I’m not trying to be an alarmist, but I am thinking about worst case scenarios for homeowners. I recently listened to the podcast How to Survive the End of the World and it got me thinking. Are we really prepared for the unexpected? This question brought me back to my childhood in West Bloomfield, where the lessons I learned about being prepared still stick with me today.
Although Jewish Senior Life is a diverse, inclusive community, many of our residents choose JSL for the heimishness, the kosher food, and the holiday celebrations. With Passover coming, we’re looking for a few volunteers who would like to lead a short seder in each building. We have a Haggadah and Rabbi Polter has created a list of which sections/pages to do. As someone who has done this for the past two years, I can assure you that it requires no special skills, only a desire to help give our older adults who do not have family seders to attend a caring Passover experience.
The times and dates we still need seder leaders for are:
Prentis
Saturday, April 11 at 1 pm
Sunday, April 12 at 2 pm
Fleischman
Saturday, April 11 at 5pm
Sunday, April 12 at 5pm
Fleischman Memory Care
Saturday, April 11 at 4:30pm
Sunday, April 12 at 4:30pm
We are also looking for volunteers to do Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat services. Maybe your family or your congregation would like to support JSL in this way?
Celebrating with residents: Rose Newman, Rhea Bass, Lee Weller
A Family Affair
Back in the 80s and 90s, my family could be found anywhere there was a Maccabi Games event. Detroit, Chicago, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Venezuela, Israel. We called it the family business. I think about it every Friday when long-time volunteer and former Auxiliary President Geri Margolis shows up with her daughter Andrea Margolis-Stillman to work in the Meer boutique.
As we’re celebrating our 100 Years of Volunteers history, we’d love to hear about any families who have been involved together at JSL. Please shoot me an email (and a pic if you have one) if your family has a multi-generational JSL volunteer story!
Cruising Through the Years
The Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish Americans Celebration will be held at Adat Shalom Synagogue on Friday, June 13 at 10:30am. This festive brunch celebrates members of our community ages 95 and up (by December 31, 2025). If you are or know someone who is 95+, please sign yourself or them up to be honored at this delightful community event.
Beth Robinson
Director, Friends of Jewish Senior
Life 248-592-5062 brobinson@jslmi.org
For more than 40 years, Americans have celebrated Black History Month during February. The precursor to Black History Month, began in 1926 when Black leaders dedicated the second week in February to recognizing the history of African-Americans -- a week chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14).
A Taste of Eight Over 80
This past week, I had the privilege of interviewing and filming the final three honorees. One of them, Rachel Yoskowitz, was born in Milwaukee, but her journey led her to Detroit and Congregation Beth Achim alongside her husband, Rabbi Herb Yoskowitz, after living in Baltimore and Houston where Herb had served in rabbinic positions. Indeed, they were wandering Jews and during our conversation, Rachel shared several pivotal moments that shaped her life of service and helping people.
Qline Media Founder Ayesha Qureshi led "Staying Connected," a social media class for seniors, last week at Meer Apartments. Meer residents learned about scams, protecting their privacy and were coached to use Facebook safely when they connect with family and friends.
TV Talk
JSL's Community Outreach and Education Coordinator Tracey Proghovnick was featured on both "Caffeinated Conversations with Brooke Allen" (top picture) and Fox2's "Fox Local Today" segment, (bottom picture) promoting JSL's many marketing events.
MID AFTERNOON MUSIC
Guitarist / Banjo player Ben Luttermoser serenaded some Hechtman residents, one of many musical activities JSL provides.
Last week during a meeting, Nancy Heinrich, CEO, surprised participants with a dish of Microwave Peanut Brittle from Kim with Insanely Good Recipes. While the recipe lists a teaspoon of butter, Nancy opted for a tablespoon to make it extra buttery. She reminds us that microwave times can vary depending on its strength. Nancy adjusted the times to ensure it wouldn't burn. Enjoy this delicious treat with her special touches.
This video demonstrates simple exercises for neck mobility specifically designed for older adults. These gentle stretches will improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and maintain balance. By incorporating these movements into daily routines, seniors can enhance their range of motion and improve overall well-being.
In Memoriam
Selma Goode: A Legacy of Justice and Compassion
A 2006 "Eight Over 80" honoree, it’s no coincidence that Selma's last name contained "Good." Known for her unwavering commitment to welfare and social justice, as well as her advocacy for the Jewish community, Selma embodied the very essence of goodness.
In the 1960s, Selma founded a welfare rights organization called "Westside Mothers," which focused on treating clients with dignity and respect. She was also an active member of The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) during the Civil Rights Movement, working tirelessly to uplift the underprivileged. Guided by her father’s strong Orthodox Jewish values, Selma lived by the belief that "the good of all people will inherit the earth, and everyone deserves a fair chance at a good life."
Throughout her life, Selma dedicated herself to the preservation of Jewish identity and continuity, while tirelessly advocating for social justice for all. Her work continues to inspire generations committed to making the world a better place for everyone.
May her memory be a blessing.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
Botany & Tu B’Shevat
Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees, marks the reawakening of the plant kingdom each spring. On a deeper level, the holiday symbolizes the human potential for growth and self-renewal in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Just as we observe the world around us, we can harvest wisdom from a simple tree.
A tree has three main parts - Roots, trunk, and fruit offer meaningful lessons.
Roots arehidden from view yet draw in the tree’s primary life force. Strong roots sustain the tree from harsh winds.
The trunk, branches and leavesrepresent Torah study and the fulfillment of mitzvot. As the tree grows in age and strength, so too does a person’s wisdom and actions.
The tree’s ultimate achievement is bearing fruit, which ensures its continuation. For a person, this fruit represents their deeds and their impact on others. Within each seed lies the potential to germinate a new tree from generation to generation.
A verse in Scripture reads, “Behold, man is like a tree of the field.” Our roots (faith), trunk (Torah study and mitzvot), and fruit (good deeds) mirror the growth of a tree. A person’s true completion comes not just from fulfilling their obligations but from performing good deeds daily and guiding others to do the same, creating a legacy that endures for generations.
Faith is the foundation of a person’s spiritual life. Without it, all other achievements are hollow. True growth occurs when a person bears fruit, influencing others to seek perfection and fulfill their divine purpose.
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
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.
