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TRAVELING LIGHTLY

TRAVELING LIGHTLY Terry the painter sent me a text. He says he’s ready to come to the house and begin 

FRIENDS OF JSL – CELEBRATING IRIS APFEL

FRIENDS OF JSL – CELEBRATING IRIS APFEL by Beth Robinson As I’m writing up materials for this year’s Lives Well 

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

GETTING TO KNOW YOU Often when older adults reflect on their lives, they recall moments of joy, loss, discovery and 

ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD

ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD This past week, several of our Jewish Senior Life team members attended the always inspiring 

Traditions and Togetherness – Celebrating Jewish Heritage at JSL

Jewish Senior Life (JSL) stands as a beacon of Jewish heritage, offering seniors a unique and enriching environment that celebrates 

THE RABBI’S GIFT

THE RABBI’S GIFT I rediscovered the importance of inspiration, faith, and community Wednesday night at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. With my 

INTO NO MAN’S LAND

INTO NO MAN’S LAND During an afternoon visit to the Zekelman Holocaust Museum this past Sunday, we listened to Survivor 

KEEPSAKES

KEEPSAKES Letters are a magical way for people who are no longer here to comfort us and bring us happiness 

THE LONG GOODBYE

THE LONG GOODBYE After our beloved member, Brenda, passed away this week, we began the process of mourning her beautiful 

INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY 1.27.24

INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY 1.27.24 In memory of the Holocaust, I want to share some notes I took on a 

THE GIVING TREE

THE GIVING TREE I periodically read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein to my grandchildren, as I read it to their parents, 

Celebrating Jewish Heritage and Culture

At Jewish Senior Life (JSL), nestled in the heart of the vibrant community, the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage and 

DON’T STOP BELIEVING

DON’T STOP BELIEVING I recently discovered and have become obsessed with the amazing piece of art (above) that I shared 

WHO AM I?

WHO AM I? How often do you ask yourself, “Who am I? How am I? What am I thinking about, 

LIVING LIVES OF MEANING

LIVING LIVES OF MEANING  As we contemplate life in 2024, I hope each of us can lean into making more 

GIVING

GIVING The purpose of giving Tzedakah is to sanctify ourselves and to help us lead more elevated and spiritual lives. 

HOW TO KNOW A PERSON

HOW TO KNOW A PERSON At a holiday gift exchange with one of my monthly book clubs, I was fortunate 

Volunteering and Giving Back in the Community

The holiday season is often synonymous with joy, festivity, and the spirit of giving. In senior living communities, this time 

CHANUKAH

CHANUKAH The holiday of light and hope began Thursday, December 7, as our brothers and sisters in Israel battle to 

RABBINICAL WISDOM

RABBINICAL WISDOM When I purchase new books, I don’t always begin at the beginning. I like to open a random 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING I hope everyone enjoyed a special gathering in honor of Thanksgiving. I felt lucky to host the annual 

Celebrating Heritage: The Heartbeat of Family Traditions at Jewish Senior Life

In the heart of our community at Jewish Senior Life, the echoes of tradition and the warmth of heritage resonate 

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS I googled TW3 and hummed along with the theme song from the 1962 TV 

JSL IN DETROIT FREEP PRESS: LIVES WELL LIVED 2023, “DON’T WRITE ME OFF”

Neal Rubin: Metro Detroit seniors become authors with new book about older adulthood CLICK HERE for the story.

REJOICE WITH THE BRIDE AND GROOM

REJOICE WITH THE BRIDE AND GROOM I’m thinking about recent newlyweds Daphna Heisler and Jared Hoffman, whose joyous wedding we 

STRESSED?

STRESSED? Who isn’t? The world is in pain and so are we in response. As we follow recent news, we 

Rich Culture, Vibrant Lifestyle, and Culinary Delights

At Jewish Senior Life, senior living communities are not just about a place to reside; they’re an opportunity to embrace 

ISRAEL

ISRAEL From 2000 to 2008, I proudly worked on behalf of the Technion Institute of Technology as a director for 

LETTERS FROM THE PAST

LETTERS FROM THE PAST We are so worried about our families and friends and all who are suffering during these 

FINDING TIME

FINDING TIME In her book, Women Holding Things, author and artist Maira Kalman paints colorful images of the women in her 

IF

IF “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced 

GIVING

GIVING As a longtime fundraiser for many wonderful causes, I have learned so much from many of my mentors about 

GRATITUDE

GRATITUDE At Jewish Senior Life, as we anticipate Yom Kippur, The Jewish Day of Atonement, memories of our parents and 

Celebrating Heritage and Modern Senior Care

Jewish Senior Life stands as a beacon of faith-driven senior care, offering a unique blend of time-honored Jewish traditions with 

ROSH HASHANAH 5784

ROSH HASHANAH 5784 In preparation for and during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we search our souls. And we do 

ELUL REFLECTION

ELUL REFLECTION The month of Elul is the time of year leading up to the High Holidays when we as 

LABOR DAY

LABOR DAY JSL honors our hard working and devoted staff on Labor Day and every day. On Monday, September 4, 

REBOOT

REBOOT As we prepare for the High Holidays during the sacred Jewish month of Elul, we can search our souls, 

GROWING OLDER

GROWING OLDER You’re telling a story and feeling the joy as you look into the eyes of those around you 

JSL ON CBS DETROIT

JSL ON CBS DETROIT Tracey Proghovnick, Director of Residential Marketing and Community Relations for the Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan 

CHOICE

CHOICE By Jo Strausz Rosen I recently read The Choice, Embrace the Possible, a memoir by 95-year-old Dr. Edith Eva 

INVEST IN WELLBEING

INVEST IN WELLBEING By Jo Strausz Rosen How do we invest in our well-being, and what are the returns to 

JSL ANNUAL MEETING SPEECH, CEO NANCY HEINRICH: THE POWER OF PURPOSE

JSL ANNUAL MEETING SPEECH, CEO NANCY HEINRICH: THE POWER OF PURPOSE JSL is so proud of our CEO, Nancy Heinrich. 

BEING. BELIEVING. BELONGING.

BEING. BELIEVING. BELONGING. By Jo Strausz Rosen After meeting late in life through an online dating site, then falling head 

MEDITATION

MEDITATION By Jo Strausz Rosen At JSL Fleischman Residence, the Life Enrichment Coordinators, and volunteer practitioners of reiki, mindfulness and 

ACTIVE AGING

ACTIVE AGING By Jo Strausz Rosen We are not the only ones who have been drumming the point home that 

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month The significance of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month cannot be overstated. This month-long 

THE PROVERBIAL GOLD AT THE END OF THE PRIDE RAINBOW

THE PROVERBIAL GOLD AT THE END OF THE PRIDE RAINBOW By Nicole Lupiloff JSL is proud to provide inclusive residential 

TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE

TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE By Jo Strausz Rosen We gratefully appreciate so many community volunteers who spend their time supporting 

POWER OF PURPOSE

POWER OF PURPOSE By Jo Strausz Rosen Arlene Frank recently published a poem with a story in Nu?-Detroit. They speak 

DO SOMETHING

DO SOMETHING By Jo Strausz Rosen We named the theme for this year’s JSL Annual Meeting The Power of Purpose. 

SHAVUOT

SHAVUOT By Jo Strausz Rosen Shavuot falls after a verbal counting of the 49 days between the Jewish holidays of 

THE VILLAGE EFFECT

THE VILLAGE EFFECT By Jo Strausz Rosen A few years ago, I was fortunate to meet the fabulous Brené Brown, PhD, 

COUNTDOWN TO 8 OVER 80

COUNTDOWN TO 8 OVER 80 By Jo Strausz Rosen Last year, during an unexpected COVID 19 breakout at JSL, we 

MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS’ MONTH

MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS’ MONTH By Jo Strausz Rosen Recently JSL’s Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, Barbra Giles, flew to 

THE JSL CZECH MEMORIAL SCROLL #749

THE JSL CZECH MEMORIAL SCROLL #749 By Jo Strausz Rosen I traveled to Beachwood, Ohio, on Sunday, April 23, 2023, 

NEVER FORGET

NEVER FORGET By Jo Strausz Rosen Yom HaShoah services were held on the campuses of JSL, led by Dr. Charles 

8/80 SPOTLIGHT: RICHARD KRUGEL

8/80 SPOTLIGHT: RICHARD KRUGEL By Jo Strausz Rosen For 80 years, Richard Krugel has celebrated his birthday on Valentine’s Day. 

8/80 SPOTLIGHT: ROZ GARBER

8/80 SPOTLIGHT: ROZ GARBER By Jo Strausz Rosen Former Detroit Public Schools teacher Roz Garber has a witty and self-deprecating 

A CRASH COURSE IN JEWISH ESSENTIALS

A CRASH COURSE IN JEWISH ESSENTIALS By Jo Strausz Rosen Members of our diverse JSL staff have been thoroughly enjoying 

SARA BERMAN’S CLOSET

SARA BERMAN’S CLOSET By Jo Strausz Rosen On a recent escape to Sarasota, I visited the Sarasota Museum of Art 

POETRY IN AGING

POETRY IN AGING By Jo Strausz Rosen Older adults sometimes find themselves feeling invisible, or irrelevant, or insecure. Some of 

MAKING THE CHOICE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

MAKING THE CHOICE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE By Jo Strausz Rosen Last year, Rabbi Polter, JSL community chaplain came to 

WHAT SETS US APART

WHAT SETS US APART By Jo Strausz Rosen When someone asks what I do for a living, my short “elevator 

RULES FOR AGING

RULES FOR AGING By Jo Strausz Rosen The writer Roger Rosenblatt, editor-at-large of Time, Inc., winner of two George Polk 

FINDING JOY, BALANCE AND MEANING

FINDING JOY, BALANCE AND MEANING By Jo Strausz Rosen It can be difficult to deal with darkness and lean into 

THE CRISIS THAT WASN’T

THE CRISIS THAT WASN’T. By Jo Strausz Rosen Fleischman Residence and Hechtman Staff got creative quickly when we received the 

CPR CERTIFIED

CPR CERTIFIED By Jo Strausz Rosen Imagine you’re at a family dinner and one of your relatives suddenly stops breathing. 

HARVESTING ELDERHOOD

HARVESTING ELDERHOOD By Jo Strausz Rosen Richard Alpert aka Ram Dass, born in 1931, was a beloved spiritual author and 

7 Ways Senior Communities Promote Health & Wellness

7 Ways Senior Communities Promote Health & Wellness As people age, their mental and physical performance and capabilities tend to 

THE MESSENGERS

THE MESSENGERS By Jo Strausz Rosen The Hebrew word for angel is Malach, meaning messenger: one who is sent. When 

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES By Jo Strausz Rosen When I was a child, I used to spend rainy days sitting on the 

TELL YOUR STORIES

TELL YOUR STORIES By Jo Strausz Rosen As we approach the close of 2022, our thoughts turn to our parents, 

KVELLING

KVELLING By Jo Strausz Rosen It’s time to Kvell about JSL! There are many 80+ year old menschen in our 

The Benefits of Lifelong Learning in Older Adults

The Benefits of Lifelong Learning in Older Adults Seniors occasionally need help learning new things. The National Institute On Aging’s 

Be The Light

Be The Light By Jo Strausz Rosen As December 2022 draws to a close, we are so grateful to each 

TWO JSL Features In This Week’s Jewish News

This Week’s Jewish News Features TWO JSL Stories: Lives Well Lived Fashion Show and Janet Antin: A Life In Service 

Philanthropy, Extra Foam: New JSL Coffee House

Philanthropy, Extra Foam: New JSL Coffee House By Jo Strausz Rosen Jewish Senior Life celebrated the grand opening of the 

Hanukkah Gift Ideas

Hanukkah Gift Ideas Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is an eight-day Jewish celebration. It marks the miraculous victory of the Maccabees, Jewish 

As Good As It Gets

As Good As It Gets By Jo Strausz Rosen I want to take a moment this week to give a 

Gifts For Grandchildren: Holiday Gift Guide

Gifts For Grandchildren: Holiday Gift Guide Holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate special occasions with our loved ones, and 

Count Your Chickens

Count Your Chickens By Jo Strausz Rosen One of my favorite stories is about Sarah, an aging, newly widowed mother, 

Heart Healthy Foods For Seniors

Heart Healthy Foods For Seniors According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease kills more people 

The Brown Center Arts Programs

The Brown Center Arts Programs By Jo Strausz Rosen Weekly art classes at The Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community 

The Magic of Friendly Visits

The Magic of Friendly Visits By Jo Strausz Rosen Recently on a particularly gorgeous fall day, I took a walk 

Raising Awareness About Aging And Ageism

Raising Awareness About Aging And Ageism By Jo Strausz Rosen I just reread, This Chair Rocks – A Manifesto Against 

Blessings

Blessings By Jo Strausz Rosen Sometimes my brain gets overwhelmed by thinking big and overloads with all the “stuff” of 

Kitchen Table Wisdom

Kitchen Table Wisdom By Jo Strausz Rosen Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., is a clinical professor of Family and Community Medicine 

The Bustling Brown Center

The Bustling Brown Center By Jo Strausz Rosen Activities during the Jewish Holidays at The Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish 

Be Extraordinary

Be Extraordinary By Jo Strausz Rosen At 101, Fashionista, Iris Apfel has lived her life out loud. She maintains unique 

Sukkot 5783

SUKKOT 5783 By Jo Strausz Rosen Modern readers will find very few pages on Sukkot in The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia. 

Yom Kippur 5783

Yom Kippur 5783 By Jo Strausz Rosen Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, is considered the most important holiday of 

Shanah Tovah Umetukah!

Shanah Tovah Umetukah! By Jo Strausz Rosen As the Days of Awe approach, I find myself reminiscing, as I do 

The Brown Memory Care Pavilion

The Brown Memory Care Pavilion By Jo Strausz Rosen Located on the third floor of the Fleischman Residence, the Dorothy 

Why I Love This Place

Why I Love This Place By Beth Robinson   It was a busy day. They’re all busy at JSL, which 

Preparing For The Holiday

  Preparing For The Holiday By Jo Strausz Rosen In preparation for the New Year, 5783, I wish to reaffirm 

Living With Dementia

  Living With Dementia By Jo Strausz Rosen Are you or a family member living with dementia? What can the 

Flashback Friday – Here’s to Life

Here’s to Life This Flashback Friday is from a June 2017 JN feature on our CEO, Nancy Heinrich. by Vivian 

Signals

Signals By Jo Strausz Rosen John Stewart, singer, and songwriter with the famed Kingston Trio, once told Roseanne Cash, “We’re 

11 Signs It Might Be Time For Assisted Living

11 Signs It Might Be Time For Assisted Living For many, a discussion about transitioning a loved one to an 

At The Hop

At The Hop By Jo Strausz Rosen Thanks to a special donation from Andrew Mac of AMAC Pharmacy Services, the 

Social Isolation

Social Isolation By Jo Strausz Rosen A recent study led by scientists at the University of California, San Diego points 

What Drives You?

WHAT DRIVES YOU? By Jo Strausz Rosen Do you ever reminisce about childhood road trips with your family? My life 

Intuition

Intuition By Jo Strausz Rosen Sometimes, people choose a new and better path by following their intuition. Maybe you follow 

Make The Plan

Make The Plan By Jo Strausz Rosen I’m staying focused in the present but find myself thinking about the future. 

Inhale… Exhale…

Inhale… Exhale… By Jo Strausz Rosen We teach our residents at Jewish Senior Life that when our mind is elsewhere 

Happily, Ever After

  Happily, Ever After By Jo Strausz Rosen Sometimes when I remember my father, I think about how he painstakingly 

Independence Day

Independence Day By Jo Strausz Rosen When I was growing up, the 4th of July meant Summer was in full 

The Mensch in the Pink Stetson

The Mensch in the Pink Stetson By Jo Strausz Rosen Today is bittersweet because we say “Adios” to one of 

Sorting Through Confusion

Sorting Through Confusion By Jo Strausz Rosen How many times have we said aloud, “Oh no, not again,” as we 

The Gift of Your Story

The Gift of Your Story By Jo Strausz Rosen I’ve been thinking about the different ways in which we can 

Comfort

Comfort By Jo Strausz Rosen Another horrible day in the life of America captured repeatedly in the news. We are 

Bubbies and Zaidies

Bubbies and Zaidies By Jo Strausz Rosen   GRANDMOTHER by Kate Duignan When I was five you taught me how 

Paraskevidekatriaphobia

Paraskevidekatriaphobia By Jo Strausz Rosen On Friday the 13th some people find themselves worrying. They avoid flying, crossing paths with a 

Happiness

Happiness By Jo Strausz Rosen Dr. Betsy Stone, PhD, felt waves of joy and pleasure being with people in a 

Driving Miss Daisy

Driving Miss Daisy By Jo Strausz Rosen The ability to travel around town, going wherever we want – whenever we 

Small Kindness

Small Kindness By Jo Strausz Rosen In his book, The Path to Kindness, James Crews, also editor of How to 

Mah Nishtanah

Mah Nishtanah By Jo Strausz Rosen Why is this night of Passover different from last year’s? For those of us 

Rituals

  Rituals By Jo Strausz Rosen What are the rituals we create to commemorate the important milestones in our lives? 

Eldering… Becoming The Sage

Eldering… Becoming The Sage By Jo Strausz Rosen Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomie taught, “When we refer to someone as a “senior” 

Age-ing and Sage-ing

Age-ing and Sage-ing By Jo Strausz Rosen Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi was approaching his 60th birthday.  The realization came to him 

Powerful Purim

Coville residents Natalie and Marvin with their decorated Purim masks!   Powerful Purim By Jo Strausz Rosen Thursday, all the 

How We Heal

How We Heal By Jo Strausz Rosen In the 4th installment in a series on trauma, Dr. Betsy Stone reveals 

The JSL Difference

The JSL Difference By Jo Strausz Rosen Our sister agency 2Life Communities in Boston shares the following and we couldn’t 

Life Force

Life Force By Jo Strausz Rosen How many of us feel motivated to make changes after we read life affirming 

Concerns About Aging

  Concerns About Aging As 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day, the demographics of America are changing. This expanding 

Honoree & Student Introductions

Honoree & Student Introductions – Eight Over Eighty 2022 By Jo Strausz Rosen Yesterday JSL introduced the eight over eighty 

Post Traumatic Growth

Post Traumatic Growth By Jo Strausz Rosen This week JSL staff attended Therapy Session #2 with Betsy Stone, PhD. She 

Grandparents In Waiting

  Grandparents In Waiting By Jo Strausz Rosen For those of us whose grandparents are no longer here, missing them, 

Trauma, Peace and Jewish Spirituality

Trauma, Peace and Jewish Spirituality By Jo Strausz Rosen This week JSL staff participated in the first of a 3-part 

Fall Prevention

Fall Prevention By Jo Strausz Rosen Every second of every day an older adult falls. Tracey Proghovnick, Director of Residential 

Family Memories

Family Memories By Jo Strausz Rosen Gather your loved ones around and consider exchanging answers to questions that define who 

Eat To Live In 2022

By Jo Strausz Rosen We can make some important changes during these COVID years to flush out depression, anger, and 

Tech Helping Residents Stay Connected

Tech Helping Residents Stay Connected Residents at Fleischman Residence, Memory Care and Coville Assisted Living can access entertainment with the 

JSL – Live, With Us.

Since 1907, Jewish Senior Life has been fostering vibrant communities for our residents. No matter which of our many buildings 

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