NORMA JEAN & EDWARD MEER APARTMENTS

Discover Jewish Senior Life!

Contact Amie Schulz

248-592-1146

 aschulz@jslmi.org

ATTITUDES

by Jo Strausz Rosen

When I get down or annoyed by someone or something, I often ask myself, what can I do to adopt a better attitude? Here’s what I tell myself: Seek out others who are positive thinkers – you know, the ones with the infectious smile, the can-do confidence with an offer of assistance, the gentle laugh or open-armed hug. The ones who listen to our woes then encourage us to be stronger and better.



I’m fortunate to work at JSL with a lively group of staff who not only get things done, but do so with joy, a positive attitude, and a little bit of magic. Not a day passes when I don’t hear good news stories from people who show and share their “attitude is altitude” behavior.

A DAY OFF FOR CAREGIVERS

Enjoy a day of massage, yoga, food, music and more while trained professionals engage with your loved one living with dementia at the Brown Center.

Sunday, April 7, 2024

10:30AM - 3:00PM

Soul Café

West Bloomfield

Space is limited

FRIENDS

Boutique Volunteer Nancy Triest Checks Out New Spring Fashions

As I'm writing this, the sky is gray, but not cold gray, warming up gray – finally – spring! (I know. It’s Michigan – I won’t get too excited). But yesterday, with the help of volunteers Rena Lebovitz and Sandy Kirsch, we got all our spring merchandise organized for our upcoming fashion shows. So I’m very excited about that, regardless of the weather.

Fashion Shows. 

We may not be spring chickens, but we’ll look like spring gardens in all our lovely, colorful spring garb. Even our sophisticated black and whites have a touch of floral! We’ve got everything from Khaki to sequins, and it will all be on display on the runway (and in the boutiques) on:

Meer: Tuesday, April 2 at 1pm in the Meer dining room

Hechtman / Fleischman: Wednesday, April 10 at 1pm in the Fleischman lobby

Come join us to see JSL in bloom!

We could use some expert help with make-up on those two mornings. Please call or email me if you’d like to help at brobinson@jslmi.org / 248 592-5062.

Seder Leaders. Last year, my personal favorite spring experience at JSL was leading seders for our residents. It added to my enjoyment of my favorite Jewish holiday immeasurably and we are looking for a few volunteers to do a lovely mitzvah on Pesach and lead some of our seders. JSL seders are at 4pm on April 22 and 23, and last 30-40 minutes. We have a Haggadah we use, and Rabbi Polter has outlined which pages/prayers should be included. Please call or email me to share this special experience.

Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish Americans Celebration. It is actually amazing how much some of our 95 and older friends are more like spring chickens than you might expect. Help us celebrate our older adults by registering friends and family members who will be 95 or older by December 31, 2024 as honorees for the Bessie Spector ^z”l Oldest Jewish Americans Celebration. Invitations will go out to registered honorees in May and the festive, circus-themed event will be Friday, June 21, 10:30 at Adat Shalom Synagogue. Register online at jslmi.org/OAB.

100 Years! Finally, next year marks an incredible anniversary for FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life. FRIENDS started life as the Jewish Home for the Aged Auxiliary, and next year marks 100 years since its founding. That’s one hundred years of volunteers working to make life rich and beautiful for our older adults! We will mark this incredible milestone with a special event, including a display of pictures through the ages. If you have pictures of you or someone else volunteering, please share them with us. If they are digital images, please email them to me at brobinson@jslmi.org and include the name(s) of people in the image and the occasion (if you know them). If you have print images, I will be happy to scan them.

-----------------------

Your FRIEND,

Beth Robinson

Director

Friends of Jewish Senior Life

248-592-5062

brobinson@jslmi.org

AT HOME WORKOUT

This 15-minute exercise video for older adults features a warm-up, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises, with a cool down.

THE MORE YOU KNOW MARCH FUN FACT

You get Goosebumps when you’re scared to make yourself look bigger. If you look at a cat that’s facing off against a dog, you’ll often see its hair standing on edge. But you don’t see the goosebumps hidden underneath their fur, which they also get when they’re scared. Goosebumps are a reaction to increased adrenaline, which is why we get goosebumps when cold or emotional. Although we don’t really need them now, our ancestors would have needed them when facing off against large beasts before the age of humanity began!

FRIDAY FUNNY

EDWARD I. & FREDA FLEISCHMAN RESIDENCE

Come see the JSL Difference!

Contact Janet Antin

248-967-4240

jantin@jslmi.org

EIGHT OVER EIGHTY 2024

Front, left to right - Nancy Kalef, Sharon Alterman, Sue Simon and back row - Alan Schwartz, Paul Goldsmith, Edie Broida, Barry Kaufman and Jerry Cook.

The ‘Great Eight’ together at last, courtesy of photoshop. Thank you, Brett Mountain, for snapping the photos during the Getting to Know You Luncheon at Meer Apartments with the delightful students and their proud parents and staff of Frankel Jewish Academy. There are so many great stories you will hear when you join us at the 31st Annual 8 Over 80 Gala fundraiser on May 19th at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Follow the link for more information on our website. Invitations will be mailed in April.

COMPLIMENTARY MEALS FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

Honor and celebrate our local Holocaust survivors and remember those who are no longer with us. Two of JSL's Meer residents will be speaking at this event.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

12:00pm

Temple Beth El

7400 Telegraph Rd.

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

BROWN CENTER HAPPENINGS

Above: Art is a meaningful opportunity for self-expression at the Brown Center. Recently, program participants created colorful artwork while expressing their individual personalities and style.

Below: The Brown Center co-sponsored a special dementia / Alzheimer's friendly matinee, organized by The J and hosted at The Berman. The one-woman play 'The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamar,' was shown to a full house. Dedicated JSL staff ensured that all the participants were able to attend this special event which everyone enjoyed.

www.brownadultday.org

MEER MOMENTS

ABOVE: The incredible Shmaltz Klezmer-Funk displayed enormous talent during a Purim concert for Meer residents. The six University of Michigan-trained musicians played trombone, saxophone, trumpet, bass guitar, drums and piano. The residents sang and clapped with the band as they played familiar Yiddish and Hebrew songs, and when it was over they received a standing ovation. Residents were heard saying, “It was a wonderful concert," "one of the best," "such talented young men," "could they come back to perform again?" 

BELOW: Meer residents dressed in Purim costumes for a lively party, sponsored by The Shul.

BELOW: Meer resident Donna Garmel was honored with a leaf on the tree of life at the Meer Resident Council meeting for her dedication to the recycling program. For several years, Donna has been encouraging Meer residents to recycle and she has grown a large program with a few fellow volunteers. They collect recycled papers, glass and plastic, and the Meer bus drives Donna to the site and helps drop off the items weekly. After receiving her leaf, Donna feels energized to continue this important volunteer program.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sweet Chicken Salad

Side or snack for upcoming springtime, this healthy, delicious recipe is great for leftover shniztel and lots of veggies!