Resources-and-News-Caregivers-Families - Jewish Senior Life of MI

JUGGLING FOR A CAUSE

May 15, 2025 No Comments

It was 3:00 a.m. when I sat up in bed, awakened by a dream of my father juggling. He often kept weighted cloth balls in his pockets and would juggle three while balancing on a Bongo Board. In that moment, I realized: I, too, am a juggler. Aren’t we all? To juggle is to defy gravity, three or more balls suspended midair, moving in a rhythm only the juggler understands. Our hands don’t chase the balls; they anticipate them. The

THE TREASURE HUNT

May 9, 2025 No Comments

Some people are always searching for a better way to live. They question if they are fulfilled in their work or content with their partner. Hunting for something “better” or different. Searching for more peace in the moment. We scroll, read, listen, analyze, judge, hoping that somewhere out there is the key that will unlock the version of life we’ve imagined. But in all that searching, it’s easy to miss what’s right in front of us. Life is constantly trying

STILL SHE ROSE

May 2, 2025 No Comments

It could happen to any of us. Nina was a fortress in a world that often underestimates older adults. At 93, she still lived alone in the colonial she’d bought after her divorce. Her house was her badge of independence, of survival. She walked her terrier, Max, twice a day, paid every bill with precise timing, and cooked her own meals. When friends asked her secret, she’d smile and say, “I just keep moving.” This was more than a motto;

THE LIFE IN JEWISH SENIOR LIFE

September 6, 2024 1 Comment

THE LIFE IN JEWISH SENIOR LIFE Nestled among the green spaces and wetlands of West Bloomfield, Meer Independent Living Apartments are a haven for those older adults who have spent full lives in pursuit of knowledge and Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. At Jewish Senior Life, the often-busy days pass in punctuated rhythms of activity. Meer is a place where residents are empowered to share their expertise and experiences with others. Shirley Benyas, 97, performed and acted at local theatres

LIVING WITH COGNITIVE DECLINE

August 30, 2024 No Comments

LIVING WITH COGNITIVE DECLINE At JSL, there is a concerted effort in focusing on healthy aging activities. Resident Service Coordinators on each campus strive to work closely with residents and their families helping them combat signs of dementia which require a holistic approach including lifestyle adjustments, cognitive activities, and sometimes medical intervention. The Alzheimer’s Association alz.org and The National Institutes of Health nih.gov provide helpful information on their websites. Yesterday I attended part one of a free educational series ‘Living

THE SKLART

August 9, 2024 No Comments

THE SKLART This week, members of the family of Leo Sklarzl gathered to celebrate the installation of a giant metal piece of kinetic art he designed that now resides on Ring Road in West Bloomfield on the campus of Meer Apartments at JSL. The crowd took some time to speak of Leo’s many acts of gemillut chassidim, acts of loving kindness that brought him immense pleasure. His son, David spoke of Leo as a joy maker who loved to surprise

A LEGACY OF LETTERS

August 1, 2024 4 Comments

A LEGACY OF LETTERS During creative writing classes at JSL, residents choose any number of real-life topics to base their stories upon. Often subjects are explored again and again. In my continuing efforts to be a cheerleader for estate planning, I think back to 1971 and picture my father, sitting at his treasured oak desk with its intricate carvings and polished surface. It had seen decades of family life – bills, correspondence, love letters, and now, a will. Lloyd was

BELOVED DOG

July 4, 2024 No Comments

BELOVED DOG If you have owned a pup or have loved a pup, you will appreciate the book, “Beloved Dog” by Maira Kalman, illustrator, author and designer. She wrote: “When I go out for a walk, there is so much I see that makes me happy to be alive. Breathing. Not thinking. Observing. I am grateful beyond measure to be part of it all. There are people of course, heroic and heartbreaking, going about their business in splendid fashion…. There

AGING ONE DAY AT A TIME

June 28, 2024 No Comments

AGING ONE DAY AT A TIME I picked up Nora Ephron’s book, “I Feel Bad About My Neck and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman.” Her humorous essays elaborate on her strong feelings about aging, body maintenance, menopause, empty nests and life. We can all relate. This juicy quote says it all: “No one really wants to read anything that says aging sucks. We are a generation that has learned to believe we can do something about almost everything. We

KINDNESS BEFORE TRUTH

June 13, 2024 No Comments

KINDNESS BEFORE TRUTH We observed the holiday of Shavuot this past week. This holiday commemorates the 6th day of the Hebrew month of Sivan in the year 2448 of the Jewish calendar, (equivalent to 1313 BCE.) On this day, the Israelites received the Torah from G-d at Mt. Sinai. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory once said, “even though women are not commanded to learn Torah, at Mt. Sinai, G-d told Moses to give the Torah to the women first,

GRIN AND BEAR IT

May 23, 2024 No Comments

GRIN AND BEAR IT How often do we ask others, “So how are you doing?” after we learn they’ve recently suffered the loss of a loved one, or been diagnosed with cancer, or have had painful shoulder surgery? We’re asking sincerely because we care. Some people would rather not speak about a troubling event or situation. Others, given the opportunity, may want to share their woes. Whenever I walk the halls of JSL to visit with the residents, or call

HADASSAH L’DOR V’DOR

May 17, 2024 No Comments

HADASSAH L’DOR V’DOR This past Wednesday, Elizabeth Silver, and Sophie Klisman, two Holocaust Survivors who reside happily at Meer Apartments, were the featured speakers at the L’Dor V’Dor Luncheon for Hadassah of Greater Detroit honoring all Holocaust Survivors. Melissa Liverman brought her children, two Hillel students, and she shared her grandmother’s Survivor story, admitting to feeling great kinship with Sophie and Elizabeth. Over 150 guests supported the event in the tented outdoor space at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills.

Caregivers & Families