents.
West Bloomfield
Memory Care visitors – Monday – Friday, any time 2:00-4:00pm. Help residents go for a walk and get a breath of fresh air.
Boutiques – Fridays 1:00-3:00pm at Meer.
Dining Room – Great job for teens – help serve dinner and visit with residents.
Tea Time – Monday – Friday – Serve a snack and stay to chat.
If you have an expertise or interest you’d like to share with JSL residents, let us know and we’ll build a program with you. If you’d like to come on out and make some new friends, please give me (Beth) a call at 248-592-5062, email brobinson@jslmi.org or fill out the form on our website and I’ll call you.
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Winter Wear Spring Cleaning
Believe it or not, we’re ready to start shopping for spring (that’s what a little snow does to a boutique buyer!), so we have a great sale going on coats to start making room. Last year’s spring / summer items are 50%, off and if you’re still doing your Chanukah shopping, toys are on sale too! Pictured is volunteer Candace Simons showing off our comfy (and stylish) new jammies.
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#1 Holiday Gift for Adults
Our residents shared some wonderful stories and together created a touching journey through aging that is both very personal and completely universal. Many of them lightened the gravity of older adulthood by sharing the humor they found in some of its challenges. No matter your age, you will enjoy getting to know this bunch and so will anyone you share this book with. (Ed note: Also, I’m not biased at all by knowing and adoring all the authors – Beth). You can get copies of "Don’t Write Me Off!” in our boutiques, at Prentis and Teitel, on Amazon and on our website.
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MARGOT & WARREN COVILLE
ASSISTED LIVING &
MEMORY CARE
| Come see the JSL Difference! | |
Contact Janet Antin
248-967-4240 jantin@jslmi.org
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Fleischman Residence had a gobblin' good time at a 'FRIENDSGIVING' celebration last week! There were games, gabbing and giggles, and gratitude in the air. Food and refreshments were shared, all facilitated by Fleischman Life Enrichment Director Gita. Staff and residents even colored a Thanksgiving canvas together, to be displayed for all to enjoy. | |
DANCING AND DINING IN DAZZLING
NEW DIGS
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Hechtman residents and JSL staff were positively gleeful as they sashayed into the new Hechtman dining room during its grand opening this week. Everyone enjoyed the sounds of Big Band Express and sampled small plates prepared and served by JSL Dining Services, proud to feed the group of more than 100.
"We are so proud of our new Sandberg Dining Room addition and our Fireside Lounge area," Hechtman Administrator Melissa Morton said. "We appreciate our residents and want to thank them for their kindness and patience during our renovation. The Grand Opening was a great success, with so many smiling, happy residents all looking wonderful and they danced the night away! Wine was served and enjoyed by many and we are all looking forward to being together again and enjoying dinner with one another."
CEO Nancy Heinrich welcomed everyone, speaking of the importance of both Hechtman I and II dining together for the first time since the renovation began. It was a night to remember for all of the smiling-faced residents who came dressed to impress in their fine-feathered attire.
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Eggs with Dill, Feta & Peppers
An eggcellent choice at any time of the day. Whip up this light and tasty dish for brunch, lunch or dinner! It’s super easy, and won’t leave you feeling greasy.
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Happy Feet, Holiday Style
This 15-minute walking workout will rack up 2000 steps and strengthen your cardiovascular system, and get you in the holiday spirit! The exercises also include simple and fun dance moves. The pace of this workout is a little faster, but it’s most important to move at your level, enjoy the holiday music and have fun.
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DECEMBER FUN FACT
There’s only one letter that doesn’t appear in any American state name. There's a Z in Arizona and an X in Texas, but no Q in any of them.
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Edith Maniker
A 2018 Eight Over 80 Honoree, Edith Maniker, a Kindertransport Holocaust Survivor was the longest serving docent of the Holocaust Memorial Center. She lived at Meer Apartments and was a friend to everyone. Edith was a beloved volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Yad Ezra, and Darchei Torah.
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Rabbi A. Irving Schnipper
A 2009 Eight Over 80 Honoree, Rabbi Irving Schnipper always led with a kind heart. One of the original spiritual leaders of Congregation Beth Ahm, he also served as a leader with Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy, and Yad Ezra for many years. Rabbi Schnipper proudly served in the U.S. Army.
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May their memories be a blessing. | |
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
A Note on Compassion
You recently read the article I wrote about Donna Smilovitz z"l, wife of the well-known sportscaster Bernie, and mother of their sons Z. and J.
Shockingly, on October 7, 2023, she passed away at sixty-six years of age. She and I met twice per year and discussed important matters of which we were both engaged professionally. She was a wise and dignified woman. She had a soft spot for her many clients from around the country. She was drawn to the sensitivity and refinement of spirituality. She shared with me some great insights that could have been her personal portion of G-d’s unlimited Torah. We will miss her so much. May her memory bring peace and mindfulness (which she honed so well) to all those who met her.
The last text I received from her included a deeper meaning of the word “Compassion” – an area that we both utilized in our respective positions.
In her loving memory I wish to share it with you:
“Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.
Compassion is not the same as empathy or altruism, though the concepts are related. While empathy refers more generally to our ability to take the perspective of and feel the emotions of another person, compassion is when those feelings and thoughts include the desire to help. Altruism, in turn, is the kind, selfless behavior often prompted by feelings of compassion, though one can feel compassion without acting on it, and altruism isn’t always motivated by compassion.
While cynics may dismiss compassion as touchy-feely or irrational, scientists have started to map the biological basis of compassion, suggesting its deep evolutionary purpose. This research has shown that when we feel compassion, our heart rate slows down, we secrete the “bonding hormone” oxytocin, and regions of the brain linked to empathy, caregiving, and feelings of pleasure light up, which often results in our wanting to approach and care for other people.”
This was quoted from the Greater Good Magazine, Science-Based Insights for a Meaningful Life.
You don’t need to be a professional, social worker or therapist to practice compassion. Each one of us at every moment of life has the gift and opportunity to practice and to live compassionately.
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 recently recorded message.
Rabbi Dovid S. Polter Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program
Jewish Senior Life 248-592-5039 • dpolter@jslmi.org
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L’Chaim!
More than half of the residents who live in our JSL communities are considered low income or indigent. Your philanthropic support is essential to maintaining programs and services to help these older adults age with dignity and with a better quality of life. In addition, your gifts could significantly support the shortfall in the cost of pharmacy bills which are so vital to the residents’ wellness. We are so grateful for your generous gifts to Jewish Senior Life.
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Nancy Heinrich, Chief Executive Officer
Kara Powers, 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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This newsletter was created by Jo Rosen and Nicole Lupiloff
We’re human, prone to mistakes, so if we erred in our newsletter, please forgive us!
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People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome. | |
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Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit
Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus
6710 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322
A. Alfred Taubman Jewish Community Campus
15000 W. Ten Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237
Administrative Offices
28290 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034
248-661-1836
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