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 including the Fisher, Michigan Opera Theatre, and the Attic to name a few. She has retained her SAG membership. Shirley sang opera with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and taught music in the Detroit Public Schools for 31 years. She has been able to continue her love for theatre and Yiddish by teaching a Yiddish class and directing the Reader’s Theatre, composed of residents who act out scenes from an assortment of plays by famous playwrights like Neil Simon.
Ada Bandalene loves to swim and exercise. She worked at the JCC health club and joined Camp Tamakwa in 1949. From Lou’s assistant to Swim Director, Head Staff of all kinds and general spirit ambassador, Ada has worn many hats. She even imported her husband, Kal Bandalene, to camp to help run operations. At the age of 93, Ada leads a weekly exercise class at Meer wearing her false eyelashes and was recently featured on Channel 2 News with her indomitable spirit of warmth and enthusiastic healthy and joy-filled outlook on life. Every day is a new day if we can focus on learning new skills and enjoying some laughter.
Donna Garmel has always been an ambassador for the preservation of the earth. At age 96, she and Alex Goldberg, also 96, head the green recycling program at Meer. Once a week these resident volunteers collect bagged newspapers, magazines, flyers, and plastics. Once the items are gathered, they take them to a recycling center. Yes, they do, and they ensure everyone else does the right thing.
It’s these stories along with the relationships between the staff and residents that make life great for everyone. Rick Napper, Meer building supervisor leads the woodworking group. Bob the bus driver teaches a no-bake cooking class monthly and brings his buddies from church to visit with the residents. Robyn Flam, receptionist says, “Meer is more than just a place to live.” She and her cousin visit residents over the weekend because they are learning mahjong from the many resident players.
Life is busy at Jewish Senior Life. Residents don’t stop living when they move to Meer. If anything, they tap into their existing skills, use them and share them, and staff members promote and empower them to be their best selves.
Yesterday, from 11:00 – 12:30, a graduation “Siyyum” luncheon from the first LIVE and LEARN semester was held in the Meer dining room.
Attendees included all the resident participants, several grantors and community funders, professor instructors, JSL Board President, Jason Fisher, CEO, Nancy Heinrich and Wendy Handler, Director of the Live and Learn pilot program. “It was a great celebration,” said our CEO, who addressed the group with the promise of more classes beginning this month. For Heinrich “This has been a dream come true,” as she had been trying to find a way to bring university level learning opportunities to JSL residents for some time. Through funding from the Marcia Applebaum Older Adult Enrichment Fund, the Byron and Dorothy Gerson Innovation Fund, The Matthews Family Foundation and a key partnership with Oakland University, this dream is finally a reality, and the residents are loving it!
At Meer Apartments everyone can celebrate living, learning and friendship. Live (and Learn!) with Us!
Focus on the present and do something!
Shabbat Shalom.
