NORMA JEAN & EDWARD MEER APARTMENTS

Discover Jewish Senior Life!

Contact Amie Schulz

248-592-1146

 aschulz@jslmi.org

INTO NO MAN'S LAND

by Jo Strausz Rosen

During an afternoon visit to the Zekelman Holocaust Museum this past Sunday, we listened to Survivor Irene Miller speak about her experiences and purchased her compelling book, Into No Man’s Land, A Historical Memoir. Irene is a renowned author, a speaker, educator, and mediator. Irene details her objectives on her website irenemillerspeaker.com



Give a face to the darkest chapter of human history.

Promote tolerance and diversity.



Inspire positive action, including anti-bullying.

Empower people to overcome obstacles in life, by example.

We can read about her tireless and extraordinary efforts to combat hate.

“Irene Miller will take you on a survival journey little written and known about. You will sleep in the winter under an open sky on the no man’s land; you will freeze in a Siberian labor camp where the bears come to your door front. In Uzbekistan, you will live on boiled grass or broiled onions, and shiver with malaria. You will spend years in orphanages. When this is over you will wonder how a child with this background grows up to become a positive, creative, accomplished woman with a joy of living and love to share.”

EXTRA! EXTRA!

JSL IN THE

JEWISH NEWS

100 Years Young! Oldest Jewish Americans Shine at 'Greatest Generation' Party

Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish American’s Celebration was featured this week teasing a preview of the June celebration.

Don't forget to register your friends and family members who are 95 and older (by December 31, 2024) for the Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish Americans Celebration on June 21, at Adat Shalom Synagogue. The theme is The Greatest Generation: Under the Big Top, and in addition to a delicious brunch, we’ll have circus-themed fun, entertainment and goodie bags for the honorees.

JSL ON TV

JSL's Director of Residential Marketing and Community Relations, Tracey Proghovnick, was invited for an interview with Brooke Allen on her video podcast, “Caffeinated Conversations." The show was livestreamed on Facebook from The Beverly Hills Grill this past Monday. Previously Brooke toured JSL and fell in love with our lively community. She is planning to host her live shows from some JSL venues in the coming months.

FRIENDS

How would I describe the atmosphere at JSL in a word? FRIENDly!

I often walk from my office in Fleischman, through Hechtman and up the hill to Meer, and along the way, I run into residents, staff, volunteers, family members. We greet each other. We chat. A walk that would be 5 minutes in the dead of night is often 30 lovely minutes in the middle of the afternoon. The other day, a friendly “Go Blue,” turned into a long game of Jewish geography.

If someone comes into the boutique a stranger, they leave with friends. Introductions come free with each purchase (or without a purchase).

As the realization sunk in today that last week’s weather was just a tease, I was so happy to walk into the sunny Fleischman lobby, go order my Beyond Burger at Marvin’s Bistro, drop in on all the hustle and bustle in the boutique (where there are still lots of winter sweaters!), and generally forget all about the winter blues.

The roads are fine, so come on over, for lunch at Marvin’s or Krohlik Cafe, to check out our end of winter (hopefully) sales, to visit, or to volunteer.

We have lots of fun volunteer positions to fill on both the WB and the equally lively and sociable Oak Park campus. Volunteer slots are anywhere from an hour to three hours, any day. Call me to at

248-592-5062 for more info about:

• Prentis Pantry
• Flower Arranging
• Trivia
• Art / Craft activities
• Beading
• Bingo
• Walking or visiting with residents
• Discussion Groups
• Knitting
• Dining room
• Games

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Your FRIEND,

Beth Robinson

Director

FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life

248-592-5062

brobinson@jslmi.org

FEBRUARY FUN FACT

People are more creative in the shower. When we enjoy a warm shower, our brains are free to wonder and we experience an increased dopamine flow allowing for more creative thought.

FRIDAY FUNNY

EDWARD I. & FREDA FLEISCHMAN RESIDENCE

Come see the JSL Difference!

Contact Janet Antin

248-967-4240

jantin@jslmi.org

8 OVER 80

When we interviewed and filmed 2024 Eight Over Eighty Honoree, Sharon Alterman, we felt her vibrant spirit of dedication to the Detroit Jewish community both as an active volunteer and a Jewish communal professional. Her work beginning as a young teacher of special needs children at the JCC, led her to join with a group of parents, colleagues, and friends to help create JARC and she became one of the agency’s first presidents, still active 50 years later.

HOLIDAY OF LOVE

Oak Park Coville residents, Mark and Marvin, enjoyed spending their creative moments painting in celebration of the annual “Holiday of Love.”

At Fleischman in West Bloomfield, residents celebrated Hearts Day as part of Kindness Spirit Week. The day was filled with special moments of inclusivity, and love. Residents created heart-themed arts and crafts projects. JSL visitors, Morgan Kaufmann with her children, Henry and Sophie, hand delivered flowers and cards. Everyone enjoyed heart-shaped cookies and listened to classic love songs in the warm, cozy JSL community.

CAFE EUROPA

On Monday, February 12, six cantors from the Michigan Board of Cantors performed their annual concert for Detroit’s Holocaust Survivors during Café Europa at Meer Apartments in West Bloomfield. Café Europa is a monthly celebration, sponsored by JSL’s Program for Holocaust Survivors and Families, where Survivors enjoy time socializing with each other. Elizabeth Silver, a resident at Meer said, “The concert was beautiful and uplifting. We always enjoy this special afternoon together.”

LEARNING WHILE WINTERING

Staff and residents welcomed many new guests to Meer for an educational event, Taking Winter in Stride. Molly Petreanu, from our JSL Powerback Rehabilitation partners, educated the audience about how to stay safe walking outside during winter weather and she shared important, practical tips that we can all do to avoid slips, falls and other injuries.

For more information or to tour one of our communities, please contact:

Tracey Proghovnick

248-592-5048

tproghovnick@jslmi.org

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Marinated Eggplant and Zucchini

An Italian-Jewish appetizer, this is the perfect light winter dish. The persimmon adds a nod to winters in Israel and a bit of freshness and color as well.

AT HOME WORKOUT

This Chair Exercise program helps seniors and the disabled get a great cardio workout!