LILLIAN & SAMUEL HECHTMAN II APARTMENTS

Discover Jewish Senior Life!

Contact Jackie Rosender

248-444-2430 jrosender@jslmi.org

2025: A FRESH

START FOR CHANGE

by Jo Strausz Rosen

As we usher in 2025, our world stands at a unique crossroads. The choices we make today will influence everything from our global environment to the social fabric of our communities. For many, New Year's resolutions are a chance to make personal improvements. But in 2025, the stakes are higher than ever. This year, the actions we take can have a ripple effect that extends beyond ourselves, making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

We continue to witness the troubling rise in antisemitism, hate crimes, and religious intolerance worldwide. WE MUST PUT AN END TO ANTISEMITISM, HATE AND DIVISION. The New Year 2025 should be the year we take a firm stand against all forms of hatred and work to build a more inclusive society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live in peace and mutual respect.

FRIENDS OF JSL

Dear FRIENDS,

I want to wish all of you a wonderful 2025!

My year started in New Orleans, where I went to help my daughter, Emma, move. The French Quarter is always a festive spot, but particularly on New Year’s Eve. At 11:45pm Emma and I were very happily dipping beignets in coffee at Café Du Monde, and then we scooted out to watch the fleur de lis drop (NOLA’s answer to New York’s ball drop). As we walked through the quarter, celebrating strangers joyfully wished us a happy new year. The party was still in high gear around 1am, when I decided I needed to be sleeping. We made our way out to the fringes of the quarter and hopped an Uber.

Emma and Tess NYE 2024

I had no idea what followed until a friend in Michigan woke me up a few hours later to make sure I was alive.

I was awake immediately, with only the thought that when we left, Emma’s friend Tess was still at work in a bar on Bourbon Street. I was unable to confirm her safety until late yesterday afternoon.

Violence is inherently senseless. In no way does it serve a single living being. I’m honestly not trying to make sense of it. I can only think about it in terms of cosmic balance, and the only way to balance out hatred is with love. It’s highly theoretical, I know, but I believe that if we all pulled in that direction, loving everyone, wishing strangers a happy new year, pouring out the best in us, it’s all we can do, and it helps.

And that brings me back to JSL, where residents, staff, and volunteers regularly share our best, creating a warm and safe home for our older adults. Bravo to everyone here for pulling in the direction of loving cosmic balance. JSL is a special point of light in the universe because of you.

Ken & Esther Gold with their daughter, Dayna Elrom (left), at Volunteer Appreciation 2024

This year we're celebrating our incredible history of volunteerism - 100 Years of Volunteers. If you have pictures or documents that you'd like to share, we'll be creating a display to commemorate the special people who have pitched in over the last century. Visit our online form to share your volunteer stories and pictures.

Longtime boutique volunteer Rose Cooper in the Danto boutique.

If you’d like to spread a little love at JSL this year, please give me a call. I’d love to work with you to make the world a better place.

Beth Robinson

Director

Friends of Jewish Senior Life

248-592-5062 brobinson@jslmi.org

WEEKLY RECIPE

This winter squash and spinach pasta bake does the tasty warm-up trick in these cold winter months.

Healthy, easy to prep and delicious!

WORKOUT OF

THE WEEK

Improve balance and reduce the risk of falls with exercises that will improve agility and strengthen the legs and core. This workout is perfect for seniors, training the body to handle unexpected situations and improve overall movement.

MARGOT & WARREN COVILLE

ASSISTED LIVING &

MEMORY CARE

Come See the JSL Difference!

Now accepting applications for extremely low Income apartments

Contact Rick Goren

248-592-1155

rgoren@jslmi.org

EIGHT OVER 80

MIX & MATCH

How well do you know the 2025 Honorees?

Neil Satovsky

Michael Serling 

Rachel Yoskowitz  

Deede Auster

Nancy Jacobson

Barbara Bunny Kratchman

Michael Maddin

Mark Schlussel

ENJOY COOKIES + COCOA, AND

EXPERT ADVICE

Join us at Hechtman Independent Living for a cozy gathering featuring Nicole McAvoy from DOBI Real Estate, a “Senior Real Estate Specialist” dedicated to helping navigate the journey of home selling.

Tuesday, January 14th

11:00am - 1:00pm

6690 W. Maple Rd.

West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Space is limited. Please RSVP to Sales Specialist Jackie Rosender: 248-444-2430.

ZOOM WITH THE BROWN CENTER

Join the Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program on Tuesday, January 14th at 2:00pm for a complimentary Zoom presentation on the new Power of Attorney Act and learn more about the Brown Center, our dementia specific adult day program.

HOLIDAY SOCIAL, OP

Prentis (Oak Park) residents kicked off the end of 2024 and celebrated Chanukah with a festive Coffee & Donut Social! Everyone gathered to enjoy delicious treats and coffee from Dunkin Donuts, sharing laughter and warm wishes, in the perfect way to reflect on the past year and embrace the holiday spirit.

HOLIDAY SOCIAL, WB

Meer Independent Living (West Bloomfield) residents kicked off the end of 2024 and danced into 2025 with music from the 17-piece Big Band Express Orchestra. The linen-lined tables were adorned with New Year's centerpieces, and residents selected Cornish hens or salmon for their entrees. Later, everyone toasted to good health and world peace with sparkling wine for a night to remember.

There were female Gladiators. A female gladiator was called a Gladiatrix, or Gladiatrices (plural). They were rarer than their male counterparts. Gladiatrices served the same purpose of executing criminals, fighting each other, and fighting animals in Rome’s various fighting pits.

FRIDAY FUNNY